Thursday 28th July 2011

Maserati's New Saloons To Address Size Problem

'M156' and 'M157' will solve Quattroporte's market positioning

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Not the new Quattroporte...

Maserati's next generation of saloon offerings will not be a direct replacement for the Quattroporte, it seems, as the company diversifies its four-door range to chase after a much larger slice of the luxury saloon market.

We already know that Maserati is working on two new saloons - codenamed M156 and M157. What we didn't know until now is why.

The answer, apparently, is that the current Quattroporte sits awkwardly in the saloon car market - too large to be considered a focused driver's car, too small and sporty to work as a chauffeur-driven Limo.

Thus, the new Quattroporte (M156) will be a significantly larger car, aimed at the likes of the long-wheelbase S-class and its ilk, while the 'baby' Quattroporte (M157) will be a more driver-focused choice.

According to industry website Automotive News, the bigger car will use a version of the Ferrari-built 4.7-litre V8, with direct injection and 475bhp, coupled to an 8-speed auto. It will also be priced between 125,000 euros and 150,000 euros.

The smaller M157, meanwhile, will be 5-series-sized and will use a high-end version of Chrysler's Pentastar V6, with around 400bhp. There will also be a diesel version using the VM Motori V6, a version of which currently serves in the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Interestingly, AN says that the baby Quattroporte, which is scheduled to be launched next year, was originally slated to be a flagship Alfa Romeo, but that Fiat Group's management reckoned that the Maserati name would endow the car with more kudos (and no doubt a higher price tag).

Both saloons are set to be built at the Officine Automobilistiche Grugliasco (OAG), which was formerly the Carrozzeria Bertone and was bought by the Fiat Group back in 2009.

[bmthnick1981]

5 series size car is a good move, but Chrsyler engine? Really? Is it any good?

[TommyBuoy]

More Maseratis to look at - no bad thing.

Assuming the V6 will be turbo charged?

[Matt UK]

A diesel Maserati eh...

<looks out the window and remembers when it were all fields>

[Zod]

"The smaller M157, meanwhile, will be 5-series-sized and will use a high-end version of Chrysler's Pentastar V6, with around 400bhp. There will also be a diesel version using the VM Motori V6, a version of which currently serves in the Jeep Grand Cherokee.2

Oh dear!

[PaulFontaine]

The most exciting thing from a car guy's perspective is that the Maser is basically a four door ferrari and the coupe is a heavily discounted califonia. While they have great interior I think putting in the chrysler motor as good and strong as it is really will give the car a bland feeling and take away its heart. I am sure the badge snobs wont mind though. I think they should have left the same motor for both making the smaller lighter car the drivers choice and the larger geared towards passenger comfort.

[AL...Ease]

Chrysler engine
Diesel engine
Liter

[MonteV]

PaulFontaine said:

The most exciting thing from a car guy's perspective is that the Maser is basically a four door ferrari and the coupe is a heavily discounted califonia. While they have great interior I think putting in the chrysler motor as good and strong as it is really will give the car a bland feeling and take away its heart. I am sure the badge snobs wont mind though. I think they should have left the same motor for both making the smaller lighter car the drivers choice and the larger geared towards passenger comfort.

+1

[Nors]

Just love these Massa's. Cars of the moment for me! However, what's with the Chrysler hook up? When did that come about? Sure way to devalue the decent "Brand" image it's attained of late and throwing away everything they've worked for!!!!

[goron59]

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 tt.

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

[wab172uk]

Small version?

5 Series size?

Is the 5 series considered small?

Looks huge to me.

[ParanoidAndroid]

475bhp for the bigger car, is that enough? When the likes of BMW, Jag, Audi's mid size cars (5 series, a6 etc) all have 500+ in their top of the range models.

[zaphod42]

ParanoidAndroid said:

475bhp for the bigger car, is that enough? When the likes of BMW, Jag, Audi's mid size cars (5 series, a6 etc) all have 500+ in their top of the range models.

Doe it really matter? I'm more interested in how it might drive, and the power to weight...

[jains15]

Matt UK said:

A diesel Maserati eh...

<looks out the window and remembers when it were all fields>

I know what you mean. My head says this is good, as it may help with Sales (taking away from high end E-classes maybe?) and keep the marque going. And it may be good for me professionally as I work in vehicle leasing.

Heart says - "Diesel Maserati? WTF?"

Got to keep an open mind on these things I think though. The bigger the unit the lesss diesel-y it is I find...

[JohnGoodridge]

Disappointing.

Like teaching Linford Christie to tell jokes so he can be funny, while putting Johnny Vegas on a diet so he can run the 100m.

[don logan]

I LOVE the current QP, I would choose it over a V10 M5 or an E63 and sacrifice the performance IF that was the kind of car I was looking for!

I drove an 80s QP once and it was huge, 4 people sitting in the back not that cramped and we had skis in the boot width ways (no we aren`t umpa loompas

[marshalla]

Nors said:

However, what's with the Chrysler hook up? When did that come about?

Just before Chrysler went bust. They now share a CEO and Fiat are a major shareholder.

http://www.leftlanenews.com/marchionne-fiat-chrysl...

[behappier]

Lovely...

[MogulBoy]

Where the current Quattorporte scores is that it already has the ability to seat 5 when most rivals are strictly 4 seaters. Making it even bigger can only help sales for those who find that an appealing prospect. Not so sure about the V6 variant though but if anyone can make it sound great it will be Maserati!

[Black S2K]

behappier said:

Lovely...

You've got a good memory!

Not too sure about the big Alfa becoming a Maserati, although I've always wondered why they didn't plank-share those two brands more; RWD 164 & a Dueporte or somesuch. Still, so long as the new car doesn't look like Michael Winner like the MiTo, I'm sure it'll be fine. Even if it's another version of the 300C...

[The Wookie]

I'm stunned that they've actually admitted to using a Chrysler lump and not told a porkie.