The last time we spotted a prototype of the 2013 Maserati Quattroporte, it was playing around on the ice in the northern part of Sweden, but now that the weather is clearing up, the Italians are trying out their flagship sedan at the Nürburgring.

And while the trick camouflage remains, this time our spy shooters were able to grab better photos of the test mule.

We still can’t say for sure which parts of the prototype will pass on to the production model, but it does appear that the sixth generation of the Quattroporte will sport a more elongated roof, albeit not as far as dramatic as the test mule suggests.

Inside, the Fiat Group’s top saloon model will provide more space for the rear passengers as the car will ride on a slightly larger platform than the current Quattroporte, which is 5,097mm long, 1,895 mm wide, and 1,438mm tall with a 3,064mm wheelbase.

The new-generation of the Quattroporte will use a Ferrari-sourced V8, modified to better suite the car’s character, linked to a new 8-speed automatic transmission with a start and stop system that will help reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

Maserati’s rival to the Porsche Panamera as well as the BMW 7-Series is rumored to make its first public outing at the 2013 Detroit Motor Show next January before it goes on sale worldwide in the second quarter of the year.

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