Friday 21st October 2011

Kubang To Be Named Cinqueporte?

Like Ronseal, Maserati's SUV will do what it says on the can...

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The new Maserati Cinque-bang...

The new Maserati SUV revealed in concept form as the Kubang last month in Frankfurt, could hit the streets in production guise badged as the Cinqueporte.

Which to us, sounds a bit strange. Porsche wouldn't badge its SUV model the 'five door' or 'hatchback' after all, although obviously we understand the logic from a company with a Quattroporte in its line-up.

But the name Quattroporte has a bit of heritage behind it, and thus can stand its contemporary application. Cinqueporte? Not so sure, but you may like it.

Either way, reports emanating from people who like rummaging through reports from the European trademark authority confirm the name has been registered by Maserati - so it's definitely a possibility.

...nee Grand Cherokee. Or vice versa.

The only other things we think we know about the Cinqueporte/Kubang are that it's going to be built in the US at the Jeep Grand Cherokee factory, before being shipped to Italy for its expensive interior.

It's also expected to get a Ferrari-sourced 4.7 V8, but we're not sure at which end of the production chain that will be fitted.

[allgonepetetong]

In appearance it looks like a competitor to the BMW X6. How much are they and how well have they sold?

[Luca Brasi]

Like the idea of an SUV with a Ferrari V8

[P7ULG]

Another pointless motor vehicle, if you want something with a ferrari engine in buy a Ferrari, if you want a 4X4 buy a Range Rover

[G0ldfysh]

Cinque? So is it made in China? Or just look like a cheap Chinese attempt at European luxury?

[TomN1994]

Quattroporte - 4 doors (not including boot)
Cinqueporte - 5 Doors, does it include the boot this time?

[thewheelman]

I just hope Lamborghini don't follow by launching their own SUV....

[threespires]

A great source of Ferrari V8's for your Cobra Kit car in 10 years when they can be picked up for peanuts.

[fulham911club]

P7ULG said:

Another pointless motor vehicle, if you want something with a ferrari engine in buy a Ferrari, if you want a 4X4 buy a Range Rover

How many Cayennes / RR sports / X5s sell? If they were pointless they wouldn't get made or bought. You might not like them but plenty of people clearly do...

[anything fast]

what an ugly POS, makes a Cayenne look like a Ferrai Italia!!

yet another car maker jumping on the wker car bandwagon.. biggest thumbs down I could ever give!!

Strangley that Lambo concept in the earlier post looks appealing! I must be mad...

[Lawrence5]

It gets worse - suspect the alfa version will be the 4x4c then

[Bluebottle911]

Kind of Maserati to name it after a group of English costal towns, the "Cinque Ports" (Dover, Hastings, Romney, Hythe and Sandwich).

[MrCarCoach]

Maserati are really tarnishing their brand here, not because they're building an SUV, but because it will be build outside Italy in a GM factory. Hardly exotic and surely consumers will see past the marketing spin. Should be built in Italy.

Dare i say it though, it will sell well in the Emirates and in the new markets Russia, China etc.

[TVRWannabee]

Yuck. Just Yuck.

[treetops]

Looks like some horrid Chinese rip off effort as may have been said.

[myhandle]

The photo on the article is of the first Kubang concept, from 2003. The one from 2011 looks a lot sharper, and is probably what the article refers to.

[mickers70]

thewheelman said:

I just hope Lamborghini don't follow by launching their own SUV....

I WANT !!

[FlashBastd]

MrCarCoach said:

it will be build outside Italy in a GM Chrysler factory.

[king arthur]

FlashBastd said:

MrCarCoach said:

it will be build outside Italy in a GM Chrysler factory.

Yeah, that's much better...

[EDLT]

mickers70 said:

thewheelman said:

I just hope Lamborghini don't follow by launching their own SUV....

I WANT !!

+1 that is brilliant. Its like a road-going Paris-Dakar racer

[thewheelman]

EDLT said:

mickers70 said:

thewheelman said:

I just hope Lamborghini don't follow by launching their own SUV....

I WANT !!

+1 that is brilliant. Its like a road-going Paris-Dakar racer

Hmmm.....on that basis, it does become rather more attractive.