Maserati Turns 100 and Stuns at Monterey Car Week

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Aug. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Maserati celebrated its 100^th Anniversary in grand style at Monterey Car Week, and isn't a stranger to the famous Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance where – in 1968 – a Maserati Mistral Coupe took top honors as Best of Show. Still today, it is the most recent postwar car to capture this recognition.

As Honored Marque at this year's 64^th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the lawn was packed with significant examples illustrating Maserati's rich century of history, including – in the Maserati Centennial Racing Class – a 1954 A6GCS Spyder, 1955 Maserati 250F Monoposto, and 1956 Maserati 300S Fantuzzi Spyer. The '54 A6GCS took the trophy for best Granturismo noted for its artistic beauty and highest level of performance in a granturismo. One of the most fascinating cars of all times designed by Pininfarina in 1954, the A6GCS proved a valuable source of inspiration for the designers of the Alfieri concept of today.

Looking forward to the Maserati's next century, the highly acclaimed Alfieri concept 2+2 made its North American debut during a special centennial celebration at the Mazda Raceway during the Rolex Monterey Motorsport Reunion, where Maserati was also the Honored Marque. As Lorenzo Ramacioitti, Head of Fiat Chrysler Automobile Global Design, presented the stunning concept, he stated "This car has a racing breed," but added that it has "a kick of poetry." The Alfieri also made a star turn on the Concept Lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

At the auctions during Monterey Car Week, classic Maseratis were stars as well. At Bonhams, highlights included a 1969 Ghibli 4.7 Spyder which sold for $841,000 USD; and a 1949 Maserati A6 15000/3C Berlinetta which captured $891,000. At Gooding & Company, the historic Maserati 250F driven to victory by Sir Stirling Moss at Monza in 1956, sold for $4.2 Million USD.

It was a birthday party worthy of turning 100!

About Maserati:

Maserati produces a full line of two and four door models legendary for their spacious handcrafted luxury, thoroughbred performance and everyday usability. The Maserati range includes the all-new full-size Quattroporte and the mid-size Ghibli sport sedan, which earned a 2013 Top Safety Pick from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS)*. The flagship Quattroporte GTS leads the charge with a 523 HP twin turbo V8 while both the Ghibli and Quattroporte are available with All-

Wheel-Drive, a competition bred twin-turbo 404 HP V6 and an adaptive 8 speed automatic transmission. The two-door GranTurismo line continues with several variants of coupes and convertibles that combine elegance and comfort for four adults, with a six speed automatic transmission to keep the legendary Maserati performance and exhaust note close at hand. Maserati automobiles and merchandise can be found at authorized retailers across North America. Information on Maserati can be found at www.maserati.us for the U.S. or www.maserati.ca for Canada, 1-800- My-Maserati.*Built after November 2013.

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SOURCE Maserati North America, Inc.