- The long-awaited Maserati SUV reportedly will be built at a Chrysler plant in Detroit.
- The Maserati SUV is expected to share its basic underpinnings with the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
- Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne has said the Maserati SUV will feature a Ferrari engine.
DETROIT — The long-awaited Maserati SUV reportedly will be built at a Chrysler plant in Detroit, on the same line as the Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Quoting an unnamed source, Bloomberg reported Thursday that Maserati's first-ever SUV will be produced at Chrysler's Jefferson North assembly plant.
A concept version of the Maserati SUV, which will be based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, is expected to be unveiled at the upcoming 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show.
The Jeep-based Maserati is one of several extreme examples of cross-platform and component sharing being undertaken by Chrysler's corporate parent Fiat.
Earlier this year, Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne said the Maserati SUV would debut in 2012 and would feature a Ferrari engine — either a V8 or a V12, or both.
Maserati first explored the idea of a luxury SUV with its 2003 Kubang concept.
The Grand Cherokee may also spawn a made-in-Detroit Alfa Romeo derivative, similar in design to the brand's 2003 Kamal concept.
Inside Line says: The Kubang concept made its world debut, ironically enough, at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show.
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autospadetail says:
11:09 AM, 09/01/2011
that car already looks out dated. looks like a late 80's early 90;s car.
mklrivowner says:
06:52 AM, 08/19/2011
@kamigo - That's the 2003 concept.
I think a better representation would be something that looks like a middle road between a Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8 and Porsche Cayenne lines and styling with a Maserati styled front clip. I'd also expect ridiculously large wheels, Maserati-tuned sport suspension and NO trail-rated badges.
kamigo_factory says:
06:26 AM, 08/19/2011
Hideous! That looks like something out of the 70s. And the "GT Wagon" labels on the side have to go. They're horrid. Rumour has it this will be the first production car to come with a free bag of weed in the glove box.
zoomzoom22 says:
07:11 PM, 08/18/2011
Does this mean the next Grand Cherokee SRT8 will have a Ferrari engine?
mmichael says:
06:01 PM, 08/18/2011
@ryecatcher: I second that. Ugliness has a new name.
wjtinatl says:
05:23 PM, 08/18/2011
Uh Oh.... those Jeep/UAW workers are going to have to learn to love Chianti in addition to PBR! Good news however, drinking on the job is common practice in Italy, no more UAW grievance.
ryecatcher says:
04:20 PM, 08/18/2011
I think I died a little inside. Ugh.
morey000 says:
04:16 PM, 08/18/2011
Who stepped on my Tribeca?
akula1 says:
03:37 PM, 08/18/2011
That thing reminds me of the 1980's.
angry_mushroom says:
03:25 PM, 08/18/2011
Needs more bling...