Maserati article - future plans

keith

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624

If the above link works it's to an article in Autocar discussing what Maserati are supposed to be launching and when. A lot of it had been mentioned before such as the MC20 Sports car which apparently is going to be in excess of £100,000; and the facelift and more autonomous hybrid Ghibli with the same now happening to the QP and Levente.
For me, more interesting is what is happening further down the road. The two car saloon line up of QP and Ghibli are to be dropped in 2023, as the article said due to reduced 4door car sales generally worldwide, and they will be replaced by a new model using the QP name but more the size of the current Ghibli, and the styling will be that of a 4 door coupe like the Mercedes CLS. I think that could be a hi sensible move as taking the equivalent BMW 5 / 7 Series and Mercedes E / S Class is too tall an order for Maserati. Although the article said it would use the QP name, it may make more sense to take another name all together, and offering it to existing Ghibli/QP owners as a new alternate direction for Maserati saloon cars.
If all this is true, given the Coupe style of this new product, the designers I expect, will be freed from the constraints of providing interior space to match rivals, and as a result a really stunning shaped car could emerge.
I think Jaguar will be doing likewise when they launch their all new electric XJ, supposedly later this year.
For me, I am still happy with my Ghibli diesel after virtually five years of ownership. All of which is very fortunate given that I have been unable to get a job in fifteen months, so any new model will remain a distant dream!!!
 
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safrane

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16,749
Too may promises and not enough metal... sadly I have seen a 'regeneration' story far to often with Maserati and ao far it has just weekend the brand.

OK sales may be up overall but at the moment who aspires to the current offerings?

As for the new MC20...or 21 etc, all shiw and not enough go (sales) is my fear; leaving little for a new GS/GT replacement. Why the Alfi was left to wither away I have no idea.

Here's hoping I am wrong.
 

Ewan

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6,757
A modern 2 seat Maserati to replace my Strad, plus a more sensibly sized (for UK country roads) 4 door (QP) family saloon? Yes please. One of each. Just as long as they get the styling, sound and finish correct.
 

sionie1

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1,310
A modern 2 seat Maserati to replace my Strad, plus a more sensibly sized (for UK country roads) 4 door (QP) family saloon? Yes please. One of each. Just as long as they get the styling, sound and finish correct.
Are you aiming for one of the above per model and sound for both? I mean styling, sound AND finish..in one car? Blimey... if they do that then can I start a book now on the infotainment system being from a current model.

I am, of course, hoping for the above as well..
 

conaero

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34,594
Well, this is the correct route if Maserati can deliver.

My issue is though that they need the team in place to produce the super sports cars and engines. Yes they do have the tech facilities but will be going up against the best and need to deliver first attempt or they will shoot them selves in the foot.

C’mon Maserati, blow our minds again and deliver.
 

highlander

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5,214
In a half empty mood today so aptly my thoughts are I'll believe it when I see it. Their history of a lack of follow through for anything to replace the GT for 15 years plus does not bode well for those of us that are looking for more to aspire to than an updated saloon or 4 wheel drive bus IMO.
I'll get my coat.....
 

Phil H

Member
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4,107
In a half empty mood today so aptly my thoughts are I'll believe it when I see it. Their history of a lack of follow through for anything to replace the GT for 15 years plus does not bode well for those of us that are looking for more to aspire to than an updated saloon or 4 wheel drive bus IMO.
I'll get my coat.....
Cheer up, I've had a sneak preview:

70664

;)

PH
 

midlifecrisis

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16,102
By selling off Ferrari, FCA should have the cash to make Maserati their halo brand, the MC20 being a 488/911 competitor if not Vantage. I'd be happy with a 4200/GS replacement as the GT is too big to hustle
 

Hawk13

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1,471
Bored now ... heard it all before.

For me Maserati must have a halo car in the MC20 but the problem is with the pricing. Whether we like it or not, Maserati does not have the kudos of Ferrari and Aston Martin so will not be able to sell a £200,000 car unless is it better in every respect (which of course is not going to happen).

Dropping down to Audi R8 and Porsche 911 territory and pricing at £130,000 ish would be more sensible if they want market share but still a tough ask .... and huge competition as both brands have created a reputation of being reliable enough to use as a daily driver.

Let's hope September brings some proper pictures, pricing and specs.
 

StuartW

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9,306
My issue is though that they need the team in place to produce the super sports cars and engines.

That's the issue right there now that Ferrari are no longer supplying the engines but that could turn out to be a good thing, releasing the shackles as it were
 

Chrisb2015

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538
I think it is an incredibly difficult task to make Maserati truly successful. Does anyone know the volumes they would need to achieve to satisfy the FCA Group? I have no idea what successful looks like for Maserati. When they launched the Ghibli and Levante, it was supposed to propel them towards 75,000 cars per year. They never really got close to that unfortunately. Whilst I liked the product overall, it's clear the public at large didn't and that can only be down to perceived value. Ultimately price/performance/quality didn't hit the spot. So what do they do? I think it is too easy to say increase everything, performance, quality and price because the quality of the competition is staggering. If they launched a new QP/Ghibli, it is very unlikely to be class leading anywhere. A new M5 or E series will likely be faster and more technologically advanced and far cheaper whilst a Bentley will likely be more luxurious. Where do they win? Or more importantly where do they win often enough? The same can be said for the Levante. As for the new MC20, it really is stepping into the big league at the reported 200K price point. Will it be better than a Mclaren to drive? Unlikely as they seem to be the best of the all the cars for people wanting to actually drive the nuts off them. Will it hold the same appeal as their other Italian cousins? History tells us it won't. So where do they go? Everyone has tried to take the crown of the 911 as the everyday sports car and all have ultimately failed to get close. Even the 911 market is congested with Mclaren, R8, NSX, Vantage and the AMG GT. I hope they succeed and as an owner I would love to see them have a 3 or 4 car line up of competitive cars but I don't currently see how they can do that in the coming years without colossal investment, which is incredibly unlikely in the current climate.

Perhaps the answer will come from within the FCA group. With platform sharing the way of the world the FCA Giorgio platform could provide the basis of a new super saloon and GT. Its class leading in the Alfa QF so is a great place to start, can be adapted for saloon/coupe configuration, has a cracking 2.9TT engine at its disposal, can accommodate 4WD and with mild hybrid would produce silly HP numbers. Much of the development cost will have already been absorbed so may help financially. This could even be used for the Levante. If it works for VW/Porsche/Lamborghini/Bentley then why not? Add the MC20 into the mix and the line up looks better than it ever has. Would that be enough? I am still not sure.

What are other people's thoughts as to how you can make Maserati successful? And building cars exclusively for the brand enthusiasts on here doesn't count!
 

Hawk13

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1,471
I think the issue is that not enough people WANT a Maserati and even less just end up with one. Mercedes and BMW have got the premium saloon market nailed down and it will take a lot of convincing / years of reliability to convince drivers to switch to a Ghibli.

IMO the QP is a niche car and will continue to sell at current levels.

Levante, in my opinion and experience, isn't good enough to compete with Porsche and Mercedes, let alone the BMW X offerings. And I can't imagine that a smaller version will be a patch on the Macan or sporty Jag / Audis.

So that leaves the GT. I love it but too few people want a true 4 seater GT and if you are happy with 2 (or 2+2) there are very good offering from Aston, Porsche etc etc.

Which is why the MC20 MUST be a halo car.
 

conaero

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What Maserati do have going for them is their onsite test facility at Modena.

The forum was there last year as part of the factory tour.

They were testing the engines, more so the V6T Alfa QV engine and this is what the Maserati new engine will be...an evolution.

Other than engine testing for Maserati, they also do work for the rest of the group inc Ferrari.

Additional to engineering, they have other test facilities such as sealed environmental test rooms where cars are sealed and humidity etc conditions are tested. Again, these services are hired out and do work for all sorts of marques. They had German cars in there too and was told they also to work for Pagani down the road.

So, while the engine build and design is mainly done at Ferrari, the testing is done at Maserati and its clear to see that even if Ferrari is nothing to do with FCA per say, the brands are all working closely together despite what we are led to believe.

This makes sense as it would be madness for Alfa, Maserati and Ferrari to all have duplicate departments. Also you have to remember the Peugeot connection and even more access to resources.

So Maserati as a car maker is more than just this, it makes revenue from many other avenues and collaboration.
 

allandwf

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10,958
Their history is lost on the majority of young people, in my experience, they are see as a designer brand, akin to Gucci, and the like. I think they need to address this.
 

Oneball

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What Allan said. And if it’s anything to go by Ford are dropping the Mondeo worldwide and it’s not being replaced.
 

tasnam

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I realize many of these decisions and vision goals were made year(s) ago - pre-virus and down economy BUT wouldn't it make more s ense right now to build a new GT 4 seat version before a 2 seater? I mean I am far from knowledgeable about the car industry but is the demand more for a 2 seater or GT 4 seater?
 

Gazcw

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What Allan said. And if it’s anything to go by Ford are dropping the Mondeo worldwide and it’s not being replaced.
I thought I read somewhere that ford were dropping most cars in favour of SUV. I could be drunk though!!