It had been quite a while since my last visit to Cars & Coffee and I felt like I owed it to you guys to go back.  It just took a few months to psych myself up to wake up at 4am to make the drive from Long Beach to the magical rich-man’s playground known as Newport Beach, CA but I finally did it!  This past weekend there were less exotic cars and more classic and muscle cars which is cool if that is what you are into.  The meet was not totally devoid of super cars an exotics though.  There were a few Lamborghinis, a few Italia 458s, and there was even a McLaren MP4-12C in attendance.  Also as always, there was an ocean of Porsches to behold and appreciate.  Check out a few pictures below then see the rest in our Facebook gallery.  Enjoy!

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One of my favorite cars is the Maserati Gran Turismo as I have said many times before the Gran Turismo is very “Bruce Wayne” which means awesome.  It also earns my affection because there is a very slim chance I will get to own one someday.  The only Maserati I like more than the Gran Turismo is the MC12 which is essentially Maserati’s spin on the Ferrari Enzo.  I love the MC12 because there is absolutely no chance I will ever get to one one at all.  However I can come close by putting a pair of MC12′s on my feet.  No, I have not lost my mind.  Maserati has released a set of special edition sneekers based on MC12 supercar.  The pair you see above even shares the same color way as the car but if for some reason you are not digging these kicks in the original MC12 colors there are plenty of other color options at the Maserati online store.  Although like the car, theses shoes are not cheep.  If you want a set of exotic Italians on your feet it is going to set you back 168 Euros or 221 bucks for us in the states.  I know 221 sounds like a lot for a pair of sneekers but but when you compare that to a 2 million dollar price tag for the car then the shoes are a steal!

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When the Geneva Motor Show finally shows up Maserati will be bringing a slightly new high powered version of the GranCabrio (GranTurismo Convertible).  For the most part it looks the same on the outside except for the new color,  blacked out headlights, and color matched side skirts.  The big change is the upgraded 450HP v8 engine!  To account for the extra power the transmission has been retuned with “MC Auto Shift” for faster gear changes.  The brakes have also been upgraded and the suspension has been tighted up as well. 

This is pretty awesome but how about dropping that 450HP engine into the coupe? 

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Press Release:

WORLDWIDE PREVIEW AT THE GENEVA AUTO SHOW FOR THE MASERATI GRANCABRIO SPORT

The new Maserati that will debut at the upcoming Geneva Auto Show will offer more driving enjoyment thanks to an improved overall vehicle dynamics, more horse power, a more responsive and efficient engine and optimised gearshift response.

Modena, February 21, 2011. After stunning the world with the GranCabrio at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Maserati will use the 2011 Geneva Motor Show to take its grand-touring convertible to a new level of performance and handling with the GranCabrio Sport.

Conceived to give the GranCabrio a harder-edged model to sit alongside the GranTurismo S and the Quattroporte Sport GT S, the GranCabrio Sport uses a more powerful and fuel-efficient version of Maserati’s, all-alloy 4.7-litre V8, coupled with the ZF six-speed automatic transmission.

This naturally aspirated engine produces in this configuration 331 kW (450 horsepower) and has 510 Nm at the peak of its rich, thick torque curve. Maserati’s Friction Reduction Program has made the GranCabrio Sport’s engine more reactive to the driver’s most-nuanced inputs, while reaching a 6% reduction in fuel consumption. The top speed of the GranCabrio Sport is 285 km/h.

This six-speed transmission is equipped with the super-fast MC Auto Shift software and has been developed for the GranCabrio Sport directly from the transmission in the Quattroporte Sport GT S. The MC Auto Shift provides optimised gearshift response resulting in an even-greater engagement.

The handling has received attention, too, with an upgrade and revision of the Skyhook active-suspension system – now with a sportier tuning – and the adoption of grooved and drilled dual-cast brake discs.

Visually, the GranCabrio Sport is characterised by a more-pronounced dynamic look. This look begins at the GranCabrio’s distinctive nose with a black grille and a Trident with red accents. The headlights now have a black look with white sidemarks, while front corner splitters and the redesigned side skirts are both body coloured. The GranCabrio Sport also debuts a new body colour for Maserati: Rosso Trionfale inspired by the red Italian national colours used on 1950s racing Maseratis – in 1957, Juan Manuel Fangio won his fifth F1 World Title at the wheel of a red Maserati 250F.

The GranCabrio Sport will be on sale in all of Maserati’s 62 markets starting from summer 2011

Wayyy across the pond in Geneva Maserati announced that a few of their models will now be available in “matt” colors (yeah I know they left out the “E” for some reason).  So now I can get the Gran Turismo MC S Sport Line in matt white!  Ok, I really couldn’t do that but its nice to know that the possibility is there.

Press Release:

THREE NEW “MATT” COLOURS TO FURTHER ENHANCE
MASERATI’S PERSONALISATION OPTIONS

Maserati has further enhanced its personalisation options by introducing at the Geneva Auto Show three new matt exterior colours, in addition to the extensive range of metallic, pastel and pearlescent colours already available:
• Matt Bianco Fuji, a colour that is both light and supple at the same time;
• Matt Blu Mediterraneo, sporty and vivacious;
• Matt Grigio Granito, elegant and understated.

These shades, thanks to their metallic particles, show surprising depth in the sun, creating a stunning volume effect whilst maintaining a lightness of form at the same time. Maserati has always been synonymous with high levels of personalisation and craftsmanship, two values that are expressed even more clearly by these new colours, created by experienced hands through the skilful application of several layers of colour, following a long and complex hand-crafted process.
The matt Bianco Fuji colour applied to the body of the GranTurismo S MC Sport Line can be admired on the catwalk of the prestigious Swiss show.

 

Even though not many talked about it we all saw this coming.  Maserati took their Gran Turismo AKA “Bruce Wayne’s awesome GQ car” and took the top off.  The topless version is dubbed the GranCabrio and I have to admit I like it.  At first I thought that taking the top off would remove too much of its edge which is true.  However, it doesn’t turn the car into a wuss it just makes it a little more “laid back”.  Which is cool in a “smooth jazz-luther vandross” kinda way.  The GranCabrio is to make its debut at the Frankfurt Motorshow this year and I’m positive that is when we’ll get more information about the Italian drop-top.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again.  The Maserati Granturismo S in black is totally Bruce Wayne’s car.  I wouldn’t be surprised if there is a cape and cowl in the trunk when you pick one of these up from the dealership.  I have been completely enamoured with this car ever since I first saw it and for good reason.  What’s not to love here?  It has beautiful lines, exotic Italian super car heritage, and a Ferrari derived 440HP V8 under the hood.  A car such as this would be just at home on a canyon road as it would be on Rodeo drive.  Its aggressive, luxurious, and slightly evil all at the same time.  We would totally rock this car…if we had the money..

Talk about your baller collabs! Check it out you’re looking at an AMEX Black Card branded Quattroporte!  Of course it features black paint but the craziest part is its white interior…with the AMEX logo embossed on the headrests!  I wonder which rapper is going to put this in their video first.

Thanks Jalopnik!

Press Release:

MASERATI QUATTROPORTE FOR CENTURION SPECIAL SERIES

Maserati GB and American Express Centurion are delighted to announce the arrival of the new Maserati Quattroporte for Centurion special series. Officially unveiled at Forbes House, in London’s Belgravia in front of an exclusive audience of American Express black card holders, the Pininfarina designed luxury saloon was received with great enthusiasm.

The Maserati Quattroporte for Centurion special series is exclusively built to order: finished in stunning metallic Nero Carbonio (carbon black), it features a sumptuous Bianco Polare (polar white) Poltrona Frau® leather interior with embossed Centurion logo on the headrests, a bespoke numbered plaque, titanium coloured trim and 20″ ball polished rims.

The Maserati Quattroporte for Centurion special series is based on the latest evolution of Maserati’s iconic flagship saloon, combining distinctive Italian styling with prodigious performance and peerless driving dynamics. The styling is characterised by the radiator grille, a ‘modern’ classic of Maserati design, accompanied by a range of enhanced technological features, with their most eye-catching expression in the LED rear-light clusters.

The Maserati Quattroporte for Centurion 4.2 is powered by an impressive 400 hp 4.2 litre V8 engine, powering the car to a top speed of 167 mph and allowing it to sprint from 0 to 62 mph in just 5.6 seconds. The fully automatic ZF gearbox ensures a smooth and responsive ride in all conditions.

The Maserati Quattroporte for Centurion 4.7 represents the ultimate fusion of the luxury saloon with Maserati’s renowned sporting prowess. With a 4.7 litre, 430 hp engine under the bonnet, the Maserati Quattroporte for Centurion 4.7 is propelled to an eye watering top speed of 174 mph with a blistering 0 to 62 mph time of just 5.4 seconds. The dual-cast brake discs, combined with the car’s near perfect weight distribution ensure that the Maserati Quattroporte for Centurion 4.7 offers an unparalleled driving experience.

Prices will start from £88,315 for the Maserati Quattroporte for Centurion 4.2 and £94,185 for the Maserati Quattroporte for Centurion 4.7.