Quattroporte successor to be presented later this year

According to Inside Line, Maserati is already working a successor of the Quattroporte, which should be revealed later this year. The Italian brand seems to also be working on a smaller sedan aimed at premium German competitors, and also on a luxury crossover.

By adding these two new models and a redesigned Quattroporte sedan, Maserati is expecting, according to insiders, to raise its annual sales to around 20,000 units. In 2010 the brand sold 5,675 cars, but still far from its record of nearly 8,600 units set in 2008.

Code-named M156 the new Quattroporte is expected to be unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. The car was created at Maserati and is being conceived under the same design cues of the current GranTurismo coupe and convertible. It should receive an improved and more efficient version of the 4.7-liter V8, but there is also the possibility of new engines being added to the lineup.

With the next generation of the Quattroporte, Maseratti will be trying to put the model competing with the Aston Martin Rapide and the Porsche Panamera, running from its ever so slightly upmarket.

The M157 is the current code name of the smaller sedan that should only be launched closer to 2014, will be competing with the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class models. Maserati wants the price tag to start at $75000.

Between 2012 and 2013 Maserati should also launch a luxury utility vehicle, which has already been explored in the past with the Kubang concept. Now that project may come to life as a premium SUV that should likely share architecture with both Jeep and Alfa Romeo models.