Andyk
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PH not a fan of the Kubang either
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GransportFan1
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It really is a horrid looking thing.
markp4200
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This is not the Maserati that I love.
For me the marque has had somewhat mixed and mysterious connotations - a racing heritage matched only by the likes of Ferrari and Alfa; through the Biturbo years an onwards. Maybe suspect reliability but always a superb image.
Maserati ...wow! That has been the reaction until now.
From here on in, Kubang begins the rot.
Next up a small coupe to rival the Boxter; bland and generic.
Then we'll have an XK-rival smaller 4 door - bland and generic.
Small crossover, big crossover and what about an estate; have to have one of those!
No, the magic land of Maserati will change though, thankfully, I will still enjoy my car, safe in the knowledge that it was built before the rot set in! Thank you Maserati for the best looking car in the world, for a car which never tried to be like any other, a car which has it's own individuality and succeeded quite admirably.
I waited all my life for mine and rejoice that I have it.
For me the marque has had somewhat mixed and mysterious connotations - a racing heritage matched only by the likes of Ferrari and Alfa; through the Biturbo years an onwards. Maybe suspect reliability but always a superb image.
Maserati ...wow! That has been the reaction until now.
From here on in, Kubang begins the rot.
Next up a small coupe to rival the Boxter; bland and generic.
Then we'll have an XK-rival smaller 4 door - bland and generic.
Small crossover, big crossover and what about an estate; have to have one of those!
No, the magic land of Maserati will change though, thankfully, I will still enjoy my car, safe in the knowledge that it was built before the rot set in! Thank you Maserati for the best looking car in the world, for a car which never tried to be like any other, a car which has it's own individuality and succeeded quite admirably.
I waited all my life for mine and rejoice that I have it.
marcos
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I'm sure Dem is right. Just like the Cayenne for Porsche, which vastly outsells everything else they make. USA and Asian markets demand a big, heavy, safe vee-hicle with a prestigious badge for when a sporty car isnt appropriate due to bad roads or moving brats about. However, the upside to keeping Porsche profitable is they also get to keep making great sports cars so hopefully the same will apply to Maserati.
Assuming the Kubang is any good of course, that's the thing about the Cayenne; it's incredible! Hideous and an insult to the Stuttgart shield, but incredible all the same!
Andyk
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Lewis agree on the Cayenne..When I drove my friends I couldn't believe how good it was...It drove like...Well a Porsche....A car as big and heavy should not perform the way it does...Not for me but can see why certain markets like it...
Well if the Kubang does sell well in USA and Asia then at least we will not see many and as above it will keep the money coming in at Maserati as it has for Porsche...
Well if the Kubang does sell well in USA and Asia then at least we will not see many and as above it will keep the money coming in at Maserati as it has for Porsche...
markp4200
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Andy and Marcos, you are right, absolutely and utterly right about Porsche, and soon we'll say the same thing about Bentley.
They are great cars; engineered to within a whisker of excellence ....but, and this is a big but, the soul of the marque has been lost, watered-down, diluted or whatever else happens.
Owning a 911 means you have to own up to sharing a bed with footballers, their wives and other ...what shall we say....people swanning around in big bling SUVs?
Chasing the bucks leads to this rat race of copy-cat blandness. These marques are losing their cachet, gradually it is true but they won't be seen in the same way for ever.
Today I received my e-mailing from Maserati with their promo video showcasing the Kubang.
Slick, beautifully put-together it is too. About a minute into it we are reminded of the racing heritage with some beautiful monochrome images from the heady days of early Maserati racing successes.
It's that for which our marque can owe it's delightful image.
I don't believe it will retain that image as the chase for sales across other markets unfolds.
There are to be too many brands chasing the same customers and the name, Maserati, is not associated with such a strategy.
I still maintain it should remain with what it does best.
Beautiful cars built for motoring in the grand manner and which say 'racing' and 'sport' in the most understated way possible.
Cars for the discerning.
Time for my cocoa - night night!
They are great cars; engineered to within a whisker of excellence ....but, and this is a big but, the soul of the marque has been lost, watered-down, diluted or whatever else happens.
Owning a 911 means you have to own up to sharing a bed with footballers, their wives and other ...what shall we say....people swanning around in big bling SUVs?
Chasing the bucks leads to this rat race of copy-cat blandness. These marques are losing their cachet, gradually it is true but they won't be seen in the same way for ever.
Today I received my e-mailing from Maserati with their promo video showcasing the Kubang.
Slick, beautifully put-together it is too. About a minute into it we are reminded of the racing heritage with some beautiful monochrome images from the heady days of early Maserati racing successes.
It's that for which our marque can owe it's delightful image.
I don't believe it will retain that image as the chase for sales across other markets unfolds.
There are to be too many brands chasing the same customers and the name, Maserati, is not associated with such a strategy.
I still maintain it should remain with what it does best.
Beautiful cars built for motoring in the grand manner and which say 'racing' and 'sport' in the most understated way possible.
Cars for the discerning.
Time for my cocoa - night night!
marcos
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But that makes profitability nigh-on impossible sadly.
Really it is only Ferrari and Aston that have held firm, both supported by large parent companies, but there was a Lagonda SUV and of course the Cygnet city car so Aston are on the way... Is the FF, the first Ferrari with 4WD and real practicality the predecessor to an SUV type car? Lambo made the LM002 and will surely make another based on the Audi Q-platform. Lotus have made losses for years, Morgan are just downright weird and have their own niche with Pagani or McLaren.
Sadly being 'Maserati' is no longer an option for Maserati if they want to stay in existance. I dont think Porsche lost their kudos after building the Cayenne - it allowed the Boxster Spyder and ever-faster GT3s to be built and for that I am glad.
The boxster in 1996 saved porsche.....
When the cayenne came out it was instant success, mums in uk where buying them for school runs and men were buying the turbos for fun....
A maserati pulling that off?? It can.....
When its priced cheaper than them and if prettier then we sadly will see loads on the roads....4x4 market is full of ugly cars, apart from the evoque....
Alls needed is a pretty car and believe me cheshire and london for sure will be full of them....
When the cayenne came out it was instant success, mums in uk where buying them for school runs and men were buying the turbos for fun....
A maserati pulling that off?? It can.....
When its priced cheaper than them and if prettier then we sadly will see loads on the roads....4x4 market is full of ugly cars, apart from the evoque....
Alls needed is a pretty car and believe me cheshire and london for sure will be full of them....
Andyk
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Not sure youc an say if you drive a Porsche it's sharinig i with a footballer etc as you can say the same about Aston, Bentley, Ferrari and even Maserati these days.............I really don't care who drives the cars...If I like it and it fills me with joy behind the wheel I would buy and enjoy............
I wish Maserati was not building the Kubang as it's a step to far for me but I can see why they want a piece of the action....But for for I think they are too late.......The big 4X4 market is not a big as it was a number of years ago...............Well not here anyway.....BUt then again I don't think its aimed at our market its more about USA and Asia as mentioned above.......................
I wish Maserati was not building the Kubang as it's a step to far for me but I can see why they want a piece of the action....But for for I think they are too late.......The big 4X4 market is not a big as it was a number of years ago...............Well not here anyway.....BUt then again I don't think its aimed at our market its more about USA and Asia as mentioned above.......................
GransportFan1
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Not sure about the Evoque being a good looking car Dem , seen a few now and i think they are terrible, to chintzy and in your face.
ZAM400209
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My 2p's worth:
I think markp4200 hit it on the head;
The thing about Maserati (certainly the thing that attracted me) was that the cars are totally different and rare. The Kubang harks to a rather more mainstream audience in the way that the company never has before which is strange. But if it's absolutely necessary to sustain to longevity of the brand........
I'm sure those of you with memories longer than 3 years will be aware that we've been through this before; albeit only with pictures and names (Kubang was one of them) only this time a full size version exists- and at a motorshow.
However, on reading the latest salvo of material which the factory has sent me through e-mail (as I'm sure you all have) I saw the word "concept".
Is this really going ahead?
Alfa have had to knock back models for the time being due to the climate and nobody was going to be paying £150K for them...
JimP
I think markp4200 hit it on the head;
The thing about Maserati (certainly the thing that attracted me) was that the cars are totally different and rare. The Kubang harks to a rather more mainstream audience in the way that the company never has before which is strange. But if it's absolutely necessary to sustain to longevity of the brand........
I'm sure those of you with memories longer than 3 years will be aware that we've been through this before; albeit only with pictures and names (Kubang was one of them) only this time a full size version exists- and at a motorshow.
However, on reading the latest salvo of material which the factory has sent me through e-mail (as I'm sure you all have) I saw the word "concept".
Is this really going ahead?
Alfa have had to knock back models for the time being due to the climate and nobody was going to be paying £150K for them...
JimP
markp4200
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Perceptions of motor cars are based, to some extent, on our ages.
My own intuitive thought of Porsche is of a single-minded brand, centred on sports-car building.
The term 'evolution' is one which has been applied to Porsche by many a motoring correspondent and for years it had been so.
I consider that the 'money men' at the company saw only a profit return and moved from the purity of the brand.
Yes, you are right, it happens to Aston Martin and Bentley too.
It is important to put these feelings into a persective in which some of us saw cars being developed with individuality and often with little profit involved. I can accept how younger people will feel, the bottom line clearly is money and as such, cars do not now enjoy the same unique attributes they enjoyed in the past.*
What I can relate to is the way in which cars are now made - technically excelling in every area and this applies across the board and no longer applying solely to luxury cars. If this defines the beauty of the beast then so be it but I don't think one feels that watching the classic at Goodwood or Villa d'Este.
What I am trying to say is that in the quest for technical dominance, a complete range of cars; many manufacturers have sold their soul.
*I've said this before but I like cars which are flawed. It is what makes them alive. It is what engages me with them. Nurturing, coaxing and wheedling the best from them in everyday use.
My own intuitive thought of Porsche is of a single-minded brand, centred on sports-car building.
The term 'evolution' is one which has been applied to Porsche by many a motoring correspondent and for years it had been so.
I consider that the 'money men' at the company saw only a profit return and moved from the purity of the brand.
Yes, you are right, it happens to Aston Martin and Bentley too.
It is important to put these feelings into a persective in which some of us saw cars being developed with individuality and often with little profit involved. I can accept how younger people will feel, the bottom line clearly is money and as such, cars do not now enjoy the same unique attributes they enjoyed in the past.*
What I can relate to is the way in which cars are now made - technically excelling in every area and this applies across the board and no longer applying solely to luxury cars. If this defines the beauty of the beast then so be it but I don't think one feels that watching the classic at Goodwood or Villa d'Este.
What I am trying to say is that in the quest for technical dominance, a complete range of cars; many manufacturers have sold their soul.
*I've said this before but I like cars which are flawed. It is what makes them alive. It is what engages me with them. Nurturing, coaxing and wheedling the best from them in everyday use.
Andyk
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I think it is a good looking car myself..The Evoque that is..Saw one on the road yesterday and thought it look good..They will sell a boat load of them...