RE: Maserati's New Saloons To Address Size Problem
Discussion
On the subject of the Diesel engine, don't forget Alfa Romeo and their JTDM units.
Whilst we can argue they lack the snarl and thunder of the 3.2 v6 or even the 2.0TS, they made a batch of superb 1.9 diesels, and even if it is herecy, we all know that they are the best engines to be had in the 159 or Brera.
Maserati need a Diesel, the smaller of the two cars, if positioned at the 45k mark, will go up against the top of the range 5 series, A6 and E class and they all have big torquey 3.5ltr oil burners in some form or another. I think this is a good move for Maser. Yes, it may lose a little of its heritage, but is there anything worng with them doubling sales? I know I would like to live in a world where exec saloons aren't all German.
The American Petrol engine would surely be revamped to provide that Maser grunt and noise, and the larger car would retain a stonking big Ferrari heart. All in all I see no drawbacks.
If the manager next to me pulls up in a new Maser, I don't care what engine it is, it'll look AMAZING, and if he pulls away and it doesn't sound like God clapping his hands, it will only detract in a small way. There will be plenty of big ones on the road with petrol units to please us.
In 3 years time I will be looking for a big, roomy saloon with diesel grunt, reasonable mpg, a luxurious interior and looks that could stop a man dead. If there is a Maser that can do this, they will have my money.
It may be a "lower" level car, but universally the Alfa 159 is known as a looker and it is best served as a diesel. The idea that in three years we will see the Giulia, the 4c, a couple of new Maseratis and the superb mito/giuletta combo on the road fills me with joy. Regardless of the engine, anything that eats sales of the awful Audi "all our cars look the same" is a good thing.
Whilst we can argue they lack the snarl and thunder of the 3.2 v6 or even the 2.0TS, they made a batch of superb 1.9 diesels, and even if it is herecy, we all know that they are the best engines to be had in the 159 or Brera.
Maserati need a Diesel, the smaller of the two cars, if positioned at the 45k mark, will go up against the top of the range 5 series, A6 and E class and they all have big torquey 3.5ltr oil burners in some form or another. I think this is a good move for Maser. Yes, it may lose a little of its heritage, but is there anything worng with them doubling sales? I know I would like to live in a world where exec saloons aren't all German.
The American Petrol engine would surely be revamped to provide that Maser grunt and noise, and the larger car would retain a stonking big Ferrari heart. All in all I see no drawbacks.
If the manager next to me pulls up in a new Maser, I don't care what engine it is, it'll look AMAZING, and if he pulls away and it doesn't sound like God clapping his hands, it will only detract in a small way. There will be plenty of big ones on the road with petrol units to please us.
In 3 years time I will be looking for a big, roomy saloon with diesel grunt, reasonable mpg, a luxurious interior and looks that could stop a man dead. If there is a Maser that can do this, they will have my money.
It may be a "lower" level car, but universally the Alfa 159 is known as a looker and it is best served as a diesel. The idea that in three years we will see the Giulia, the 4c, a couple of new Maseratis and the superb mito/giuletta combo on the road fills me with joy. Regardless of the engine, anything that eats sales of the awful Audi "all our cars look the same" is a good thing.
The Pentastar V6 is also due to appear in the future Alfa Giulia and 4x4 and will also feature in the new Lancia Thesis. I'm sure it will be reworked for the Maserati sound, not difficult these days as it seems that engineers can make anything sound good if they want to. This is the only V6 available in the Fiat group so is the only choice. The VM diesel has had good reviews, VM are an Italian based company owned by Detroit Diesels, so there is an Italian connection here.
Maserati need to downsize to succeed and I agree that there is more sense moving Maserati to a lower level than moving Alfa further up. It's not as if they are doing a Cygnet a Cayenne Diesel or a Jag X-Type is it?
I'm running a 6 year old QP at the moment, I'm in the trade and bought it for a trip to Italy, yes it is superb but it came with over £30K of bills, does 20 mpg at 70mph and feels huge. I did the same trip last year in a 535d M Sport - 35mpg, smaller car but better packaged, same real world performance and not as characterless as I was expecting. If I could have the running cost/performance combo of the BMW with the looks, interior style and exclusivity of the Maser then I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one signing on the dotted line.
Maserati need to downsize to succeed and I agree that there is more sense moving Maserati to a lower level than moving Alfa further up. It's not as if they are doing a Cygnet a Cayenne Diesel or a Jag X-Type is it?
I'm running a 6 year old QP at the moment, I'm in the trade and bought it for a trip to Italy, yes it is superb but it came with over £30K of bills, does 20 mpg at 70mph and feels huge. I did the same trip last year in a 535d M Sport - 35mpg, smaller car but better packaged, same real world performance and not as characterless as I was expecting. If I could have the running cost/performance combo of the BMW with the looks, interior style and exclusivity of the Maser then I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one signing on the dotted line.
On the topic of my original post, what speaks volumes is the fact that presumably most on here have assumed (as I did) that it would be some miserable, old fashioned boat anchor like the Tritec used in the BMW Mini, when in fact it is a brand new DOHC, aluminium block engine with Direct Injection planned for a future variant.
why do you have to have the limo to have the V8 model.
How is the smaller saloon going to compete with the 5 series when its packing a Chrysler V6 ? what about the turbocharged 535i and v8 540 and the twin turbo V8 M5 ? At this rate Maserati won't have an answer for any of those, and is going to be going after the mass market 520 and 525 etc.. whats the point given Maserati's price tag ?
How is the smaller saloon going to compete with the 5 series when its packing a Chrysler V6 ? what about the turbocharged 535i and v8 540 and the twin turbo V8 M5 ? At this rate Maserati won't have an answer for any of those, and is going to be going after the mass market 520 and 525 etc.. whats the point given Maserati's price tag ?
justin-banks said:
I drive a modern QP and these new models make sense to me, it really depends on how drop dead gorgeous they are. I am OK with the idea of a Diesel Maser, I had a 2004 740d BMW before so am cool with diesels. Cant wait to see them, for me it is all about the beauty.
Agreedgoron59 said:
I need to meet more Maserati drivers. I have a neighbour with a GTS and I thought it was a lovely motor until I met him and he's an utter t
t.
There's another chap near me with a Ferrari California (which I didn't like) but he's a really nice chap, so I like the California now.
Not sure how relevant this is to the topic, but I thought I'd share
People who drive large SUVs generally fall into the former category. Oh I do love automotive stereotypes!t.There's another chap near me with a Ferrari California (which I didn't like) but he's a really nice chap, so I like the California now.
Not sure how relevant this is to the topic, but I thought I'd share
Ugh the thing that make Maserati's so attractive in my eyes is their very italness if I can call it that. Currently the models thay have are stunning one of my coworkers had a QP and I admired it daily more so than the Gallardo in the parking lot. he new coupe is a stunner and in mind mind these cars really are thinly veiled Ferrari's but so much less tacky and pretentious. I understand the need to make cars economically viable but lets face it Maserati will never be a mass car producer like BMW and that's a good thing. Also remember the underpinning of the 300c are based upon mercedes sedans. Not a bad thing but if I am going that route I might as well get a AMG. The Chrysler engine is very reliable but boring in the US it serves as a workhorse for police cars, taxi's and rental fleets and its hardly deserving of a Maserati badge. Should they go forward rather they will greatly dilute the prestige and core essence of the Maserati brand. I can guarantee you won't see a lame diesel version because they don't make them in the US and it would really be the death knell for Maserati. And lets be honest here if all things were equal nobody would choose a diesel over a gas engine especially given this caliber of car. I will be patient and purchase the current coupe as the drop top is far too limited in actual cargo space and use it as a daily driver.
We should allow the Chrysler engine to be innocent until proven guilty. For one thing, in years gone by Maserati has a fine tradition of putting big low-revving American-sounding V8s into its cars, and it gave them a distinct and rather lovely character versus the high-pitched wailing of a 12-cylinder Ferrari or Lambo. For another thing, Chrysler has made some stonking, nay, legendary engines in the past, especially when tweaked up a bit. For a third thing, the American-engined Italian-styled car was part of the glory era of the '60s and '70s - think Jensen Interceptor, Iso Grifo, various De Tomasos and the Gordon-Keeble GT. For all these reason I don't opposed it in principle - let's wait and see how this particular one turns out.
Ashok said:
Put the big engine in the smaller car and a lot of M5 owners will be tempted to switch.
I think they are two different beasts going about the same goal. Is the M5 faster yes. Would I chose it over the slower but far more expensive QP no way. THE QP makes such great sounds and has a far greater sexiness factor that numbers can't measureGassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff