Ferrari, Maserati, Bugatti, SSC Ultimate Aero and a Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Convertible.

No, that’s not the guest list on tomorrow night’s BBC installment of Top Gear, but rather a partial lineup of the kind of things you’ll get to see at the OC Auto Show, widely regarded as the “start” of show season.

Knowing that it’s fighting an uphill battle with consumers in rapid retrenching mode and corporations cutting back in a grim death march to bankruptcy, the show’s got to pull out a few stops in order to get anywhere.  Included in this year’s plans?  A special appearance by Absolute Poker pro Matt Vengrin, a live mixed martial arts cage battle, and not one, but THREE bikini contests, including the Miss Hawaiian Tropic Model Search.

If I’ve got your attention, and chances are something on that list did, you’ll be happy to know that getting into the show might be the cheapest thing you do all day:  adults get in for $10; senior citizens (62 and older) shell out $6,  students with ID pay just $5 and kids under 12 are admitted for free.

The show starts today and runs through Sunday.

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It seems that Lotus CEO Dany Bahar is unhappy with the current hype surrounding his company due to its decline since the late 90s. Well, if what he says is true Lotus will be on par with Lamborghini, Maserati and Ferrari soon enough.

Autocar quotes Mr. Bahar:

“Lotus was mentioned in the same sentence as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati in the 1970s-1990s. Then, it got closed into a corner. We believe it’s the right time to bring Lotus back to where it was.”

Will they succeed? All three of the automakers he plans to go against have long been regarded as some of the highest quality, most expensive and fastest cars in the industry, so let’s wish them luck.

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There are a lot of crazy people out there who love their car so much that they would do anything. But this practically takes its cue from sleeping with your car. Can you imagine your pad with a practical garage inside? Now that is something worth checking out.

The crazy guy is an architect, Holger Schubert, who practically designed his place to accommodate his Maserati Granturismo. And to sweeten up the garage, he has even added a remote-controlled ramp so that when it is time to use it, he doesn’t have to worry about fumes sticking on the classy interior.

Now the question, is it a garage or a pad? You be the judge and see in the video below for yourself!

(Source) Slashgear

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Maserati’s latest car, likely called the Cabriolet, is scheduled to make its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 2010. This convertible edition of the GranTurismo will have two plus two seating and will most likely keep the wheel base and dimensions of the closed GranTurismo.

It will probably be powered by the Quattroporte GT S’s 433-hp 4.7-liter V-8 with the ZF six-speed automatic which is currently under development for the GranTurismo. The engine will be a 433-horsepower 4.7-liter V8 one and it will have a six-speed ZF automatic gearbox. This model was actually supposed to be on the road this year, but it has been delayed by an entire year.

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GranTurismo

Maserati officials have confirmed that a convertible version of the GranTurismo will be making it to showrooms by March 2010. They have revealed a few new details about the car, which is expected to be called the GranTurismo Spyder. Maserati is yet to divulge if the car will sport a conventional canvas roof or a new hard-top, but according to Car and Driver it will come with a traditional cloth top and a price tag of $130,000.

This puts it in clear competition with cars like the Mercedes Benz SL, Aston Martin Vantage Roadster, BMW M6 Cabrio, and Jaguar XKR Convertible. The Spyder will likely come standard with the new 434hp 4.7L V8 engine from the more recent GranTurismo S.

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There are reports that the owners of a New York car dealership, specializing in Bentleys and Aston Martins, have been accused of corporate espionage against rival Ferrari and Maserati dealers. The charges concern some illegal ‘e-mail tapping’ attempted by the Bentley/Aston Martin dealer, in which they gained unauthorized access to a New York Ferrari dealer’s email server about 2,500 times in 8 months last year.

The Bentley/Aston dealers were reading the emails and also contacting customers of Ferrari that were currently negotiating with them. The maximum penalty, if the Bentley/Aston dealer is found guilty, could amount to 5 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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Maserati's 2009 Quattoporte Sport GT S

Maserati’s 2009 Quattoporte Sport GT S is easily the fastest and sportiest ever. This elegant four-door has been a favorite since its introduction and provides more power and a more appropriate transmission than the unsteady old DuoSelect. There are many detail improvements, but in short it combines the GranTurismo S coupe’s 433-horsepower, 4.7-liter V-8, a six-speed automatic transmission, 20-inch rolling stock, and edgier suspension, in the big Maser sedan. The GT S also benefits from last year’s modest restyling, plus updated electronics. The engine’s intake groan and blasting exhaust alone make the Sport GT S a more moving ride than many other luxury sport sedans.

The steering conveys well and the car’s moves are well controlled. This Maserati’s ride/handing balance is on the sporty side of opulence and its high-speed stability is impeccable. The only unmatched element is braking, which doesn’t offer the pedal feedback or the quick stopping power expected. If a Ferrari or Porsche happen to be your sports car of choice, then the Quattroporte Sport GT S may be the sedan you want in your other parking spot.

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Maserati seems ready to launch some cars which will bring on some real cash. What’s the matter, didn’t anyone tell them it was a disastrous financial year? Well maybe that is true for the average consumer, but if you have the money for it, a Maserati is already waiting for you.

We know the Quattroporte GTS that was announced at Detroit is arriving next month. The GranTurismo GTS is also ready to be launched and it will be wearing the engine of the Quattroporte GTS. But the most important upcoming Maserati might be a new Spyder supercar. The new Spyder convertible is rumored to be based on the GranTurismo but we’re going to have more specific details later this year.

via whatcar

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If you happen to own a GranTurismo S in your garage then you should know Maserati has launched it’s own customization program entitled the MC Sport Line. Go to Bologna Motor Show and get more details about how you can fine tune your beauty.

Starting next year you will be able to order parts like front and rear carbon fiber spoilers, side skirts, carbon fiber mirror housings, CF door handles and gloss black 20-inch wheels. What else is there? How much will it cost? We’ll just have to sit and wait for that.

via Press

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The Maserati Quattroporte in the picture here is the 2009 version which you will be able to enjoy at the 2008 LA Auto Show. The sedan is impressive and it will remind you of the 2008 GranTurismo. The S version has a great 4.7L V8 engine under the hood compared to the 4.2L in the standard model. Besides the look we have the smarts too. There’s an audio system from Bose and an infotainment package composed of navigation, cell phone and stereo. What do you need more?

via cnet

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Alfa Romeo is name almost forgotten in the U.S. car market. The last Alfa available in the USA was some 13 years ago. It looks like the Italian maker is ready to return to the U.S. with the Alfa Romeo 8C Competitione.

84 units will be imported and they will be available through the Maserati dealerships sometime this month. 8C Competizione Spyders and 8C Competizione GTAs are going to arrive soon. Let’s hope this time Alfa is going to stick around more!

via MotorAuthority

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Here’s a automaker I haven’t talked about lately, Maserati! And what better way to start the day than with a Maserati concept car. It’s called the GranTurismo MC Corse Concept, and we should definitely take a better look at it.

The MC Corse is based on the 430 horsepower GranTurismo S but the engine has been upgraded. The new intake system, the competition-spec catalytic converters and the center-exit exhaust will get you an additional 20 horsepower. The car is ready to race. It has a new front splitter, a large spoiler in the back and new side skirts. The wheels are 18×12 inch in the front and 18×13 inch in the rear. Enlarged brake discs and monobloc racing calipers will improve your breaking experience.

So what do you think? Is the MC Corse the sports car you were waiting for all this time?

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