Maserati recently completed its spectacular 10,000km A Tribute to China Grand Tour, which was held to mark the brand’s 15th anniversary in the Chinese market and pay tribute to the traditions and cultural heritage that China and Italy share.
Starting in Shanghai, a city famed for its blend of Chinese and Western culture, the Grand Tour lasted 40 days and welcomed around 200 Maserati customers and journalists.
28 cars from Maserati’s 2019 model range travelled 4 routes, climbed 16 mountains and crossed 70 cities in 10 provinces, creating an M-shaped journey across the country.
China’s stunning landscapes provided the ideal backdrop and manifested the power, luxury and comfort of the Maserati Quattroporte, full Levante range and Ghibli. The distinct Chinese culture and ancient craftmanship echoed Maserati’s long history and endless pursuit of Italian excellence.
2019 is a landmark year for Maserati as it marks a double anniversary: the 105th anniversary of the legendary brand and its 15-year-journey in China. To celebrate the occasion, Maserati designed 4 exclusive routes that matched China’s striking natural landscapes and unique culture with the distinct Italian flair and elegance of the Maserati brand.
The participants crossed the peaks and rivers of the Yangtze River area, visited cultural sites to discover ancient wisdom, followed the historic Silk Road to learn about its significance in linking cultures of the East and West, and traversed the vast and breath-taking mountain landscapes of Western China.
The Grand Tour was led by the Quattroporte, full Levante range and Ghibli, with each model revealing their unique characteristics along the way. The modern and dynamic design of the Ghibli, with its elegant styling and streamlines, was in fine contrast with the exquisite and skillfully constructed architecture in Eastern China and Pingyao Ancient City.
The Levante, Levante Trofeo and GTS, conquered the challenging terrains of the Gobi desert on the ancient Silk Road and surmounted the mountains and glaciers from Dunhuang to Chengdu. Whether set against rivers, mountains, highlands or ancient temples, the iconic Quattroporte exuded charm and timeless sophistication in every location and from every angle with comfort and grace.
During the Grand Tour, Maserati customers and journalists experienced some of China’s most famous art and craftsmanship monuments, from the magnificent architecture of ancient Buddhist temples to the former residences of Tang dynasty poet Liu Zongyuan and famous Qing Dynasty painter Zhang Daqian.
The participants were also inspired by China’s longstanding passion for crafting works of beauty and sophistication, like the Dongyuan letterpress printing, the “living fossil of ancient printing techniques”, and the exquisite lacquer-ware of Pingyao Ancient City.
