IMO no plans or decisions yet. If anything though I don't believe it will really be a 911 rival as they can't have a 2+2 using the Alfa 4C tub. If anything it will be more of a Jaguar F type rival IMO
To get a V8 into the Alfa-Chassis will be difficult. And to convert the frame to make it fit is probably too expensive. Also there were other media-"statement" that the 4C-chassis will not be used for such a car by Maserati. But really annoying is this: "....under no circumstances will the car be priced or engineered to rival Maranello’s own mid-engined V8...."! The Italians will never learn.......
Don't they already have enough of a task on their plate? Think about what they are trying to do now. Pretty formidable.
Let me just say that IF they build a new reincarnation of the Bora with a mid-engined V8....I will be at the dealer with my checkbook in hand!
Maserati may be able to fit a V-6 into the 4C, but that would probably be the limit without extensive reworking. Also, production of 4C's is limited to 2,500 per year due to the physical capacity of the various suppliers. Adding a Maserati variat would probably mean a corresponding reduction in Alfa production for that year. Maybe they have something planned using a shortened platform of the Ghibli? It may not be mid-engine but it might be interresting. Cheers everyone, Jeff Dallas, Texas
3,500 per year at the moment based on the production capabilities of Adler for the carbon tub. They would have to invest more money to be able to build more tubs and both Adler and Alfa would have no problem in doing that. Alfa invested approximately EUR 100M to make this car... They could very easily put another engine on the tub by making the rear subframe bigger. Obviously it would mean the whole car would be longer but that's not an issue for a Maserati.
The Bora wasn't a 2+2 but the Merak was. If you're thinking same sort of mid engine car as the Bora was then that Alfa platform is all wrong. But they could do something different that's lighter and sportier. That sounds good. A V6 with close to 500HP is fine with me. But Ferrari would squeal like hell. Never going to happen unless it's a lot more expensive than the Ferrari.
Ferrari seemed to stop caring about competing with the 911 when the 430 came out. Luca sees a clear gap in the market where they can be and they are chosing to probably never make another 'junior' supercar again, enter Maserati and probably the rebirth of a merak methodology. Maser has an opportunity to make something great, if they are allowed to. At this time I'm expecting a $100k or below mid engined sports car with not more than 400-450bhp. I'm all for this because I simply cannot stand the current ferrari lineup which seems to be against making small light cars now.
The idea to use the 458 Italia as a base for a Maserati sounds best in this case. Just wishful thinking of course...
Maserati plans to take on the 5 series BMW, Porsche 911, why not also try to compete with the Ford F150 pickup, Honda accord and toyota camry? It's like really?
Because this is the easy way to make more money quickly, in the short term. If they went the hard way, which would secure money for the long term, they would have used Alfa Romeo to release the new mini-QP (new Ghibli). They would have given life to the two dead brands (Alfa and Lancia). Instead, they decided to use the exotic Maserati brand, to bring it down to the lower level of Porsche and to compete there (SUV, E-segment, maybe a 911 competitor etc). Lets see how this plays out...
Thanks for the correction deppiO regarding production capacity. Sounds like they could put together a Maserati version if needed. There was talk of a possible Abarth version also, but Alfa seems to have gone with the lightest weight possible. There is not too much more that could be taken out for an Abarth. Cheers, Jeff Dallas, Texas
Don't laugh. The new Ghibli is the best performing, best sounding, best looking and has the best interior in it's class.
Agreed!!! Ferrari made beautiiful sleek cars. The 308 comes to mind. Now along with Maserati, land yachts seem to be the order of the day. The Italia along with the California are really big and tall cars. IMHO the Gran Turismo, WoW, could they have made it any bigger? John, I do hope you are correct. Ciao, George
But it's about what sells not what oddballs like us want? Sometimes that's one in the same. They make nice cars now just not anything I can't live without.
Hi Bob, Just like Enzo said, "The customer is not always right." or some reasonable facsimile thereof. Steve Jobs also had something similar to say. Well, be that as it may. I had an opportunity to see an Aventador next to a California. I think two Aventadors stacked would have been bested in height by the California. Just Sayin! Ciao, George
