Maserati Quattroporte, shown but owned<\/p>\n
Novan Iman Santosa, The Jakarta Post\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
In the onslaught of car makers releasing so-called \"cheap cars\"
\n-- priced under or around Rp 100 million -- the presence of a new
\npremium car gives a different take on the automotive industry in
\nthis country.<\/p>\n
It is a drastic shift from car for the masses to car for the
\n(extremely) privileged, especially when the car in question is a
\nMaserati, here in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
This wide-eyed effect, accompanied by the hush of held
\nbreathwas exactly what transpired last Thursday, when PT Citra
\nLanggeng Otomotif introduced the Maserati Quattroporte at the
\nJakarta Convention Center.<\/p>\n
It seemed the company, which also distributes Ferrari locally,
\ncould not have picked a better timing for the launch, which
\ncoincided with an event called the Bazaar Fashion Concerto.
\nHowever, it was no wonder, as these two different events were
\nhosted by businesses belonging to the MRA group of companies.<\/p>\n
The venue suited the launch well -- too well, actually, as
\nmany automotive journalists were directed to the fashion
\nextravaganza instead of to the hidden corner where the Maserati
\nflagship was on exhibit.<\/p>\n
Whether the corner spot was intentional or not, the car in it
\nwas a beauty, designed by Pininfarina, the same designers of the
\nfirst Maserati road cars in the late 1940s.<\/p>\n
This Italian pride could be yours -- if you are ready to spend
\nUS$235,000 plus a documentation fee of Rp 275 million ($30,555)
\n-- with an emphasis on \"could\", as the five Maserati Quattroporte
\nallotted for Indonesia this year have already been sold.<\/p>\n
\"Next year, we have a bigger allocation of 10 cars, but we
\nalready have people waiting for them,\" Citra Langgeng Otomotif
\nmanaging director John A. Junir said.<\/p>\n
As an afterthought, he added, \"Well, this is not a mass
\nproduction car, but a limited brand.\"<\/p>\n
Citra sales and marketing manager Arie Christopher said 24
\nMaserati of all models available since 2001, when the company
\nstarted operations, were zooming around the country.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot tell you who the owners are. It is confidential.
\nBut I can tell you that there are Maseratis in Bandung, Semarang
\nand Surabaya,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Arie said Quattroporte owners tended to drive the saloon on a
\ndaily basis, unlike the Coupe or GranSport.<\/p>\n
Among possible competitors to the Quattroporte are the BMW 745
\nand the Mercedes Benz S430, although the German models had a
\ndifferent approach than the Italian machine.<\/p>\n
Powered by a normally aspirated 4,244 cc, 90-degree V8 engine
\n-- a new generation of engine chosen specially for the
\nQuattroporte -- the saloon can accelerate from 0 to 100
\nkilometers per hour (kph) in just 5.2 seconds, and has a top
\nspeed of 275 kph.<\/p>\n
The 183-kilogram engine unleashes a maximum 400 horsepower
\n(hp) at 7,000 revolutions per minute (rpm) and a maximum torque
\nof 451 Newton-meter at 4,500 rpm with 75% of torque delivered at
\njust 2,500 rpm.<\/p>\n
Such great speed requires the most advanced safety features,
\nand passengers can sit in the backseat with peace of mind,
\nknowing that the Quattroporte has exceeded even the most rigorous
\nAmerican crash test standards.<\/p>\n
Passive safety features include two-stage air bags installed
\nin the front and sides, as well as seat belts with load limiters
\nand pretensioners.<\/p>\n
The premium car offers four specifications that can be
\npersonalized: color choice, on-board electronics, interior trim
\nand comfort.<\/p>\n
So, the next time you see a car with a trident logo, take a
\ngood long look as it passes by and disappears over the horizon --
\nit is not a car for everyone.<\/p>",
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