RE: More Details Emerge About 'Baby Quattroporte'
Discussion
I was really excited about this when i read the title. To bo honest, i still am.
Its given me something to start saving for. I love the quattroporte and i'd love a slightly smaller/fresher version of it.
Surely it won't be as bad as many of you are speculating it will be. The 300c might be a horrible car, but i'm sure Maserati can work their magic.
Its given me something to start saving for. I love the quattroporte and i'd love a slightly smaller/fresher version of it.
Surely it won't be as bad as many of you are speculating it will be. The 300c might be a horrible car, but i'm sure Maserati can work their magic.
Blukoo said:
I was really excited about this when i read the title. To bo honest, i still am.
Its given me something to start saving for. I love the quattroporte and i'd love a slightly smaller/fresher version of it.
Surely it won't be as bad as many of you are speculating it will be. The 300c might be a horrible car, but i'm sure Maserati can work their magic.
Since Fiat now owns Chrysler and in the article they said the NEXT GENERATION 300 then hopefully the next Gen 300 will be a sight betterIts given me something to start saving for. I love the quattroporte and i'd love a slightly smaller/fresher version of it.
Surely it won't be as bad as many of you are speculating it will be. The 300c might be a horrible car, but i'm sure Maserati can work their magic.
One of the main reasons for the Fiat-Chrysler tie-up was to allow each side to benefit from increased volumes of the same platform. This is endemic at the volume manufacturer level - VAG runs many models of the same platform. But it has also been done across the mainstream-niche divide, notably with the Cayenne/Toerag tie-up. The Cayenne is not really my cup of tea, but everything I have read suggests it is an astonishing bit of engineering, and the fact that you can by a Toerag equivalent for a fraction of the price doesn't seem to have harmed the Porker.
I would hope it is this approach that Fiat is taking here - Maserati will develop the car to a suitably high standard and then Chrysler will make a cut price version. The increased volumes resulting from the Chrysler model will help keep down the cost of the Maserati version (or, if you are more cynical, increase the profitability of the endeavour).
Of course, if Chrysler develop it and Maserati try and then tart it up it will be a disaster and destroy the brand value that Maserati has built up with its most recent cars (QP, Granturismo, Grancabrio).
I would hope it is this approach that Fiat is taking here - Maserati will develop the car to a suitably high standard and then Chrysler will make a cut price version. The increased volumes resulting from the Chrysler model will help keep down the cost of the Maserati version (or, if you are more cynical, increase the profitability of the endeavour).
Of course, if Chrysler develop it and Maserati try and then tart it up it will be a disaster and destroy the brand value that Maserati has built up with its most recent cars (QP, Granturismo, Grancabrio).
Ex Boy Racer said:
oh dear... hope my 300C isn't devalued too much by this association...
Only if its got the "Bentley Pack" LOL.Seriously though, why do Autocar and now Pistonheads "news" sections reprint any old cr@p from blogs? Anybody remember the new entry level £80K Ferrari Dino? Whoops its actually £150k!
Edited by sjn2004 on Monday 6th September 20:49
I could have sworn the 300C was already based on an old Mercedes platform?
Oh, this from Wiki:
"The Chrysler 300 is based on the rear-wheel drive Chrysler LX platform which features components derived from the W210 Mercedes-Benz E-Class of 1996 to 2002. Shared components include the rear suspension design, front seat frames, wiring harnesses, steering column, the 5-speed automatic transmission's design, and a derivative of the 4Matic all-wheel drive system. The Chrysler 300 also features a double wishbone front suspension that is derived from the W220 Mercedes-Benz S-Class."
Oh, this from Wiki:
"The Chrysler 300 is based on the rear-wheel drive Chrysler LX platform which features components derived from the W210 Mercedes-Benz E-Class of 1996 to 2002. Shared components include the rear suspension design, front seat frames, wiring harnesses, steering column, the 5-speed automatic transmission's design, and a derivative of the 4Matic all-wheel drive system. The Chrysler 300 also features a double wishbone front suspension that is derived from the W220 Mercedes-Benz S-Class."
matt9k said:
Small world, used to see that Biturbo regularly when I worked in Italy. It's as tatty as hell inside and rusting on the bootlid, ran a bit smoky too. Saw a slightly tidier dark blue one now and again that had been converted to LPG 
Photo from late 2006...
Blimey, small world indeed!Photo from late 2006...
And as for this, must admit 'dubious' is the word. As others have said, Maserati has finally made itself back to a well polished brand, this could really ruin it. Does it mean the current generation 300 or some kind of glorious, epic next generation? If the latter then there is hope for Chrysler from a drivers point of view and hope for Maserati/Lancia/Alfa from a financial point of view I'd imagine, but if the former then 'lol'.
vit4 said:
matt9k said:
Small world, used to see that Biturbo regularly when I worked in Italy. It's as tatty as hell inside and rusting on the bootlid, ran a bit smoky too. Saw a slightly tidier dark blue one now and again that had been converted to LPG
Photo from late 2006...
Blimey, small world indeed!Photo from late 2006...
And as for this, must admit 'dubious' is the word. As others have said, Maserati has finally made itself back to a well polished brand, this could really ruin it. Does it mean the current generation 300 or some kind of glorious, epic next generation? If the latter then there is hope for Chrysler from a drivers point of view and hope for Maserati/Lancia/Alfa from a financial point of view I'd imagine, but if the former then 'lol'.
If they can make a V6TT diesel with 400hp, I wonder how much torque it'll have!
Should have some brutal acceleration since most diesels seem to have nearly twice as much torque than hp.
Alas, it'll probably have ~270hp and 400lb.-ft.
Love the idea of the new mini QP, it appeared everyone was missing the point earlier on in the post, im glad someone has pointed out that it will be made on the next generation of 300c. I am sure Masser will ensure the platform is spot on even before they start tweaking with it....
On that note, im sure the next Gen. 300c will be an excellent car providing superb bang/buck
On that note, im sure the next Gen. 300c will be an excellent car providing superb bang/buck
Maserati Biturbo sharing bits with the Chrysler TC? Not a chance!
First of all, the Biturbo was rear drive whilst the TC was front drive. The TC was, in fact, little more than a rebodied Chrysler LeBaron cabrio. 1989 TCs used a 2.2 litre turbocharged four cylinder made by Chrysler. 1990-91 models were powered by a Mitsubishi 3.0 litre V6.
Maserati made the bodies and interiors, but I challenge anyone to find any bit of a TC that was shared with the Biturbo. In short, the TC was simply a LeBaron wearing an Italian suit.
Cheers,
Madman of the People
First of all, the Biturbo was rear drive whilst the TC was front drive. The TC was, in fact, little more than a rebodied Chrysler LeBaron cabrio. 1989 TCs used a 2.2 litre turbocharged four cylinder made by Chrysler. 1990-91 models were powered by a Mitsubishi 3.0 litre V6.
Maserati made the bodies and interiors, but I challenge anyone to find any bit of a TC that was shared with the Biturbo. In short, the TC was simply a LeBaron wearing an Italian suit.
Cheers,
Madman of the People
Edited by MadmanO/T People on Tuesday 7th September 17:33
Checked the date, no it's not April the 1st,
What are Fiat thinking, Maserati is not a mass brand Alfa and Lancia are. The chassis will really need to be a big step up if this is to work.
Surely Fiat needs to rethink this the replacement 300C needs to be positioned Chrysler and Lancia building an executive sedan/ saloon - wagon / estate luxury orientated for respective US and European tastes.
. Dodge should build the cheap and cheerful (but fast) sedan and coupe for Europe and N America
Meanwhile Alfa needs a brand flagship sporty with leather again a saloon and coupe but with class, again for Europe and N America.
As for Maserati keep with the Quatroporte, and an SUV based on the prototype chassis for future Jeep's which will sell to customers in India & China alongside GT's and a sub Ferrari sports car.
What are Fiat thinking, Maserati is not a mass brand Alfa and Lancia are. The chassis will really need to be a big step up if this is to work.
Surely Fiat needs to rethink this the replacement 300C needs to be positioned Chrysler and Lancia building an executive sedan/ saloon - wagon / estate luxury orientated for respective US and European tastes.
. Dodge should build the cheap and cheerful (but fast) sedan and coupe for Europe and N America
Meanwhile Alfa needs a brand flagship sporty with leather again a saloon and coupe but with class, again for Europe and N America.
As for Maserati keep with the Quatroporte, and an SUV based on the prototype chassis for future Jeep's which will sell to customers in India & China alongside GT's and a sub Ferrari sports car.
jake15919 said:
It wouldn't be the first time Maserati took some parts bin bits and made a good car. I suspect the 300C will be based on the Maserati rather than the other way round.
indeed :nod: Maserati Ghibli as well as Bora contained shedloads of Citroen parts and nobody would dare to challenge their rank under the all time greats (they had more prestige than Ferrari @ their time...)Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff