- Maserati has selected a specially outfitted Alfa Giulietta as a customer courtesy car for its European dealers.
- The "Giulietta for Maserati" is based on the 235-horsepower Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde.
- Both marques are part of the Fiat group.
MODENA, Italy — Maserati has selected a specially outfitted Giulietta from sister brand Alfa Romeo as a customer courtesy car for its European dealers. Both marques are part of the Fiat group.
Built in a limited run of 100 cars, the "Giulietta for Maserati" is based on the 235-horsepower Giulietta Quadrifoglio.
Special features include a custom interior with power seats upholstered in Maserati Brown full-grain leather. The cars feature a burnished brushed-aluminum "Alfa Romeo for Maserati" dashboard plate, as well as an aluminum kick plate engraved with the "Giulietta" and "Maserati" names.
Exterior highlights include diamond-tooled 18-inch alloy rims and oversize brakes with red calipers.
Inside Line says: Not much difference from the standard Giulietta — but still visually stunning.
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quen47 says:
11:44 PM, 12/07/2011
@rivernile
I see the point (although if what isend2c is saying is correct, Hyundai is offering a lesser car- the Equus is pricier than the Genesis), but I don't think it is valid, because of the different markets that we are talking about. I lived in Europe for years. A special-edition Alfa for Maserati is more than fine by most European Maserati customers as a loaner, and would be seen as an upmarket car, regardless of the fact that there are much cheaper mass-market versions of the Giulietta. It would certainly be preferred to a large Korean sedan. I think it is very hard for Americans to grasp the different ideas that Europeans have about car size, prestige, and badges.
That said, it's not apples-to apples because unlike Hyundai, Maserati doesn't have a lot of options. A Quattorporte as a loaner? I guess, but that seems a little silly given how few are made. My point is this- for the European market, offering special-edition Alfas is a great idea. It might not work in the US because of the hatchback hate, but its a great plan for Europe.
rivernile says:
08:01 PM, 12/07/2011
@quen47,
I think you are missing the point that isend2c is making. If Hyundai gives gives you a better model as a replacement car when you take your car to the shop, shouldn't a prestigious company like Maserati follow suit? If I took my Audi to the repair shop, I would not like them to give me a VW as a replacement car (even though they are both owned by VW).
agentorange says:
11:58 AM, 12/07/2011
@quen47
"Alfa has a much stronger brand image that Hyundai in Europe and Europeans don't have the hangups about upmarket hatchbacks that the US does."
100% true about Alfa in Europe. However, I suspect that the US is incapable of admitting there is such a thing as an upmarket hatchback. Most Americans I know would prefer to called a puppy kicking child molester before ever willingly driving a hatchback.
quen47 says:
09:52 PM, 12/06/2011
@isend2c
I'm going to go out on a limb and say that the average European Maserati customer would much, much, much rather have a sporty and luxurious Italian hatchback as a loaner than a big Korean family sedan. Nothing against the Genesis, which is a fine car, but quite frankly Europeans just don't drive large cars from mainstream manufacturers (and indeed neither the Equus nor the Genesis are not sold in Europe). Alfa has a much stronger brand image that Hyundai in Europe and Europeans don't have the hangups about upmarket hatchbacks that the US does.
cardesigner82 says:
07:35 PM, 12/06/2011
I agree with you @ isend2c
That's pretty LAME of them to offer not only a cheaper car, but another brand (although still FIAT group). What does that say about Maserati? Better yet, what does it say about how they feel about their customers?
isend2c says:
05:03 PM, 12/06/2011
I'd be irritated if I was getting my Maserati service (which I may do in 60 years, when I can afford one)! Hyundai gives a much nicer Genesis Sedan as a courtesy car for Equus owners and Maserati give a little (though nice) hatchback? I think that's pretty lame. The cost difference is far more dramatic than Hyundai's.
bankerdanny says:
10:56 AM, 12/06/2011
Looks a lot like a WRX from that view