Maserati to expand and refresh current line up in a bid to increase sales

It seems Maserati will be busy for the next couple of years. Just recently, Maserati unveiled the new Quattroporte luxury saloon and is the first in a line up of a refreshed range from the Italian marque. First following the Quattroporte, will be a speculated LWB variant - after which a 'smaller' luxury saloon christened the Ghibli will be available in both rear and all-wheel drive architecture. Styling is expected to be more aggressive despite wearing a 'wedge shaped' outline - perhaps in the lines of the CLS.

Interestingly the Ghibli will also be the first Maserati to be powered with a diesel engine - presumably a modified 3.0-litre V6 diesel lifted from the Jeep Grand Cherokee. 

Like Porsche and (probably) Lamborghini, Maserati will have an SUV line up - the Levante in mid-2014. The upcoming Levante was previewed through the 2011 Kubang concept, and will utilise a modified Jeep Grand Cherokee architecture to suit Maserati's sportier driving characteristics.

Not fraying away from its staple range of fun, sporty cars, Mr Wester, Maserati's CEO, also revealed that two new sports cars will be launched by 2015. The first will replace the current and, may we say, aging Granturismo. Interestingly the upcoming Granturismo will shrink in size to a 2+2 - akin to a Jaguar XK.

The second sports car from the trident badged marque will be a smaller two seat - probably based on the Alfa Romeo 4C to rival the upcoming Jaguar F-Type and Porsche 911. Rumours are the new compact coupe will revive the GranSport badging and will feature a carbon fibre monocoque and a powerful V8 engine. Maserati claims the model will offer a better driving experience than the Porsche 911 Turbo but for 'lesser pennies'.