A Maserati for the Masses

conaero

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Obviously a chop, but looks promising, I am just worried it will cheapen the brand and remove a little of the mistique of the Maserati marque, but suppose they are a money machine now, your thoughts.......

masterati-quattroporte-front-three-quarters.jpg


Sub-Quattroporte Sedan Set For 2014
From the August, 2010 issue of Motor Trend / By Paul Horrell

Maserati is set to build a midsize sport luxury sedan to rival the likes of the BMW 5 Series/M5, Mercedes CLS/AMG, Jaguar XF/XFR, and Cadillac CTS/CTS-v. The car is smaller than the Quattroporte, which will continue. It will go on market about 2014, probably as a '15 model in the U.S. Although it's in the product plan, there's no frozen design (one possible look is depicted in the illustration), and running prototypes would be years away. Maserati wants to become a "relevant player" within its chosen luxury segments. Adding the new model would allow it to strengthen dealer coverage and brand visibility. The all-new car is part of Maserati's 2010-'14 business plan, which Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne recently revealed to investors.

Two variants are envisaged. The entry version, Maserati says, would be priced just above $68,000 (based on recent exchange rates), which puts it around the upper V-8 versions of those cars. The upper version of the Maserati would be about 20 percent more expensive. Maserati's DNA -- sporty handling, rich-sounding engines, distinctive style -- is claimed to be safe, but in a "new product package."

Officials give no further details on the car's platform. We believe it would use components designed to give the company a parts set able to support both this new midsize car and the next-generation Quattroporte, as well as the replacements for the current GranTurismo and GranCabrio.

For 2013, Maserati will renew the Quattroporte. The company's stated intention is to trim the price of the base model about 10 percent, while keeping the upper version where it is. Officials are aware quality needs to be improved too. Even with the new, cheaper entry-level model, there would still be clear water between the base Quattroporte and the top of the new more compact sedan, but Maserati would have a wider range of cars at better prices, pushing up the chances of sales headway.

Maserati told investors it wants the compact sedan to gain 10 percent of the global "high-end E" segment, the Quattroporte to reach 8 percent of its luxury segment, and the GranCabrio and GranTurismo to maintain their positions.
 
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Andyk

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Ummm, not so sure....Ther is def something there but more work needed..
 

Parisien

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Don't look bad at all...need to see it from all angles though...just hope they don't get too cosy with those....................who aint really got a clue about car design, superior engines, brilliant styling.........ie the USA !

We can do without utter blandness and a failure to understand what an Italian car is...represents!


P


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Emtee

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The picture's neither here nor there as it's just some artists impression, but sadly the clue's in the title - "A Maserati for the masses".

I see focus groups, design by committee, price point first - design and flair second, lowest common denominator thinking...etc, etc.

But hey, hopefully I'm being overly skeptical and perhaps just a little bit precious?
 

conaero

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Myles is correct, the image is just some jounos impression of what it could be. I have thought this for a long time, that this is infact the Alfa 169. The big Alfas never sell well and seeing that the two companies are tied, this has been passed to Maserati to slap the badge on. It will be interesting to see which factory its built in, Milan or Maranello.
 

Emtee

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Myles is correct, the image is just some jounos impression of what it could be. I have thought this for a long time, that this is infact the Alfa 169. The big Alfas never sell well and seeing that the two companies are tied, this has been passed to Maserati to slap the badge on. It will be interesting to see which factory its built in, Milan or Maranello.

Yes That's true. Hmm could fly? The 'GTA' spec wasn't bad.
 

Emtee

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There'll need to be V8's further up though. 500+ bhp is required to take on the torque-monsters.
 

Andyk

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Aha, andy! Told you you'd sneak a peak!!

No I was home but I was under instructions not to put the internet on until today as the beloved wanted Friday to be like holiday and not back to normal.....So actualy Miles I did sneak and little peak....