Why can't Maserati do something like this?

[daverichardson]

True about the heritage, but I think most people when they see (or hear) a Maserati realise it is something special and different, but maybe not why.

 

[safrane]

I was chatting to a director at the car rental co I use (long story why, but lots of humble pie coming my way)
One of the things I was offered was free rental cars...stated I only use them for work so thats no compensation for me, and I have a lovely car for myself at the weekends (the GS). He told me that they had just bought a fleet of QPs direct from Maserati UK and got them for far less than 7 series...in fact he could not believe how keen they were to off load them...still declined having one for my holidays and said I would prefer the Lambos they rent...still waiting for an answer on that one.

 

[Bianco]

As a nation, we are obsessed with diesel powered cars. Perceived fuel economy (only makes sense if you do more than 15,000 miles) and cheaper servicing etc. I think the switch over to diesel over petrol came out of the climate change drive and the target to lower carbon emissions.

They need a petrol Levante to compete with the RR Sport, Macan, SQ5 etc.

All three of those cars come in Diesel and the SQ5 is diesel only. I emailed Maserati and got this in response:

Dear Mr Bianco,

Thank you for your Email earlier today and for your interest in the forthcoming Maserati Levante.

Whilst final specification for the UK market is still to be finalised it is true to say that the only variant in the UK at launch will be the diesel 275 HP.

As the overall segment market share (2015 YTD) is less than 4% for petrol SUV variants, Maserati has taken the decision not to build the vehicle in right hand drive. Whether this changes through the model lifespan and with customer feedback this is yet to be determined but for the time being the Levante will only be available with a diesel engine in the UK.

In the meantime, may we thank you for taking the time to contact Maserati and do hope you are otherwise enjoying ownership with your Ghibli.

With kind regards

Paul Green
Aftersales – Customer Support Manager
Maserati North Europe

275 Leigh Road
Slough, Berkshire, SL1 4HF
Phone: +44 (0) 1753 878 732
Fax : +44 (0) 1753 878 770
paul.green@maserati.com
www.maserati.com

So everybody needs to be emailing them and asking for Petrol.

 

[redsonnylee]

Diesel only for UK market

US and ROW Petrol V6 and V8 (ultimately)

That's me out then, I was saving up for a petrol version.

 

[bigbob]

I've had a 3200 then a 4200 and now a GranTurismo. There may not be a fourth...

I'm just getting sick of how Maserati treats the UK. I really wanted a Ghibli 4WD petrol but they can't be bothered. They then announce a petrol SUV so great it's 4WD but..wait there...they can't be bothered to make that in RHD either. I'll keep my GranTurismo but they can shove everything else where the sun don't shine.

They may pick up acceptable contract hire business on diesel cars from people who have no brand loyalty but the enthusiasts - who by and large want petrol - are being neglected.

I went in the Jaguar showroom yesterday when I was in Aberdeen, seriously nice range of cars with sensible prices in comparison with Maserati.

 

[outrun]

And Jaguar offer the F-Pace with a 3.0s 380 supercharged v6. And Porsche offer the Cayenne with various 4.8 petrols including turbo and gts hot version, and the Macan with various petrol including an efficient 2.0 right up to a nutter turbo. And Audi offer the q5 with similar. And Lexus offer petrol in a sea of hybrids. And Land Rover will happily sell you a supercharged petrol. Even Nissan will flog you a Nismo petrol.

They have no idea about why the minority that select these from an enthusiasts point of view drive the majority into their diesels. They also appear to not understand the basic maths that renders many diesels pointless unless over 15k or more miles are travelled per annum.

They should be campaigning for this instead they are concerned about today only. If they don't get today right, they will have some mountain to climb tomorrow.

 

[bigbob]

...and they seem to think that Alfa has more brand value than Maserati. I don't like criticising any organisation but I genuinely don't think they are getting this right. All very confused, late and inconsistent.

 

[VMSRTI]

Funny the perception of the marque...Was talking to the security guard on work today...Had just got back from driving the BMW I8 and he asked me how it was. He said he would have an R8...I then said my passion is Maserati and he said why do you like them....He didn't get it...He said the GT looked and sounded nice but the rest of the range was just to compete with BMW....Oh dear....He did not perceive them as being special like a Ferrari or Aston Martin...

Here on the forum with live on the heritage and passion of the marque but most of the public don't even know about the heritage these days...........

Not sure that people in OZ would view Maserati as just a BMW competitor.

They may not know the heritage or view them in the same light as a Ferrari or lambo but they know they are special and rare.

 

[alfatwo]

That's interesting George...just how do the general public over in Aus and New Zealand perceive Masers in general..

Over here owning a Ferrari is generally sorta frowned upon, look at that tw@t etc., Lambo's are sort of ok..

Where's with Maser's.. Its like driving the Holy Grail!


Dave

 

[Andyk]

True about the heritage, but I think most people when they see (or hear) a Maserati realise it is something special and different, but maybe not why.

I thin they do when they see the GT as it looks exotic....

 

[daverichardson]

That's interesting George...just how do the general public over in Aus and New Zealand perceive Masers in general..

Over here owning a Ferrari is generally sorta frowned upon, look at that tw@t etc., Lambo's are sort of ok..

Where's with Maser's.. Its like driving the Holy Grail!


Dave

Totally agree with this perception

 

[VMSRTI]

That's interesting George...just how do the general public over in Aus and New Zealand perceive Masers in general..

Over here owning a Ferrari is generally sorta frowned upon, look at that tw@t etc., Lambo's are sort of ok..

Where's with Maser's.. Its like driving the Holy Grail!


Dave

Pretty much exactly the same here Dave.

I was just saying that they are regarded in higher esteem than a BMW (unlike Andy's security guard) but not driven by "tw@ts" or w@nkers .
I think people regard them as not as expensive as Ferrari's or Lambo's, but in a lot of ways much cooler.


This is just my perception of the general public's perception.

 

[alfatwo]

Pretty much exactly the same here Dave.

I was just saying that they are regarded in higher esteem than a BMW (unlike Andy's security guard) but not driven by "tw@ts" or w@nkers .
I think people regard them as not as expensive as Ferrari's or Lambo's, but in a lot of ways much cooler.


This is just my perception of the general public's perception.

How's the F1 going over there at the moment mate?.... most of us over here are on the highlights show on Channel 4 as the BBC screwed us up!

Dave