'06 Maserati Coupe/Spyder - Axed?
Discussion
Most of the motoring magazines have been reporting the teaming-up of Alfa Romeo and Maserati. Details, or at least reliable ones, seem scant. It appears Ferrari will still paint the Masers and the engines will come from the same source. I guess this makes sense as the operation is already up and running.
However, it's been reported that the '06 Maserati coupe & Spyder have been canned (due to being too expensive to build) and any replacement is still at least a couple of years off. Whilst I can't comment about how much they would have cost to build, the fact that many development hacks had been "scooped & spotted" must have meant that much of the development was already done. Using a shortened Q'porte chassis must have meant good savings anyway. Are they crazy to axe them at the last minute? I think so. Just what is any new car going to be based on?
I fear, in the attempt to increase sales to 10,000 units a year, Maserati are going to go "down market". A new 4x4 based on the new Alfa premium platform is mooted. Is this really what people want? There's also talk of a cheap Qporte based on this platform.
Whilst I appreciate Maserati must make a profit (or at least smaller loses), surely there's a better way?
I just hope they don't "do a Jaguar" and alienate the true Maserati enthusiast/buyer by diluting the brand.
I'm just a bit gutted the Coupe/Spyder won't be with us next year. Especially if it looked like the 4200/DB9 lookalike rendering in Autocar late last year. No THAT was a car to kickstart sales
However, it's been reported that the '06 Maserati coupe & Spyder have been canned (due to being too expensive to build) and any replacement is still at least a couple of years off. Whilst I can't comment about how much they would have cost to build, the fact that many development hacks had been "scooped & spotted" must have meant that much of the development was already done. Using a shortened Q'porte chassis must have meant good savings anyway. Are they crazy to axe them at the last minute? I think so. Just what is any new car going to be based on?
I fear, in the attempt to increase sales to 10,000 units a year, Maserati are going to go "down market". A new 4x4 based on the new Alfa premium platform is mooted. Is this really what people want? There's also talk of a cheap Qporte based on this platform.
Whilst I appreciate Maserati must make a profit (or at least smaller loses), surely there's a better way?
I just hope they don't "do a Jaguar" and alienate the true Maserati enthusiast/buyer by diluting the brand.
I'm just a bit gutted the Coupe/Spyder won't be with us next year. Especially if it looked like the 4200/DB9 lookalike rendering in Autocar late last year. No THAT was a car to kickstart sales
Twin Turbo said:
.....However, it's been reported that the '06 Maserati coupe & Spyder have been canned (due to being too expensive to build).....
Where, do you have a link?
Are they keeping the gransport in production and effectively dropping the base models?
DAZ
>> Edited by dazren on Tuesday 5th April 23:18
I've heard a lot on this recently from sources at dealers, magazines and specialists.
The standard rumour (and it is still unconfirmed from any official channel as far as I know) is that the 06 coupe is indeed canned. This has been reported in EVO (current issue) and also this weeks Autocar.
Personally I think it's a real shame, the only bright light on the horizon is the possibility that we could see Maserati become a halo brand for Alfa, rather than a sub brand of ferrari.
Could we see a Maserati badged 8C Competizione in the not too distant future? I hope so. In the meantime I figure the Gransport is going to be around for a year or two more
The standard rumour (and it is still unconfirmed from any official channel as far as I know) is that the 06 coupe is indeed canned. This has been reported in EVO (current issue) and also this weeks Autocar.
Personally I think it's a real shame, the only bright light on the horizon is the possibility that we could see Maserati become a halo brand for Alfa, rather than a sub brand of ferrari.
Could we see a Maserati badged 8C Competizione in the not too distant future? I hope so. In the meantime I figure the Gransport is going to be around for a year or two more
dazren said:
Are they keeping the gransport in production and effectively dropping the base models?
DAZ
Daz - I think twin turbo was referring to the brand new replacement model for the present 4200, thats been mooted in the press for the last few months.
From speaking to a number of dealers recently, I got the impression that if the new model was dropped, then the 4200 and Gransport would continue in production for the foreseeable future. So no, I don’t think from what I've been told the 'base' models are for the chop - far from it. This news seems to cement their future (and that of the Gransport) even more...
But then again, how much do you believe a dealer!
Cheers,
Michael
Yep, I meant the replacement for the current coupe/spyder has been canned. Sorry for the confusion.
I'd love this to mean the Alfa 8C gets the go-ahead, but the cynic in me just sees cheaper Maseratis on the horizon.
I guess the 4200 is good enough to soldier on for a couple more years, but my fear is to start developing an alternative replacement now would take 3-4 years. I just hope they don't think about using the new Alfa 159 "premium" platform. They would have problems fitting the V8 anyway as that chassis is designed for a transverse engine.
Hopefully the product plan will be outlined soon.
I'd love this to mean the Alfa 8C gets the go-ahead, but the cynic in me just sees cheaper Maseratis on the horizon.
I guess the 4200 is good enough to soldier on for a couple more years, but my fear is to start developing an alternative replacement now would take 3-4 years. I just hope they don't think about using the new Alfa 159 "premium" platform. They would have problems fitting the V8 anyway as that chassis is designed for a transverse engine.
Hopefully the product plan will be outlined soon.
chris_crossley said:
Perhaps they will do one or two more cosmetic upgrades on the current model now they have got the chassis properly sorted, or they could even do a more comprehensive redesign on the existing chassis.
How about boomerang lights?
Amazing idea where on earth did you get that from!
How about the bonnet vents as well?
mal said:
chris_crossley said:
mal said:
Perhaps they will do one or two more cosmetic upgrades on the current model now they have got the chassis properly sorted, or they could even do a more comprehensive redesign on the existing chassis.
How about boomerang lights?
Amazing idea where on earth did you get that from!
How about the bonnet vents as well?
Just a thought, seems like it would give the car a real unique touch. It would also mean an order from me
. Hmmm, bonnet vents. Nice, tastefull, good idea
>> Edited by chris_crossley on Wednesday 6th April 16:23
Didn't I read on one of these forums that a Maserati dealer will arrange for boomerang lights on a 4200 for something like £8k?
I think it was also somewhere on www.italiaspeed.com that I read the 4.2 litre V8 was going to be stretched to 5 itres for the new car (or the top version of it.)
I wish I could find a picture of the Autocar rendering of the replacement 4200. I had a thread going late last year and someone found a picture and posted it on the thread. Now all you get is a red X
That car was truly gorgeous. An artists impression it may have been, but if the real thing was as good looking I'm sure it would have sold 10000 units alone.
I think it was also somewhere on www.italiaspeed.com that I read the 4.2 litre V8 was going to be stretched to 5 itres for the new car (or the top version of it.)
I wish I could find a picture of the Autocar rendering of the replacement 4200. I had a thread going late last year and someone found a picture and posted it on the thread. Now all you get is a red X
That car was truly gorgeous. An artists impression it may have been, but if the real thing was as good looking I'm sure it would have sold 10000 units alone.
Twin Turbo said:
Didn't I read on one of these forums that a Maserati dealer will arrange for boomerang lights on a 4200 for something like £8k?
I think it was also somewhere on www.italiaspeed.com that I read the 4.2 litre V8 was going to be stretched to 5 itres for the new car (or the top version of it.)
I wish I could find a picture of the Autocar rendering of the replacement 4200. I had a thread going late last year and someone found a picture and posted it on the thread. Now all you get is a red X
That car was truly gorgeous. An artists impression it may have been, but if the real thing was as good looking I'm sure it would have sold 10000 units alone.
Twin Turbo - Here is the story Italiaspeed ran, with another impression.
I'm sure this didnt look much like the one Autocar showed though?
Cheers,
Michael
Twin Turbo said:
Didn't I read on one of these forums that a Maserati dealer will arrange for boomerang lights on a 4200 for something like £8k?
Think the quote was me and I think the cost was around $15k, it's a kit dealers can import form the US as I understand it, don't have any more details though...
Would be great to have a fully specced Gransport with the boomerangs though if money was no object!
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