[PPMaserati]

Based on the article in the February 2006 issue of C&D which appears to be an interview with Kalbfell and the interview with Marchionne early in December, Maserati's future is taking shape.

A new Coupe will be based on the current QP platform with a more powerful V8 currently used in the QP. Marchionne mentioned this in an interview early in December and Kalbfell confirms this by stating that Maserati will not abandon its 4.2 Liter V8. The article mentions that the next generation V8 Coupe will be "in the vein of the Bentley Continental GT". FYI...this car is going to be a home run for Maserati based on style and performance.

The current Coupe/Spyder will be replaced by a smaller rear-wheel drive version that will use a 6 cylinder version to compete with the Porsche 911 which also uses a 6. The article states that the new Coupe/Spyder replacement will use a "version" of the 3.2 liter V6 from Alfa. You can bet that Maserati will do some serious modification to that engine if they use it.

Then, there is the possibility of a "cross-over" type SUV. Who knows what that will be, but it is a growing automotive segment that deserves to be looked at for a manufacturer that is in a "growth" mode. With a version of the QP's V8 and some aggressive styling, it could be very interesting.

From what I understand, the near future Maserati line-up looks like this: a F1 transmission Quattroporte, an automatic gearbox Quattroporte, V8 Coupe based on QP platform, new Coupe/Spyder in the $75K range to compete against the 911, and a possible sporty/aggressive "cross-over" SUV type vehicle.

Financially, Maserati is expected to break even in 2006. Maserati produced 5600 cars a year in 2005, up from 523 in 1993 which is the year that Fiat acquired Maserati. Moving Maserati out from under Ferrari and in alignment with Alfa Romeo is more of an accounting move. Fiat owns 60% of Ferrari. Having been to the factory and heard Kalbfell speak about the brand, and looking at his resume (BMW M-Series, Mini Cooper, Rolls-Royce Phantom), Maserati may actually be on the right track!!

 

[M!]

Based on the article in the February 2006 issue of C&D... the next generation V8 Coupe will be "in the vein of the Bentley Continental GT".

is that supposed to be good or bad???
i personally don't like the glorified phaeton's styling and persona.

there was a discussion on ferrarichat over this topic (maserati's future).

for me, first thing they should do is to support the current owners.
1) an excellent extended warranty for the coupe/spyder/GS/QP (to ensure repeated customers satisfaction and to support the resale value).
2) improvements in customers relations (issues, etc)
3) circuit sessions, etc.

 

[Steeldream]

Sounds to me that the "new coupe" is actually a new Quattroporte with the 4.2 Ferrari sourced V-8 and the "new coupe/spyder" will get the Alfa V-6 (and probably the 156 platform).

Seems like a downmarket move in the "sports car" segment out of Ferrari's space and into Porsche's and BMW's.

Still as I've said elsewhere I'm not sad to be contemplating owning a Maserati sports car with a V-8.

I agree on the need for a decent extended warranty. Expiration is staring me in the face right now.

 

[Andrew]

I am looking forward to Maserati's future. I think the brand is making a come back slowly but surely. After the beating it took in the 80s it is amazing that it is still alive.

 

[johnei]

I think the idea of the Bentley coupe competitor sounds like a good idea. Although I wonder how much of that cars success is due to some of its features like the awd, massive torque from the turbos and interior room from the engine placement?
I think they should offer an automatic for this car like the one the Qporte is getting.
Maybe they'll call it the Mexico?

 

[Steeldream]

Alfa to Build 8C with Maserati Engine

Alfa 8C back on! from EVO magazine

The V8-powered, carbonfibre-bodied Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, introduced in concept form at the 2003 Frankfurt show, might now enter production after all.

'It is my dream to do it,' says Alfa's recently arrived CEO, Antonio Baravalle. 'We have cut the budget for our advertising campaign and will do the 8C instead, because it is a perfect way to promote the Alfa brand. Sergio Marchionne [president of Fiat Auto] says if the figures add up, do it.'

The plan is to have a production-standard 8C ready for the Paris motor show at the end of September, and then to take orders for a 500-car run.

Final details of the construction are still to be worked out, but it will most likely be a carbonfibre body over a spaceframe chassis, like the concept. The front-mounted engine will be based on the block used by the current Ferrari and Maserati V8s, and the end result will be 'more like Ferrari than Maserati' according to Baravalle. That means a flat-plane crankshaft and an engine that screams instead of throbs. Target power is 440bhp.

A replacement for the Alfa 166 is also under consideration as a joint venture with Alfa affiliate Maserati. It will have a V6 engine, mounted longitudinally to give rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. JS

 

[birdness]

Isn't the Maserati spyder with the retractable hard-top being introduced at the Paris autoshow in the fall? That's what it says at Italiaspeed. Apparently, it was almost ready for production when Maserati was split from Ferrari. anybody have any info?

thanks

PS I have an Aston V8 Vantage on order for summer 2007 and I was hoping to get a look at the new spyder before I put the final order in. It's going to have to be one hell of a machine to get me to change my mind.

 

[Steeldream]

It was supposed to be, but no one knows what the hell's happening with new models since Maserati was put with Alfa.

 

[Steeldream]

More on Alfa/Maserati 8C

The production Alfa Romeo 8C will be even more remarkable than the concept, which resulted in over 3,000 potential buyers coming forward upon its Frankfurt launch in 2003. Using the concept?s gorgeous carbon-fibre bodywork, the production 8C will introduce a new 4.7-litre engine developed by Ferrari and Maserati.

The old 400 bhp 4.2 unit, used on the concept with volumetric supercharger to produce 450 bhp, will instead be replaced by the brand new 4.7-litre unit which will power the new Maserati folding hardtop and the Quattroporte update. Not only will this new engine offer more power, but it will be more reliable, cheaper to maintain and will also cost less to build. The sound will therefore also be different to that of the concept car: the new engine tuned specifically for the 8C will be more high-pitched and Ferrari-like than the subdued Maserati burble.

From www.italiaspeed.com

 

[M!]

i still feel that the 8C (500 units) is hinting that there will be a shared platform with Maserati and may be even Ferrari.

imagine a shared platform:
Alfa Romeo 8C - 450hp 4.7L V8 ?, 500 cars limited production.
Maserati Coupe/Spyder - 480hp tuned 4.7L V8 ?, 3000 cars annual production.
Ferrari Dino / Maserati GS - 500hp tuned 4.7L V8 ?, 2000 cars annual production.

sorry i don't even know if they are the right chassis. but it would make sense, right? you would still buy one?
sorry, i m just dreaming.

 

[Steeldream]

I'd be tempted by the 8C. It's a great looking car, but with limited production likelhy to be priced between the Maserati and Ferrari - so I'm not sure the Maser would get the higer tuned engine...

We can dream.

 

[Steeldream]

and a little more

The 8C Spyder was shown at Villa D'Este Concours

Apparently Alfa's only going to be making 500 versions of the Coupe. The Spyder will not be produced - the coupe is being homologated for the FIA GT series, and will have the 4.7 L Maserati engine (as will the QP and new Spyder).