Maserati Levante Trademarked for new sports Sedan?

conaero

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Maserati is readying three new production models for the market, one of which will bear the name “Levanteâ€, AutoGuide reported citing Motorionline.

The Italian luxury automaker has recently trademarked the “Levante†badge for use as a nameplate on one of its new vehicles. The Quattroporte will soon be getting a successor, the Kubang SUV concept is working its way into a production model, and the most likely of the three to use the Levante name is a new sports sedan being produced to compete with the likes of BMW's M5 and Audi's A7.

This new small sedan will be Maserati's answer to an affordable luxury car, supposedly starting around the $75,000 mark.
Maserati hasn't said which car will get the “Levante†title, but the company has given some obvious clues. The rights to the name “Cinqueporteâ€, which literally translates to five doors, has also been trademarked by the company, and is the clear choice for the new SUV. The “Quattroporte†badge is already a nameplate with some prestige attached to it, so changing it to something new and unknown is also unlikely. That leaves the new sports sedan, which we would bet will be named “Levante†when it debuts sometime in 2013.
 

Woody

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Interesting. A smaller QP would be nice, but with the Kubang, IMO, they're diluting the brand.

I know its a business/financial decision, but its a shame all things are driven by money.
 

hodroyd

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I don't think they would make a smaller QP, they have to compete with such as Jaguar, BMW 7, Mercedes S, Aston and a few others, making it smaller would take away an interior space and quality advantage. New coupe looks nice!
 

Fat Arnie

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I think Caterham may have issue with the name Levante. They produced a very limited run of cars with 2.4litre 500bhp V8's giving the car 1000bhp/ton a couple of years ago. Quite quick http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVNDGx8NNP4 but cost £120k! A lot for a Caterham.


Now Caterham is owned by Tony Fernandez of Air Asia fame he does specialise in the area of rights to automotive names. Google his name and Team Lotus for more info.
 

BigFoot

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Given we have a Maserati Bora and a VW Bora, I don't think Caterham will mind too much about Levante ;)

Kidding aside, it sounds like a name for a supercar not for the Baby QP.
 

lozcb

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I think Caterham may have issue with the name Levante. They produced a very limited run of cars with 2.4litre 500bhp V8's giving the car 1000bhp/ton a couple of years ago. Quite quick http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVNDGx8NNP4 but cost £120k! A lot for a Caterham.


Now Caterham is owned by Tony Fernandez of Air Asia fame he does specialise in the area of rights to automotive names. Google his name and Team Lotus for more info.


My mate Tim Dutton from Worthing ended up getting sued by Ford because he produced a kit car called the Dutton Sierra , he had the name registered a long time before Ford but the production of both models were virtually simultaneous , they embroiled him in years of litigation , nearly broke him financially but he ended up winning the case and and substantial damages well over a Million , Manufacturers get awfully funny sometimes but there are no real winners, whats the problem with two cars of the same name when they are from different times and diffrent designs


regards loz
 

Parisien

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I remember the name/kit car, didn't know there was a legal battle...good stuff it turned out ok


P
 

lozcb

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At one time he was the biggest kit car producer in Europe , a couple of the early duttons (caterham style ) won various speed records at the Brighton speed trials etc , think he produces amphibious vehicles now and golf carts for the Japanese market

Hee crossed the channel in one once , least i think he made it to the other side


regards loz
 

hodroyd

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Glad he won his case Loz, it would make Ford think twice and any others with the same idea in the future. They would think he would just give in and let them have it, through fear of financial ruin, well done Tim.
 

lozcb

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Would have been bancruptcy for sure , there were quite a few months where we were bailing him out down the Pub/restaurants and stuff because he had to pay his installment towards his legal bill


regards loz
 

hodroyd

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Good mates are hard to come by, well done for keeping him going, he would have found your support invaluable in his time of need.
 

Maser Sod

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This new small sedan will be Maserati's answer to an affordable luxury car, supposedly starting around the $75,000 mark.

Wow, if the price is correct then I'll have one.

It would be nice finally to be able to afford a new Maserati. Even if it will surely end up being 'powered' by some asthmatic 4 pot GM engine.
 

Andyk

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Original talk was of the range starting at 55k for the small engine which would probably be the diesel.....The V8 would be more like75k/80k I would think......Bet the cheapest would be more like 65k ow though.
 

bigbob

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Maserati prices are going up. New QP will probably be £100k+, next GT same.

Therefore £75k with spec for bargain Maser?