- Maserati is expected to reveal a successor to the Quattroporte later this year.
- The Italian sports-car maker also is working on a smaller sedan aimed at premium German competitors, as well as a luxury crossover.
- The midrange sedan, code-named M157, likely won't be launched before 2014.
MODENA, Italy — Maserati is expected to reveal a successor to the Quattroporte later this year and is working on a smaller sedan aimed at premium German competitors, as well as a luxury crossover.
The two additional models and the redesigned Quattroporte sedan eventually could lift Maserati's annual sales to around 20,000 units, according to insiders. Last year, the company sold 5,675 cars amid the recession and remained profitable. Although it hit a record of nearly 8,600 units in 2008, Maserati's goal of 20,000 sales a year is clearly an ambitious target.
Maserati's replacement for the Quattroporte, code-named M156, is likely to be unveiled at this fall's 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. The car has been designed in-house, and draws from the design language of the current GranTurismo coupe and convertible. It will retain an improved (and less thirsty) version of the existing 4.7-liter V8, but it's thought that other engines may be added to the lineup.
Maserati intends to nudge the next-generation Quattroporte ever so slightly upmarket and reposition it against the Aston Martin Rapide and the Porsche Panamera.
A smaller sedan, code-named M157 and pitched at the high end of the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class models, is also under development, although it will not be launched until closer to 2014. Price target for this new "entry-level" Maserati is around $75,000.
In 2012-'13, the company also plans to offer a luxury utility vehicle, an idea it has explored in the past with the well-received Kubang concept. The premium SUV is likely to share architecture with both Jeep and Alfa Romeo models, although it will have its own distinctive style, more potent engines — including at least one shared with Ferrari — and a very posh interior.
Inside Line says: Maserati is a small player and will remain so even at 20,000 units a year, but it could become considerably more profitable with this significantly extended model lineup. — Richard Bremner, Correspondent
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carcrazed4life says:
07:11 AM, 03/23/2011
I thought the Baby QP/M157 is suppose to be aimed at the A6 4.2, 550i, M56, XF, E550. Meaning not the S6/M5/XFR/E63 crowd. The previous group has mass (read volume) where as the Ms and AMGs are limited volume (less sales = less volume.)
I also thought that the base motor for the M157 was suppose to be a detuned version of the 4.3l found in the Ferrari California (460hp/360LbFt.) There was talk about midway through the cycle to have a Phoenix V6 installed to lower the price point for more mass volume by competing with the group's V6 counterparts.
The M156 for that reason shouldn't really move more upscale then where it is. Meaning it just needs to become more competitive (dimensionally as well.) Rumours had it pegged to use the base 120" Wheelbase platform of the Chrysler 300C (itself an older E-Class...) and have the Ferrari/Maserati team modernize it for their use. This would put it in the size range of a Porsche Panamera or a SWB A8, 750i, XJ, LS460, S550.
The M156 motor of choice was suppose to be a more tuned version of the 4.3l as the base motor (maybe a version similar to the base F430) with the use of a V12 to compete with the Higher Ends of both cars and push it into Rapide/Estoque pricing. Source of the V12 was unknown as any of the current V12 Ferrari motors were probably priced too high, and using an older V12 wouldn't be competitive.
The SUV is suppose to be based on the Durango version of the platform (not the Grand Cherokee) as it will have the Longer Wheelbase but be a larger 5 seater. Think GL550 or what an X7 would have been. Except designed for those who do not go off road at all. This option would provide the least overlap in the Fiat line up since a Jeep SRT and a Jeep GC based Maserati would compete to closely. With Maserati being a larger vehicle (and size demands a premium) they would have proper product spacing which is why I don't see a Durango SRT-8 anytime soon.
albook says:
12:40 PM, 03/22/2011
Maserati Grand Cherokee.....