Maserati at Detroit and the report of massive sales increases for 2014.

Showstoppers the Ghibli Ermenegildo Zegna Edition and Alfieri 2+2; concepts that look to the future and confirm the Made in Italy luxury of the Trident. 

Continuing the unstoppable momentum of 2014, a year which was the most successful in the Trident’s century-long history, Maserati presents at Detroit’s 2015 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). In the spotlight, the range’s traditional blend of sports performance and “Made in Italy” exclusivity and the 2014 global sales results.

RECORD SALES IN 2014

In 2014, Maserati sold approximately 36,500 cars worldwide, an increase of 136% compared to 2013 and almost 6 times the sales figure for 2012. There was growth in all the main markets in which Maserati operates: the major milestone was achieved thanks to the sales volumes generated by the Ghibli, the brand’s first E segment executive saloon, followed by the Quattroporte, the luxury flagship saloon, and the exclusive range of GranTurismo and GranCabrio sports cars.

23,500 Ghiblis were delivered to the network, while the figure for the Quattroporte was 9,500 units. The total was completed by 3,500 units of the GranTurismo and GranCabrio models.

The American market, with 14,690 units and growth of 110% compared to 2013, confirmed its status as Maserati’s biggest market in 2014, with sales boosted by the Ghibli and Quattroporte versions equipped with the 410 HP Twin Turbo engine and Q4 all-wheel drive.

The second largest market in terms of volume was China, with 9,400 units and growth of 148% compared to 2013; the best-selling Quattroporte and Ghibli versions were those with 330 HP Twin Turbo engine and rear-wheel drive.

In spite of the widespread economic instability, Europe also recorded a large rise of 153% compared to 2013, with no fewer than 6,360 units sold. The market leading Quattroporte and Ghibli versions were the rear wheel drive versions with the 275 HP V6 Turbo Diesel engine.

Performance in the Asia-Pacific area (excluding China) was excellent, with 4,000 units, representing a 206% increase over 2013.

The results achieved in the Middle East were also very impressive, with 2,050 units sold and a growth of 144% compared to 2013. 

DETROIT AUTO SHOW

At Detroit this year, made-to-measure craftsmanship hits the road with the North American premiere of the Maserati Ghibli Ermenegildo Zegna Concept, which takes the stage alongside the stunning Alfieri 2+2 concept and the sumptuous yet versatile all-wheel-drive 2015 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4, now offered with a wider selection of product enhancements including new exterior colours, added content and trim options.

The Maserati Ghibli Ermenegildo Zegna Concept is the natural evolution of the partnership between these two historic Italian brands following last year’s very successful launch of the Maserati Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition (which was limited to one-hundred units). With Ghibli now leading the Trident’s success in North America, as the top selling U.S. model within the Maserati range, it was the perfect choice for the marque’s latest concept design innovation.

Trivero-based fashion house Ermenegildo Zegna conceptualized the bespoke Ghibli S Q4 in close collaboration with Maserati’s design and engineering team, applying unique content and material applications never seen before. The result is a saloon with a dynamic and contemporary look, fashioned for the detail-oriented enthusiast and tailored for connoisseurs of luxury. The Ghibli Zegna serves to give renewed life to a current product, and features an exclusive new colour, Azzurro Astro and 20” wheels in a colour developed ad hoc. 

The interior has been designed to offer the ultimate in style and distinction, with Zegna-inspired materials and trims with special contrast colour combinations using the finest Italian leather and 100% Italian natural fabrics.

The Maserati Alfieri is a cutting-edge 2+2 concept that has toured the globe to much praise from collectors, press, customers and enthusiasts alike. Created to celebrate the Maserati Centennial, Alfieri explores the stylistic heritage of the brand and anticipates future design trends. The Alfieri reveals a sportier nature than the current GranTurismo model, re-establishing Maserati's racing DNA. Maserati has confirmed that the Alfieri coupe will be introduced in 2016, with an Alfieri convertible to follow thereafter.

Also displayed on the stand is the MY 2015 Quattroporte S Q4, which is now offered with a wider selection of product enhancements including new exterior colours, added content and trim options. This winter season, Quattroporte S Q4, equipped with all-wheel drive capabilities, continues to fuel the brand’s rapid growth in North America together with the appeal of the signature GranTurismo coupes and convertible models and entry level Ghibli saloon.

Volkswagen launches all new five seater midsized SUV, to be called the Cross Coupe GTE.

Volkswagen has unveiled a new five-seater midsize SUV concept car at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.  Called the Cross Coupé GTE, it is a plug-in hybrid with all-wheel drive, and previews Volkswagen’s new US design language, combining German engineering with the American way of life.

The new car’s debut at the show, which runs from 12-25 January, comes ahead of the start of production at the end of 2016 of a new seven-seater midsize SUV at Volkswagen of America’s Chattanooga factory in Tennessee.

The Cross Coupé GTE is the third concept car presented by Volkswagen in the run-up to the introduction of the production version.  

Together, all three concept cars – the CrossBlue presented in Detroit in January 2013, the CrossBlue Coupé most recently shown in Los Angeles in November 2013 and the Cross Coupé GTE that is now being presented at the NAIAS – represent just a part of the wide spectrum of SUV variants that can be realised through the modular transverse matrix (MQB), and were developed with the aim of offering an SUV in North America in the near future that is consistently tailored to the US market.

Although the design of all three SUVs was based on the Volkswagen design DNA and they have common stylistic features, the latest model breaks in many ways with previous concepts, and thus increases the momentum towards series production.  

The Cross Coupé GTE measures 4,847 mm long, 1,736 mm high and 2,030 mm wide.  Commenting on its appearance, Klaus Bischoff, chief designer at Volkswagen said: ‘The concept car has a commanding presence; it is powerful with a look that could almost be described as aggressive.  Numerous details hint at how we envisage a future production SUV model for North America.’ 

Powering the Cross Coupé GTE is a 3.6-litre V6 petrol engine in combination with two electric motors.  The six-cylinder direct-injection engine (FSI) delivers 280 PS and maximum torque of 350 Nm, while the two electric motors deliver 40 kW and 220 Nm (front) and 85 kW and 270 Nm (rear).  

They are powered by a compact lithium-ion battery housed in the centre tunnel, with energy content of 14.1 kWh.  The total output of the drive system is 360 PS, and using this full power, the Cross Coupé GTE, which has a top speed of 130 mph (209 km/h), accelerates to 60 mph in just 6.0 seconds.  The Cross Coupé GTE can be driven in five different power modes: E-Mode, Hybrid, GTE, Offroad and Battery Hold / Battery Charge.  

In E-Mode, activated at the press of a button, the Cross Coupé GTE can travel in zero-emission mode for up to 20 miles or 32 km*, and in this case the 85 kW rear axle electric motor alone drives the vehicle, with the V6 FSI decoupled from the drivetrain by disengaging the clutch and shutting down.  But as soon as the six-cylinder engine needs to be restarted due to the battery charge status or other parameters, it engages smoothly in the drivetrain again in a fraction of a second.

The Cross Coupé GTE also has a number of different driving profiles: Onroad (with the sub-modes Comfort and Eco), Offroad (with Rocks, Sludge & Sand and Gravel), Sport and Snow, and each of these changes the set-up and driving characteristics of the car.  Needless to say, the Offroad drive mode is particularly important for an SUV and all four wheels are powered as soon as the driver activates this mode. 

If Offroad is engaged and the battery state of charge is low, the front electric motor is employed exclusively as a generator that is driven by the V6 FSI in order to provide the power for its counterpart on the rear axle.  As the power to drive the rear axle flows by wire and not mechanically, it is referred to as an ‘electric cardan shaft’.  Due to the fact that the FSI drives the rear electric motor via the front electric motor in off-road mode, all-wheel drive is available even when the battery has a low state of charge.

The design of the cockpit reflects the car’s hi tech engine and drivetrain nature, featuring horizontal lines and clear digital controls with intuitive operation.  The new infotainment system is controlled via a 10.1-inch touchscreen, while a 12.3-inch Active Info Display – similar to that recently previewed on the new Passat – allows extremely high-quality interactive graphic presentation of all details in the digital dashboard.  The Cross Coupé GTE features sports seats at the front and a three seat bench in the rear, which can be folded 1/3 or 2/3, creating a continuous flat cargo floor.

*due to different type approval procedures the electric ranges for the USA and Europe cannot be compared on a 1:1 basis.

Volvo takes Cross Country range into the saloon car range, does it work ? not sure !

• Volvo Cars points to the future with the exciting S60 Cross Country
• A segment first from Volvo Cars
• Builds on a strong heritage of lifestyle-oriented products

Volvo Cars is stepping up to meet the demands of its core customers with the unveiling of the exciting S60 Cross Country at the Detroit Auto Show.

Back in 1997, when Volvo was the first premium brand to introduce an all-road capable variant of its successful estates, no one could predict the future success of the crossover concept. Today, the crossover is ubiquitous and has helped to define a whole new category of lifestyle vehicle. Volvo is once again taking a bold step forward – this time in the sedan segment – with the unveiling of the S60 Cross Country – the first premium saloon with the same level of capability and rugged design cues of the renowned Cross Country estates.

“We want to further explore the market with our Cross Country brand. We did this back in 1997 with the V70 Cross Country and it led to the birth of a whole new segment. We have included all the capability-driven benefits of the Cross Country brand in this new model, while offering a completely unique expression of adventure and all-road readiness in a distinctly sporty and stylish package,” says Lex Kerssemakers, Senior Vice President Product Strategy and Vehicle Line Management at Volvo Cars.

Capable stance

Like the recently announced V60 Cross Country, the S60 Cross Country shares an increased ride height of 65mm (2.5 inches) and comes with the same capable All-Wheel Drive underpinnings of its sibling, making it the only truly capable and stylish all-road saloon crossover on the market. The S60 Cross Country will also be available with front-wheel drive in the UK and selected markets.

“The S60 Cross Country is the sole contender in the crossover saloon segment. We have identified a clear niche in the market for a more capable saloon with rugged styling cues and a higher stance. The S60 Cross Country will appeal to people that are searching for an exciting and capable saloon, whilst enjoying the clear benefits that a crossover offers,” says Alain Visser, Senior Vice President Sales, Marketing and Customer Service.

Reflecting Volvo’s love of nature and Scandinavian heritage, the S60 Cross Country offers both 18” and 19” wheels with high profile tyres that add both comfort and all-road aesthetics, reduce road noise, and add increased wheel protection when needed.

Delivering an involved and focused driving experience with rugged substance, this dynamic design brings a sporty, unconventional and adventurous edge to the saloon concept.

Pricing is expected to be announced and order books will open during Qtr 2. Deliveries are expected to commence from July.

Powertrain

The S60 Cross Country will launch with the Front-Wheel Drive 190 hp diesel D4, based on Volvo’s class-leading Drive-E powertrain architecture, offering a no-compromise blend of efficiency and performance in European markets. A diesel All-Wheel Drive D4 will also be launched based on the proven 2.5L 5-cylinder diesel engine. The S60 Cross Country is expected to be available to order by early summer.