A new direction for Maserati?

[conaero]

I wouldn’t say a Ghibli is ugly, think it looks rather smart. The whole diesel thing was a mistake and the fact the didn’t develop it into a Stradale version.

Each to their own I guess.

 

[Zep]

Hahaha......Peolpe just didn't like Dany Bahar.....As a Lotus fan at the time I though his vision for future Lotus models were spot on.....the new cars looked great. Esprit, two seater, 4 seater......

I think his vision outstripped the available resources. Which is probably what mine does too!

 

[Zep]

The other two remaining models needs consideration.

It’s two of:
Smaller SUV
GranTurismo + Cab
Alfieri + Cab

99% of you lot would pick 2&3 but commercial viability is key.

Porsche model is probably the one to mirror so viability would suggest 1&3 which would leave no room for a GranTurismo but I feel this is the trade off.

This way, I feel die hard Maserati fans would pick two of the above, one sports and one SUV or QP.

Regarding new customer sales, saloon cars are not where the money is, new sales are mostly SUV and there is no getting away from that fact.

A variant of the above formula would be to ditch the QP, force those sales into a Range Rover type Levante and develop the GranTurismo.

As Alfa has found to its cost being the fastest kid on the block (QV) does not drive base model sales...a scenario to be avoided.

I toyed with the idea of the Macan sized SUV, but it would be beaten by the Stelvio.

As a brand in the orbit of Ferrari it works, as part of the main FCA line up it will go the way of Lancia.

Totally agree about the death of the Diesel.

 

[JonW]

If going for a four car range

First - a modern day equivalent of the Gransport. 2 doors, 2 seats, V6 twin turbo. Cheaper alternative to entry-level Ferrari. Competing against 911 and Vantage

Second - a proper grand tourer. A new Granturismo. 2 doors, seat 4 adults in luxury. Engine choice of a V8 hybrid or V8 NA.

Third - a slightly smaller Quattroporte. Maybe on the same chassis and floor pan as the Granturismo. Same engine choice as the Granturismo.

Fourth - a sporty SUV look alike. All 3 engine choices. Needs to be competing against the Cayenne, Range Rover Sport, and the Bentayga... not an alternative to an X5

 

[Wanderer]

I'd go for a two or three car range, Exec GT 4 door a la QP, similar 2 door coupe, 4 seater, and maybe a similar cabriolet. All front engine RWD.

For me Maserati is the comfy, big, fast Italian car, Ferrari and Lamborghini do the two-seat mid-engine thing better.

 

[Vince2]

For me Maserati is the comfy, big, fast Italian car, Ferrari and Lamborghini do the two-seat mid-engine thing better.

Agreed

 

[Zep]

This is an interesting perception. The earliest cars were either racers or Granturismo type cars. The QP only went into full production after Maserati were acquired by Fiat.

But that this is a current perception should in some way have a bearing on the future of the brand.

 

[Wanderer]

This is an interesting perception. The earliest cars were either racers or Granturismo type cars. The QP only went into full production after Maserati were acquired by Fiat.

But that this is a current perception should in some way have a bearing on the future of the brand.

They always had a QP tho, from early 60's on, QP1, the only alternatives from Italian stables have been the Iso Lele (I think) and was the Lamborghini Espada a four door? Think it was a two door four seater from memory...

There was the Monteverdi 4 door, don't remember the model, but I think they were Swiss, maybe from an Italian speaking Kanton? Apart from the QP's tho, all pretty fugly.

It's why I always hankered after the Ferrari 400 series coupe, still do in a way, but I'd probably end up disappointed if I got one, look a bit boxy now and it would have to be the 365 GT4 2+2, with the six lights on the rear and the spinners - interestingly Eurospares have one for braking, but they won't sell whole cars....

 

[Zep]

They always had a QP tho, from early 60's on, QP1, the only alternatives from Italian stables have been the Iso Lele (I think) and was the Lamborghini Espada a four door? Think it was a two door four seater from memory...

There was the Monteverdi 4 door, don't remember the model, but I think they were Swiss, maybe from an Italian speaking Kanton? Apart from the QP's tho, all pretty fugly.

It's why I always hankered after the Ferrari 400 series coupe, still do in a way, but I'd probably end up disappointed if I got one, look a bit boxy now and it would have to be the 365 GT4 2+2, with the six lights on the rear and the spinners - interestingly Eurospares have one for braking, but they won't sell whole cars....

The first Maserati were race cars in the 20s and 30s, first grantourers were the A6 series from 1947, replaced with the 3500 GT and 5000 GT in ‘57. After a few more GT iterations the QP came along in ‘63. But I was wrong about it being a Fiat thing.

So there was about 15 years of GT production beforehand and race cars from the mid 20s until 1957 when they retired from racing completely. QP production was on and off, GT production has been a constant since the 40s.

 

[Oneball]

Ferrari have got the Portofino and GTC they could platform share with. The new Ferrari suv will appear I’m sure of it and the Guila could be made bigger.

They need to stop doing a SAAB before they end up in the same place. Hopefully the new ceo will give them a new direction.

 

[P R]

A few comments on some of the above..

Dropping the Ghibli and shortening the QP = dropping the QP (its a 30cm extended Ghibli). Ok so you could change its name. It was done like this mainly for the Chinese market.
LWB Giulia is already in the "plan" for Alfa as far as I remember.
I dont have a problem with a diesel Maserati unlike most. What I have a problem with is that they should have developed the twin turbo version. It should be at the very least as good as the competition. I know this wont happen now with the diesel backlash
Range for me would be Alfieri (and cab version), Levante, smaller SUV, Ghibli or 5m equiv with possibly a LWB version for China (effectively what we have now with the Ghibli and the QP)
The Ghibli is a smart looking car

 

[outrun]

I like the Ghibli as well, looks much better than the current QP which is so bland. I'd jazz up the Ghibli and drop the QP. Alfieri with at least 500bhp, new Ghibli (call it a QP if you like, it has 4 doors), Levante. And a lunatic halo 700bhp thing a la 812 superfast.

 

[Contigo]

The Ghibli looks great in the right spec. The GT/S is the best looker of the last 50 years of any car (maybe the Ghibli 1 is the most beautiful and 3500GT) and they need a replacement now. The mad part is that the California should have worn a Trident and was actually developed under a Maserati code name but when Ferrari saw it they snaffled it as they didn't have a GT car like it at the time. Maserati have been treated like the poor sibling.

 

[conaero]

Phil, the concepts were swapped mid production, Maserati could have had the Cali but would not have had the GT....I think you answered that in your post above and I agree, GT over Cali

 

[Felonious Crud]

Cheaper alternative to entry-level Ferrari. Competing against 911 and Vantage

I heard that Ferrari is bring out a new entry-level model, maybe next year. Somewhere sub-Portofino prices, so presumably competing with the Porkie GT3 or a future S variant of the new AM Vantage.

If so that would be a tough market for Maserati to compete in.

Still, I like these ideas and I look forward to seeing what course the new man at the helm is able to steer.

 

[safrane]

Or they could badge a version 'Maserati' and sell it for 25% less.

 

[P R]

What do people think of a smaller saloon? Im thinking of a rebodied Giulia Quad but with more power?

 

[Chrisb2015]

What do people think of a smaller saloon? Im thinking of a rebodied Giulia Quad but with more power?

Isn’t the Ghibli already small enough inside anyway? Surely any less space will turn it into a 2+2 with seats only suitable for the very small or short journeys

 

[P R]

Isn’t the Ghibli already small enough inside anyway? Surely any less space will turn it into a 2+2 with seats only suitable for the very small or short journeys

Width wise and boot wise its fine. Its the rear that gets critisized, and I think its ok. Not great but ok.

I was more on about a D segment offering, rather than the E segment that the Ghibli is

 

[mattjevans]

Ok so Fiat phone you up and beg you to become the CEO of Maserati...what’s your plan?

It has to be commercially viable and within the constraints of the Fiat Group.

I’m going to take some time to consider my response.

Drop the Levante altogether, and refocus the brand on coupes and sedans.

Start with a revamp of the GranTurismo. No one will want a Maserati if there isn't a "halo" car. Dump the stupid Alfieri name, better off to make it the "Bora S" if you want to keep some historical association. The overall shape of the current coupe could be largely kept (still appeals to many) but modern engine/transmission/suspension/chassis tech (double-clutch, maybe go 4wd?) and infotainment. Turbo v8 or hybrid. Price it in the £120-150k range to compete with the Panamera/Bentley Conti. Don't limit numbers. In 3 years add a limited edition Stradale at £150k+ (make it v12?).

Keep the Quattroporte largely as is but add an estate/"shooting brake" model.

For volume sales add an estate and a coupe ("New Shamal"?) to the Ghibli platform/model range (which will benefit from association with the revamped GT) rather than straying back into the SUV market.