2009 Maserati Quattroporte get facelift

After selling 15,000 units, Maserati is now offering a facelifted version of the Quattroporte. Looks wise the 2009 Maserati Quattroporte gets a new large grille with vertical slats like the GranTurismo. Rear lights have been updated with LEDs while side gets new under-door molding and new side mirrors.

The base 2009 Maserati Quattroporte gets the former 4.2L V8 producing 400-hp while the 2009 Quattroporte S gets the GranTurismo S’s new 4.7L V8 producing 430-hp. Both are mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission with ZF.

Inside the 2009 Quattroporte gets a new center console with controls grouped closely together along with a completely new navigation system with the new Maserati Multimedia System. Both models will go on sale in October.

source:egmcartech.com

Pontiac Solstice GXP

Pontiac claims 260 horsepower for now. The turbo Ecotec is capable of more -- much more -- and so the Solstice GXP targa coupe could be advertised at 300 horsepower or more some time after it arrives in showrooms early next year, posing a serious threat to the upcoming 2010 Nissan 370Z, which Pontiac lists as a competitor.

Two things: First, the extra horses, courtesy more turbo boost, intercooling and a new fuel rail, will be available in the GXP convertible, too, and only with the manual gearbox in either coupe or convertible (automatics will be stuck at 260). Second, that's still about 30 horses shy of the 370Z, if the Infiniti G37 is any guide. But the 3.7 is a V-6, of course.

The 300-horsepower Ecotec turbo is probably a short-term engine, as expected interim Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards before the 2020 rule aren't likely to be kind to such high output. The targa coupe also will come with the 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter Ecotec engine.

The car's hatch opens as the rear glass, only, making for better cargo space than the convertible, or about as much as a Mazda Miata's. That means there's no room for stowing the targa roof, so Pontiac plans to offer a folding cloth top for rain emergencies. Pontiac made only minor changes to the body, with a new taillamp assembly to flow more smoothly into the tapered roofline. Manufacturer's curb weight is up 31 pounds, to 2930 for the 2.4-liter and 3018 pounds for the GXP.

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback

The Mitsubishi Prototype-S concept just made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show and Mitsubishi has already announced the debut of the production version, the Lancer Sportback. The 2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback and Sportback Ralliart will make their debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show in October. The Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback will be introduced to the European market this fall. Pricing details will be announced closer to the launch date.

Power for the Lancer Sportback comes from a variety of engine choices including a 1.5L engine producing 108-hp, a 1.8L engine producing 141-hp and a 2.0L turbo diesel producing 138-hp. Mitsubishi’s new diesel engine will join the lineup in spring of 2009.

The Lancer Sportback Ralliart is powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces a total of 237-hp with a peak torque of 253 lb-ft. Power is transferred to the wheels via Mitsubishi’s Twin Clutch SST transmission with an Active Center Differential.

(www.egmcartech.com)