your thoughts on the Maser SUV?

IMO Maserati should leave the SUV-segment to Lancia (who desperately need a good car!). Also I am sceptical about the new "Baby"-QP. Maserati needs an M3/Porsche Boxter/Cayman-contender, as coupe and Spyder, with a lower price than the GranTurismo but a little more expensive than the M3 and the Porsches.

If you want to keep the brand fresh and "young in heard" you need something to step into it.....

Ciao!
Walter

 

...apparently Maserati disagrees with you gentlemen.

 

Yep, they do! So lets see what happens...........

(Ah - and btw: The dealer for the new upcoming McLaren GT-sportscar here in Duesseldorf sold 50 (!!) -f-i-f-t-y- cars "blnd". They were sold out before the car comes available!)

Ciao!
Walter

 

I have no problem in Maserati making a sports SUV. I'm a life long fan and own one now. It doesn't bother me. I wouldn't buy one but then I have no use for an SUV.

But, I'd like to see a new Bora first at about half the price of a 458. Keep the costs low by using their existing 4.7 and a manual box. That would be pretty cool.

 

I think it's a good idea. FIAT has to enter that market here somehow, and shoving a Pop and restyled Grand Cherokee next to each other isn't going to work.

Maserati is starting to build a presence in the upper executive circles, and they have wives and mistresses who want SUVs

Big markup on luxury SUVs too, and Maserati has always had a luxo-cruiser of sorts in their lineup.

 

I think a Maser SUV is a great idea. Bring it on!

 

+1
Ciao,
FGM

 

Not much of an SUV guy and it turned my stomach when Porsche brought out their re-badged VW.

However, I can't dispute the results here in the USA. I hope Maserati brings out something spectacular and not a re-badged Chrysler.

 

Just the wives, Tillman - just the wives.

 

Haha, very true, very true indeed.

Maserati is missing out on too much money in this segment. Land Rover and Porsche can be outclassed with the right combination of style, power and performance.

If it's beautiful it will be a homerun.

 

Well,
then -unfortunately!- we`ll get another of those Chelsea trucks......

Ciao!
Walter

 

The first time they floated this idea with the Kubang concept (horrible name) it dies on the vine and now that design belongs to Porsche. Look at the new Cayenne and then look at the Kubang. Kapow!

Ironic.

 

+1

 

I think Audi already does this and with a ton of technology on it. I think either the performance has to be outrageous (never happen) or it has to be beautiful will all the goodies on it. Neither one will come in under the price of a 458.

 

See, I don't think the performance has to match the 458 for it to be successful. That's the difference.

And, I do agree that the Audi is there but IMO it doesn't have the name or is special enough. It's just another 911. A Maserati would be something different and hopefully, much better looking.

But, I don't run Maserati unfortunately. If I did, their sales would be triple.

 

I can't say that I ever "got" the luxury SUV / CUV market. I have owned four SUV's but have always been more interested in the "utility" aspect of these vehicles. Unquestionably, Porsche has been successful with their Cayenne so perhaps Maserati could compete with something like the Maserati Kubang from 2003 http://www.maserati-alfieri.co.uk/alfieri96.htm. Here in Vancouver, there are many QP's and Maserati is associated with large luxurious four door sedans such that for most people, when they see a Maserati other than a QP, their reaction is "I didn't know Maserati made sports cars." I don't think an SUV would (further) dilute the Maserati brand as a GT / sports car.
Jon

 

+++1! Thats what I said!

Yep, I was veeeeery happy with the Cayenne as I had a lot of Porsche-stocks since 10 years and fortunately sold them on their peak prior to the start of the economical desaster VW is now sorting out after they got the marque!

Ciao!
Walter

 

I'm on your side in wanting "something" else but who's the target market for such a car.
Will the Maserati name mean that much more to them than Audi or does technology triumph over history/tradition?

I don't know, there are so many cars on the market that go incredibly fast for a whole lot less than a 458.

Perhaps the light, nimble, gorgeous, not gadget filled and very quick is an opportunity.
I bet the magazines would love it and you and I might too but is that enough?

 

Nobody needs a Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche....or Maserati!

But thats not the point here!
We are talking about marketing- and product positioning of images.

Maserati would be very well advised to see what Aston Martin is doing!

AM has:

1. a clear marketing strategy.
2. a very well positioned range of products
3. a clear standpoint or competition.
4. a clear back-up and usage of the AM-heritage
5. a very good quality controlling

and finally

6. a person who 100% represents Aston Martin, pushing it forward with ideas without compromises!
Herr Beetz doesn`t see a SUV as a useful product for the brand - and he knows why.

Also AM has a much better way to treat customers.

Maserati unfortunately is only a sub-brand to FIAT/Ferrari. And in that combination we have all reasons for the negative aspects the marque has to face currently.

What does Maserati need:

1. a high-end coupe (also as Spyder). Its the current GrandTurismo/GranCabrio.
2. a 4-door-sedan with V8- and V12-engine.
3. an entry-car a little north of the M3- and Cayenne-price tag, with a small V8 as coupe and/or Spyder - for the "mass market".

When Ferrari doesn`t want any technical components from a Maserati because "...its not Ferrari" why should Maserati use something from a cheap US-manufacturer like Chrysler??
Also a Maserati SUV would sell in much lower figurers than the announced Chrysler-SUV which is clearly for a mass-market.

And to compare Porsche with Maserati is ridiculous as the Stuttgart manufacturer produces about 100,000 cars per year!

Maserati is too small for a 4th model range - so no SUV and "Baby QP" please!

....but the new Maserati sneakers are really cool ..:)

Ciao!
Walter

 

Walters comparison with Aston Martin is IMHO spot on. Maserati should always be a brand with grace and class. I don´t think neither of those qualities would be expressed in any way with a SUV. Then again, if the current owners view is just a short term exploitation of the brand in any way they can, then a SUV will fit in just fine...

 

Aston has produced "Shooting Brake" models ...

 

Which are quite nice, and IMO fit with the grace and class definition, that I mentioned about. But then again, I love the Shamals, and some Karifs, so what do I know...

A shooting brake Gran Turismo?.. Oh, wait they have already made one, but they call it Ferrari FF!