Maserati is showcasing its 2016 models, which have a host of improvements including cleaner engines and exclusive new interiors, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, which gets under way tomorrow.

On display are three versions of the Ghibli, the executive sedan with the sporty character, and two versions of the Quattroporte, the luxury limousine now in its sixth generation. The GT range meanwhile, is represented by the GranTurismo MC Stradale Centennial Edition and a GranCabrio Sport.

With the Model Year 16 (MY16) range, Maserati has upgraded all engines to the Euro 6 standard and added new content for the Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans.

Apart from the new engines, Maserati has unveiled an exclusive interior customisation, package for the Ghibli and Quattroporte bearing the Ermenegildo Zegna signature, including new mouldings and ornamental stitching on the headrests.

Other improvements include the Blind Spot Alert and Rear Cross Path system, the Power Boot (motorised boot opening and closure, also featuring hands-free activation), the debut of a Harman Kardon music system and an update to the existing Bowers & Wilkins system, and the use of Apple’s Siri smart personal assistant in combination with iOS devices. 

Further improvements in terms of acoustic insulation allow the Quattroporte and Ghibli, to more effectively meet the needs of their demanding customers.


EURO 6 ENGINES

The introduction of Euro 6 homologation for the Quattroporte and Ghibli gasoline engines (V6 Twin Turbo from 330 up to 410 hp and V8 Twin Turbo with 530 hp), brings up to 12 per cent reduction in emissions, consumption and unchanged performance compared to Euro 5 engines, while the MY16 gasoline engines also benefit from the introduction of the ‘Start & Stop’ system. 

On the V6 Diesel engines, emissions and consumption figures, as well as performance, remain unchanged, while the Euro 6 homologation introduced AdBlue technology, with a dedicated on-board tank placed below the rear tank.

On the GranTurismo and GranCabrio ranges, where the naturally aspirated V8 engines already had emission levels in line with the prescribed standards, the upgrading to Euro 6 did not generate any changes in fuel consumption or emission figures.


ZEGNA EDITION

The Ermenegildo Zegna interiors for Maserati combines fine leather with 100 per cent natural fibre Zegna Mulberry silk inserts on the seats, door panels, roof lining, sunshades and ceiling light fixture. The seat covers and door panels receive an added touch of luxury with stitching in a contrasting colour. The headrest is embroidered with an eye-catching Trident, the Maserati brand emblem. 

Available in three colour variants for the interiors of the Quattroporte and Ghibli, the Zegna Edition outfit will be the most exquisite of all Maserati customisations.

The interior offering includes a choice of colour combinations: the Ermenegildo Zegna silk, always in Anthracite colour, can be combined with three different shades of luxurious fine leather, for three individual looks.

This Zegna Edition outfit is available for all markets.


BLIND SPOT ALERT & REAR CROSS PATH

Available upon request for both Quattroporte and Ghibli, the Blind Spot Alert alerts the driver with visual and audible signals when a vehicle enters the blind spot zones. The system monitors blind spot areas using two radar-based sensors, located inside the rear bumper fascia; when a vehicle approaches from behind, the LED warning signal embedded into the side mirrors lights up while a chime alert can also be heard.

The Rear Cross Path function is designed to assist the driver when reversing, and is useful when backing out of a parking space, when oncoming vehicles cannot be seen.  Sensors on each side of the rear bumper detect any vehicles heading towards the car and alert the driver by means of lights and a chime.


POWER BOOT LID 

With the introduction of the Power Boot lid, included in the Quattroporte GTS and available upon request for the other versions of both Quattroporte and Ghibli, the boot lid can be opened or closed from inside the car by using the remote, the buttons on the boot lid or in Hands-Free mode.

With Hands-Free mode, the boot can be opened or closed by just moving a foot underneath the rear bumper where a sensor picks up the movement and opens or closes the boot. In this case, the lid will open or close only if the “Passive Entry” system acknowledges the presence of the key.


SIRI SMART PERSONAL ASSISTANT 

Thanks to the Apple chip in the Maserati Touch Control (MTC) navigation and infotainment system, a useful on-board feature that exploits iOS functionality has been introduced: the Siri "smart" personal assistant, already incorporated in Apple devices. 

Siri allows users of Quattroporte and Ghibli (both standard) to perform tasks on iOS connected devices (iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch) and make requests using voice commands. The advantage is that Siri uses natural language to understand commands. For safety reasons, when the car is on the move Siri deactivates all applications which use visual content or require user interaction and replies to commands given or questions put to it with voice feedback only.


AUDIO

MY16 brings on board a new Harman Kardon system as standard on all Quattroporte versions and upon request on the Ghibli. The system has 10 speakers and a 900 W, 12-channel amplifier. 

The optional Bowers & Wilkins Premium Surround meanwhile boasts a new Clari-Fi function, an advanced solution designed for digital music and capable of restoring the artistic details lost in digitally-compressed songs. 

Clari–Fi scans all types of compressed audio files for lost music details, supporting MP3, AAC, Satellite Radio, Playback and Streaming Music Services and intelligently corrects waveform deficiencies based on existing music information and audio source quality. 

By recapturing the missing highs and lows, restoring the vocals to their natural tone, returning to a true stereo sound and removing unwanted distortions and artifacts, these features set a new benchmark in automotive audio, says Maserati.