- Maserati's forthcoming SUV will not be called Kubang, as originally expected.
- It will be based on a Jeep Grand Cherokee platform, with elements from the Mercedes M-Class.
- Engines will be sourced from Maranello and hooked to a Fiat eight-speed automatic transmission.
DETROIT — Imagine a Detroit-built Jeep Grand Cherokee with Maserati skin and cockpit — and a Ferrari-based engine under the hood. Oh, and it won't be called Kubang.
Fiat boss Sergio Marchionne insisted Tuesday, at the North American unveiling of the Maserati Kubang concept, that the production version that's due in 2013 will be "pure Maserati."
In fact, the luxury-sport crossover will be built on the same platform as the Grand Cherokee, and will be assembled on the same line at Chrysler's Jefferson North plant in Detroit. In essence, the new Maserati CUV will have several sperm donors, including Mercedes-Benz, which co-developed the architecture that underpins the Grand Cherokee and its own M-Class.
But don't expect to find a Chrysler Hemi V8 under the hood. Marchionne said at the Detroit auto show that the SUV will be powered by a Ferrari twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 making upwards of 500 hp.
"If it doesn't have a Ferrari block, it isn't a Maserati," Marchionne insisted at the Detroit show. "I could have used a supercharged Hemi, but then it wouldn't have been an authentic Maserati."
To strengthen at least this portion of its heritage, Maserati has brought in Paolo Martinelli to head powertrain development. Martinelli formerly headed engine development for Ferrari's Formula 1 team.
Fiat, which controls both the Ferrari and Maserati brands, said the engines for the Maserati crossover will be assembled in Maranello and will be mated to Fiat's eight-speed automatic transmission.
In addition, it said all the significant chassis tuning will be performed by Maserati engineers in Modena.
The original Kubang concept, which looks considerably different from the current interpretation, made its global debut at the 2003 Detroit show and eventually was shelved by Maserati.
Inside Line says: What will the production Kubang be called? Perhaps Cinqueporte — the five-door companion to the Quattroporte sedan.
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cubozoan says:
05:28 AM, 01/12/2012
a Detroit-assembled Maserati. uh...
govmotorgm2008 says:
04:52 AM, 01/12/2012
What..i was not aware Mazda and Maserati was sharing the same body for their suv. Looks just like the new Mazda CX9. The Kaboom looks like a CX9. Give me the Mazda ...its less expensive, looks the same, and more reliable.
The Italians should keep to making leather goods made by Chinese living in Italy. Cars are to much technology for them.
Wait...just took a second look. Is this the new Buick Enclave. Yuckie!
lolxd says:
02:05 AM, 01/12/2012
I'd love to own this more than a Range Rover or a Porsche Cayenne.
supremecrash says:
10:04 PM, 01/11/2012
Much better design than the previously announced Kubang >>> http://www.insideline.com/maserati/marchionne-confirms-ferrari-engine-for-maserati-suv.html
speeddemon086 says:
09:33 PM, 01/11/2012
To anyone that doesn't like this car,now people can say they can have a Maserati SUV. With Maserati's exceptional luxury. I think thats cool!
damaje says:
08:36 PM, 01/11/2012
Considering Italian cars are known for bullet proof reliability I think it is funny the name is the explosion sound in a cartoon. Or I guess it could be the sound it makes when the mob hooks a bomb up to the ignition switch to take someone out.
I agree with anyone who think it looks like it what happens when the Infiniti FX did not pull out of a Kia Sportage in time. The pull and pray method never works!
vhorizon says:
12:54 PM, 01/11/2012
funny name
saunupe1911 says:
11:12 AM, 01/11/2012
@danwilson1,
You misinterpreted the statement. I'm not saying the SLS interior is cheap...its gorgeous. I'm saying the could place a cheap, low scale version of it in the Viper.
danwilson1 says:
10:40 AM, 01/11/2012
sanuper1911:
"cheap SLS interior"
----------------------------------
Huh?
That interior is gorgeous. Well-crafted and designed and the materials are more than upscale and high quality.
I don't anything in that cabin that can be described as "cheap".
darkman_xxl says:
10:09 AM, 01/11/2012
This looks like a bastard son from an orgy involving the Kia Optima (rear), a Mazda S/CUV (body), and maybe a tad bit of Infinity FX in the front......