DETROIT AUTO SHOW: Maserati's All-New Quattroporte Makes Its WORLD Premiere In The Motor City Aiming To Take Down The Panamera, XJ

If there's one brand with some serious ambition, it's Maserati. Not only have documents shown that it is trying to sell 50,000 units by 2015, it also had some tricks up its sleeve for the Quattroporte's debut at the Detroit Auto Show.

Take, for instance, the announcement that for the first time the Quattroporte will be offered with an all-wheel drive set up.

If the V6 powerplant wasn't a clear enough signal, I think AWD really makes it crystal. Maserati is definitely attacking the luxury sedan marketplace HARD in an attempt to net some market share. Can't blame 'em, that's the name of the game.

Given that a Q-Porte is not likely on everyone's list when they go shopping, we'll say that the two most likely targets and close rivals will be the Porsche Panamera and Jaguar XJ. Considering they both can be had with six-cylinder powerplants and all-wheel drive now, this little dust up is going to get dirty!

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