(Mon 12 Jan 09)

As we previewed last month, Maserati has launched a new version of the Quattroporte at Detroit. The Sport GT S uses Maserati's 4.7-litre V8 engine, which has had its engine remapped to produce a maximum of 433bhp, and further tweaks include new gearshift management software, revised suspension and a sportier exhaust note.

To emphasise the high-performance aspect of the car, Maserati is linking the introduction of the Sport GT S to the 70th anniversary of its first win at the Indianapolis 500 - Wilbur Shaw drove an 8CTF single-seater (known, in the style of American racers back then, as the "Boyle Special", and pictured below with Janet from Accounts at the wheel) to victory at Indy in 1939.

But Maserati is also keen to point out that it's paying attention to the environment. The Sport GT S meets Euro 5 emissions requirements (and also those of the US LEV2 test), thanks partly to the use of an improved catalytic convertor.

Furthermore, Maserati is claiming a record year in 2008, with sales of well over 8000 units, an increase of nearly 17% over the previous year. North America (including both the US and Canada) is Maserati's number one market, with the UK third behind Italy.

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