Our friends over at Carscoop managed to get hold of Fiat Group internal documentation that appears to show the product plan for Maserati products. Rumours have been flying around recently regarding a potential 911 rival for the Italian brand. The rumours suggest that this could be based on the Alfa Romeo 4C platform with power provided by a Ferrari engine of some description.
Unfortunately, the documentation the Carscoop posted makes no mention of a 911 rival. The first car to break cover will be the entry level sedan, the Ghibli, due early next year. After this, we could potentially see another Maserati release with the Levante UV towards the end of the year.
Next up is the GranTurismo replacement, due in 2014 followed by the GranCabrio and the sportier version, the GranSport. Of course, the 911 rival isn’t the only product missing, the rumoured smaller SUV isn’t there.
The images reveal a few details about Maserati’s target markets. They reveal that the US market remains Maserati’s number one market and that the Asian market is growing. The pictures also reveal that Maserati will be targeting a production level of 50,000 cars by 2015. Between 2012 and 2014, Maserati will be investing €1 billion.
Ghibli
Many are speculating that the Ghibli will measure almost five meters exactly. That’s 9.7cm shorter than the outgoing Quattroporte and just over 10cm longer than the current BMW 5-Series. Speculation suggests that it will ride on the platform that underpins the Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger whist power might come via a turbocharged V6 unit that develops approximately 400hp.
The Ghibli will almost certainly be built at the former Carrozzeria Bertone plant that Fiat acquired three years ago.
Levante
The Maserati Levante should be based on the Jeep Grand Cheroke platform. It will likely feature a 4.7-liter Ferrari V8 and a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox. The engine will be created by Paolo Martinelli, developed by Maserati, and made by Ferrari. The name Levante means ‘East’ in Italian, of course, China and Asia generally is Maserati’s market.
Of course, Maserati may also choose to use a VM 3-liter V6 diesel pushing out 300hp. This power plant would also make its way into the Ghibli. While the Maserati and Jeep SRT8 and Levante have been testing side by side, they are both expected to be very different cars with different engines, suspension components and wheels.
What they ( FIAT SpA ) are saying ;
” Here’s our pretentious and fictitious plans for expansion ”
What they’re not telling you
Maserati is on the verge of bankruptcy – the Italian Government has told Marchionne ” No bailouts for you ! ” – Every investor/hedge fund etc worldwide has laughed Sergio out of the room when he’s come begging for alms … and the US Government has once again told him ” Keep your bloody hands off Chryslers cash reserves and No Bailouts for You from Us ( US ) as well ”
Kind of a very different picture when what FIAT SpA isn’t telling you comes to the fore now ….. isn’t it ! ;-)
I think in this day and age they call it publicity should that be the SPECULATION of bankruptcy, it’s a form of marketing being it sells the “name brand”.
Because at the end of the day all that is left in our minds is the name brand “Maserati”, it’s just media to reel ya in being advertising = economy…
The main players behind it all have plenty of $$$’s to throw at it should it need it!, they will play the highest of hierarchy of any company to get whats needed done (economy)..
It’s “up there” what to do man, just gotta get the right area is the tricky bit…..