[The__J__Factor]

Maserati SUV to get HEMI V8, not Ferrari power
By Brett Davis | June 27th, 2011

It was previously thought the all-new Maserati SUV would feature a Ferrari engine of some sort as part of the Maserati/Ferrari Fiat ownership. The new SUV will now do without the Ferrari powerplant in favour of a Chrysler HEMI V8.

(Rendered image)

Yep, some all-American grunt. Since the new SUV will be built upon the upcoming Jeep Grand Cherokee platform under the Fiat-Chrysler alliance, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has reportedly said the new vehicle will borrow the 6.4-litre HEMI V8 from the Jeep as well.

Power is expected to be somewhere near the 347kW mark. Even though Maserati certainly has the capability to come up with such figures using its Ferrari-derived 4.7-litre V8, the engine is considered to be too high-revving for the large SUV, and needs something with more low-end torque.

It won’t share much else with its American counterpart though. The flash Maserati will showcase plenty of luxury and elegance and typical Italian flare. The interior will likely be decked out in voluptuous lashings of leather, while the exterior will grace Maserati’s latest design philosophy with large rear ‘hips’ and an aggressive front end.

The Maserati SUV is set for production sometime in 2013. It will be built at Chrysler’s Jefferson North assembly plant in Detroit, US.

Makes sense. Still would rather an Italian engine in my Maserati

 

[GSBoek]

Why does Maserati feel the need to have an SUV?

 

[Bitter]

Same reason Porsche wants one....no ****ing clue.

 

[blacktsport]

They're all just copying Lamborghini, they did it back in the day just that their one was a proper off-roader!

LM002 FTW!

Try climbing sand dunes in your Maserati and see where it gets you

As for why they are thinking of producing an SUV, well Porsche have sold > 300k Cayennes, making them a tidy profit. You might not like them (I'd hope not!) but they do sell well. It's all about profits.

 

[06CivicSi]

^ I've seen Jeep Cherokees climb sand dunes so...

 

[ajh1717]

Same reason Porsche wants one....no ****ing clue.

Maserati has a reason to. They are more high end luxury than sports cars. Porsche has no reason to as that is all they were known for. I don't think sports car when I think maserati, I think luxury.

 

[The__J__Factor]

2013 Maserati Kubang

Maserati SUV concept leaked in 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show pocket guide
By Brett Davis | September 9th, 2011

In a recent 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show pocket guide booklet, an image and some details of the new Jeep Grand Cherokee-based Maserati SUV are revealed. Maserati hasn’t confirmed if this is what the concept version will look like at the show, but the odds are said to be fairly high.

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From the image, it looks very Maserati-esque, showcasing the traditional triplet of side vents at the rear of the front guard. A Maserati face is also detailed in the front end of this pocket guide image, featuring a big vertically vented grille and aggressive bonnet contours.

The pocket guide says that the Maserati SUV is expected to feature a 4.7-litre V8 engine under the bonnet producing around 335kW of power. It says the engine is likely to be backed up by an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

A diesel version of the Maserati SUV is also on the cards, however, according to the pocket guide, this variant will be reserved for the European market only. It will feature a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine producing around 225kW.

Pricing is yet to be revealed although it will be much higher than the top spec Jeep counterpart. Official specifications will be released at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show next week when the new Maserati SUV makes its international debut. We’ll keep you updated.

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In the meantime, what do you think of the new look? If this does represent the concept accurately and therefore represent the production version, is it worthy of carrying the exotic Italian badge? Feel free to give us your thoughts in the comments section below

I wont lie I don't hate it, like I thought I would.
Better then a cayenne for sure.

Sorry Motor couldn't find the other thread.

 

[ajh1717]

I like.

 

[GSBoek]

Bleh! Who will cave next, Ferrari?

 

[ajh1717]

Seems logical for them. They make grand tourers mostly, why not make a SUV. Now, if Ferrari does one then fawkkkkk

 

[HardtopGTS]

Ferrari did, the FF. A 4wd wagon off roader that doesn't.

 

[ajh1717]

Ferrari did, the FF. A 4wd wagon off roader that doesn't.

A wagon is not a SUV.

Huge difference and the FF is still fast as ****. Also, I don't think they tried making it a off road car. It doesn't have the ground clearance or tires for that. It was made to be the first ferrari that can be driven in bad weather and not have to worry because of its high tech awd.

 

[pmpjce]

looks dope

 

[HardtopGTS]

A wagon is not a SUV.

Huge difference and the FF is still fast as ****. Also, I don't think they tried making it a off road car. It doesn't have the ground clearance or tires for that. It was made to be the first ferrari that can be driven in bad weather and not have to worry because of its high tech awd.

A SUV is a wagon.

The Cayenne S is fast as hell. Lot of SUV's aren't intended to be an off road vehicle and don't have the tires for off road driving.

Ground clearance is the only real difference.

"Be driven in bad weather and not have to worry because of it's high tech awd" pretty much defines an SUV.

Regardless, Ferrari's direction is admireable where as Maserati's and Porsche's isn't so much.

 

[ajh1717]

A SUV is a wagon.

:faint:

 

[Motor]

Maserati Kubang Sort of Born From Jeeps

The Kubang (the name is an homage to a concept that debuted back at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show, and yes, it will keep that name once production starts) bears a passing similarity to the leaked shots that turned up on the Internet a couple weeks ago, suggesting that photochop was the work of "sources close to the automaker."

Why make a Maserati SUV? Well, Maserati CEO Harald Wester told the crowd, "Potential synergies with our sister brand Jeep are the important catalysts for this sport/luxury SUV project." We take that to mean that 4WD systems and likely platform architecture will be shared on the eventual production vehicle. This all lends credence to the earlier report that a Maserati SUV would be built in Detroit come 2013.

Engines are being developed in Modena, and will be built by Ferrari technicians for Maserati in Maranello. The transmission is an eight-speed automatic, undoubtedly traceable to ZF, which is already supplying that transmission to Chrysler.

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[Nlkko]

kubang?:ugh:

 

[sgenini]

dope

 

[Motor]

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[Motor]

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