The very brief run of Copperhead Pearl 2012 Dodge Chargers seemed to end just as quickly as it had began, but according to production updates the shade will be making its re-debut this summer on July 15th.  We had made note on our twitter feed that 2012 SRT Chargers in Copperhead were likely the rarest color, but that may not be the case for long.

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Most people have already become aware of the “LA platform” that will soon debut with the heavily revamped 2015 Dodge Challenger, and then later underpinning the  next generation Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300.  The first iterations of this platform have already debuted with the new Maserati Quattroporte and Maserati Ghibli.

While some suspension material differences between Maserati and Chrysler are possible (aluminum on one, cast iron or stamped steel on the other), we can still take a look at what general changes the new platform will bring with respect to the well known LX/LC/LD.  Most notable is the front suspension change, LX uses the Mercedes Benz W220 S-class control arm front suspension design and its been completely removed from the new platform.

It has been replaced with a much lighter and more sporting high-mounted double wishbone quadrilateral set-up that not only provides luxury ride characteristics and light precision steering, but also pure bred handling capabilities.  In the Maserati the shock towers, upper and lower control arms and uprights are all made of forged aluminum which are housed in an aluminum sub-frame.

The LX uses a 5-link rear suspension design that was pulled from the W210 Mercedes Benz E-class.  While durable and smooth, this suspension was built with comfort as the priority and with that comes excess play and movement, which doesn’t bode well for handling, so its been completely removed as well.

The replacement is a “state of the art” 5-bar muli-link system with four suspension arms which has been developed to offer premium ride characteristics plus extreme sports performance handling.  The Maseratis will use electronic adaptive Skyhook dampers at all four corners (SRT currently uses Bilstein, we expect this to continue) as well as anti roll bars and steel springs.

These new suspensions are what will allow SRT to build a Camaro Z/28 fighting Challenger T/A or ACR that is said to be shown next year, as the Challenger will be the first Chrysler Group vehicle to launch with the new architecture.  Lets just hope that the race to better CAFE numbers via weight reduction means the Chrysler cars will use just as much forged aluminum components as their Maserati brothers.

Set to debut at the 2013 Shanghai Motor Show later this month, the 2014 Maserati Ghibli images have leaked ahead of time as you see here.

Proving to be a “baby Quattroporte” with even better proportions and curves, we think the Ghibli will be a very strong competitor in the premium luxury E-segment category where it will take on the top trim Mercedes E-class, BMW 5-series and Jaguar XF.

The 2014 Ghibli will utilize gasoline V6 and V8 engines as well as a performance version of the VM 3.0L diesel V6 with rumored twin turbochargers.  All engines will be mated to the ZF 8-speed automatic and all wheel drive will be optional on some trim levels as well.

In depth technical details, dimensions and weight are still unknown at this time (although rumors suggest it will be under 195″ in length and below 4000lbs in heft) , but we will have the full scoop come Shanghai media day on April 20th.