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The Maserati Corse Concept features two large air intakes designed to improve air flow to the engine and brakes, combination air inlet/vents integrated into the bonnet and pumped guards to accommodate the wider track.

The side profile undergone extensive aerodynamic testing and now incorporates new side air vents linked to the side skirts similar to the Nissan GT-R to channel hot air from the engine bay around the car.

The rear boasts twin exit exhaust pipes integrated into the rear diffuser and a much steeper spoiler angle to compliment the added aerodynamic effects of the new front splitter.

Maserati Racing Department engineers have almost entirely stripped out any reminder of the original interior to save weight and added an FIA approved roll cage, Sparco race wheel, and carbon race seats, dashboard and control console.

The Corse Concept runs a highly tuned version of the 4.7-litre V8 engine from the GranTurismo S which now develops 330.9kW and 510Nm at 4,750rpm.

This has been achieved through the installation of a high performance air intake system combined with an exhaust system fitted with a race-type catalytic converter.

The end result is an overall weight of less than 1,400kg and a power to weight ration of less than 4.2kg per kW.

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The team at the Supercar Club offer members a variety of cars to drive throughout the year, ranging from city runabouts like the HUMMER H2, right through to earth shaking supercars like the Ford GT. After paying a once off joining fee and an annual fee, members are entitled to a certain number of days behind the wheel of the exotics of their choice – the number of days varying with each membership level.

Sitting on the Supercar Club’s fleet at any given point are cars such as the Audi R8, Ferrari F430 and F430 Spider, one of only two right-hand drive Ford GTs in the world, Aston Martin V8 Vantage and DB9, Porsche 911 Turbo and GT2, Lotus Exige S and even an Aerial Atom - amongst others.

This unique program runs out of Melbourne, Sydney and the Gold Coast. The Supercar Club has plans to expand to Perth by years end and Adelaide early next year (2009).

Members book their desired vehicles through an online portion of the Supercar Club’s website which gives priority to early birds. Members have the ability to book 30-days in advance and have the ability to use a limited number of wildcards to book cars up to 12-months in advance for special occasions.

Although you may have heard of many exotic car rental companies operating throughout Australia, but the Supercar Club is unique as it owns every car on its fleet. Those exotic car rental companies generally rent out privately owned cars and can’t guarantee availability as the actual owner of the vehicle has the final say.

The Supercar Club recently launched an initiative allowing Australian members to own a share of a truly exclusive hypercar – the Bugatti Veyron. This exclusive experience is still in the development stage and will finally depend on a minimum number of acceptances.

The idea behind the Bugatti deal is to allow Australian members time behind the wheel of the Veyron. Although the car can’t be driven on Australian roads, members will be given the opportunity to access about one month in total behind the wheel overseas. After driving the Bugatti Veyron myself earlier this year, there is simply nothing that compares in terms of the driving experience and pleasure.

Once the car is sold at the end of its use, members receive a return on their investment – certainly not too bad for a person with around $200,000 in expendable income.

After joining the Supercar Club, members are put through a driving course to help them cope with the size and driveability of a supercar. One of the club’s major repair costs comes from scratched wheels – no wrecked cars to speak of yet, touch wood!

Also on the cards are track days at major racing circuits with the club’s cars. These days will give members a unique opportunity to throw some exotic machinery around the race track in an environment where they can exploit the cars full potential. Instead of owning just the one vehicle and taking it to track days, members will be able to drive a whole range of supercars under controlled conditions.

Some manufacturers were initially threatened by the Supercar Club’s presence in Australia, but soon realised it was a benefit rather than a detriment. Members are able to sample a wide variety of cars and will likely purchase the car that really polarises them. After driving machinery like the Audi S5 and several Lamborghinis, it takes a proper drive to cement the decision to purchase such a car.

A cap of five members to one car means that new cars are added frequently to meet member demands. Prospective members will be happy to hear that it’s a democracy at the Supercar Club. Members are given the chance to vote at frequent meetings and share the decision about the next vehicles entering the fleet.

Members are the ones who ultimately choose the car they’re after, opposed to the big wigs and bean counters of the operation.

According to the Supercar Club, New South Wales members are around 39-years old, on average,  and evenly split between business owners and employees. Victoria is somewhat different though with the average age lingering around 47-years old, while about 97 per cent run their own business, indicating entrepreneurial skills are directly related to hot cars … sort of!

Although the general income of members is in the vicinity of $300,000 a year, there is a high school teacher who has recently joined the exclusive club. It’s certainly not a bad way to con students into school work!

Boys, if you have access to your Dad’s black Amex, pop it back in his wallet. The minimum joining age is 30 – although the Supercar Club is willing to make exceptions after prior approval from their insurers.

The most popular cars on the fleet are the Ferrari F430, Ferrari 360, Audi R8 and Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. Victoria is also hung on Aston Martins, with the V8 Vantage and DB9 Volante striking a chord with southern state members. With the recent addition of a Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera, this could soon change!

The general feel of the place is that members are key and are treated with the utmost respect. In the Supercar Club it doesn’t matter how much you earn or who you are, or even whether you are part of a chess club. Everyone is on the same level and shares the one passion – fast cars.

To find out more information about the Supercar Club, please visit http://www.supercarclub.com.au. You can also call the club on 1300 798 900. If you are interested in Bugatti Veyron ownership, follow this link.

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The former features a familiar 4.2-litre 298kW V8 engine whilst the latter model adopts the new 4.7-litre 320kW V8 engine as introduced in the GranTurismo S.

Both models feature a six-speed automatic transmission developed in association with ZF.

Exterior styling changes to the new Quattroporte are minimal, comprising of a new grille with vertical slats reminiscent of the GranTurismo, more prominent side mouldings, new rear bumpers and new front and rear lights featuring LED technology.

The interior has received a far more generous update, with a new centre console featuring a more ergonomic control layout as well as a fully updated navigation system as part of the new Maserati Multimedia system.

There are also two new shades of leather on offer: Marrone Corniola (Brown) and Sabbia (Sand), replacing the beige which was previously in the range.

The Maserati Quattroporte will make its Australian and New Zealand public debut at the Australian International Motor Show in October, with deliveries starting early 2009.

Existing owners will also be treated to a private viewing prior to the public launch.

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Revenue grew almost 20 percent to 456 million euros, with its trading profit almost doubling to 59 million euros compared with the same period last year.

Last year, Ferrari set its best record for revenues, up 15.3 percent to 1.67 billion euros. Its trading profit was up 45.3 percent to 266 million euros and unit sales up 11.1 percent to 6,488 cars.

Maserati increased vehicle deliveries 21.3 percent to 2,234 units in the first quarter, greatly due to the success of the new GranTurismo four-seat coupe.

This has resulted in a 10 million euros trading profit compared with 1 million euros it had lost in the same period last year.

In 2007 Maserati reported a 24 million euros trading profit, returning to the black after 18 years in the red.

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They must hate that, bless them.

What would you buy? Well, you could go down the well-trodden path to the Mercedes or BMW dealerships or if you wanted to be a bit different you might consider a Lexus or a Jaguar. Make no mistake, you’ll end up with an incredible car for your 80 to 100 grand but so will a lot of other nouveau riche.

You might decide that you’d be just as happy spending your money on something less obvious; a car with immediately recognisable branding but none of the hang-ups, one that stands out but isn’t audacious, one that communicates your affluence but says more about your sense of good taste.

The Maserati Quattroporte promises all of the above. The legendary Italian manufacturer has a strong tradition of competition and sports car building and has fused their technology and sporting pedigree into the opulence of a luxury saloon.

The tested car was the brand new 2008 Executive GT Automatic; the flagship variant of the luxury four-door five-seater Quattroporte. Styled by noted Italian automotive designer Pininfarina, this car takes design cues from the ‘70s. There’s a retrospective and nostalgic look to the rear quarter of the Quattroporte; the ‘C’ pillars and boot area are reminiscent of some of the sports saloons of thirty years ago.

The front end and grille are aggressively styled and the combination of all of the athletic curves and muscular lines, combine to make the entire car a boldly styled and achingly handsome, if intimidating form.

At cruising speeds, the big car is unflustered, dignified and sweeps along motorways and ‘A’ roads with grace. Inside the sumptuous leather cabin, everything’s calm, the famously immoderate way that Maserati furnishes its cars is obvious wherever you look and the driver’s seat is a very pleasant place indeed. My only mild grumbles are that there’s less legroom in the rear than a Lexus LS or a Jaguar XJ and that the wind noise is a bit louder than I would have expected.

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Featuring a more powerful 4.7-litre V8 engine, the Maserati GranTurismo S produces a more appropriate 324kW, matched to a new dual-clutch gearbox which replaces the previous ZF six speed automatic.

As a result, the new GranTurismo S is expected to sprint from zero to 100km/h in just 4.9 seconds.

Additional enhancements include more powerful Brembo brakes, subtle exterior styling tweaks and a leather and Alcantara interior.

Source: AutoExpress

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There is also a good chance the overall grille shape and the headlights will go under the knife too.

There is no official word from Maserati as to when the company will show off the new model but sources indicate it will probably be January next year.

The current Quattroporte range starts from $269,000 and finishes at $298,000 for the top of the range Executive GT Sedan.

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