Although most high-end luxury sedans give buyers the option of all-wheel drive, Maserati ’s Quattroporte flagship sedan is currently only available in rear-wheel drive form. However, the company’s CEO has revealed that will change for the next generation of the sports sedan.
According to Maserati CEO Harald Wester, the next-generation Quattroporte sedan will be available with an all-wheel drive system, putting it on level ground with vehicles like the Porsche Panamera . The next Quattroporte is due sometime in 2012.
Wester also confirmed that the next Quattroporte’s platform will be used for all top-level Fiat- Chrysler vehicles, supporting earlier rumors that the Quattroporte will move to Chrysler’s updated LY platform. Essentially a reengineered version of the LX architecture that underpins the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 , the LY platform would give the option of all-wheel drive and could also help Maserati meet its 15 percent weight savings target. The current 300C is already 300 pounds lighter than the Quattroporte, with the LY-based version expected to shed a few more pounds.
Expect the 2012 Quattroporte to offer V6 and V8 powerplants, both mills backed by a anew eight-speed automatic transmission.
References
1.’Maserati flagship…’ view
