Maserati preparing 911-killer?
It looks like Jaguar isn't the one with its sites set on the Porsche 911, as Maserati may have plans to bring a new sports coupe to market in the €80-90,000 price range. The revelation comes straight from the horse's mouth: Maserati CEO Roberto Ronchi outlined that his company will decide on a new model sometime this quarter, with an eye towards market introduction over a broad window of 18 to 36 months from then.
Ronchi knows that in order to achieve its sales target of 12,000 units in 2011, his company will need an additional model. Although an SUV to compete with the Cayenne was tipped to be the way forward, Ronchi says a new sportscar positioned underneath the GranTurismo, which grew significantly in size over the Coupe it effectively replaced, is the better choice. The design students from Turin just might have the right idea with their upcoming Chicane concept.
[Source: Motor Authority]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
YourNameHere 6:25PM (1/31/2008)
you know you have built the pinnacle of a segment when anyone and everyone wants to "kill it". jaguar...maser...there is no substitute
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Kumail 6:29PM (1/31/2008)
oh god, i wish its the Chicane concept oh god, please.
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mk 6:39PM (1/31/2008)
Agreed. Good luck to them, though. Competition is what Porsche built for.
The R8, and these potential italians and brits will only re-focus Porsche on making the 911 that much better.
Heck, I'd be satisfied with a cool modified Cayman S. :D Mid-engine chassis dynamics, and low boxer CG, FTW.
I just wonder how an 80-120k Maserati coupe deals with the 8C Competizione, and the rumored Ferrari Dino revival.
Jaguar no longer has to worry about in-fighting with the Aston Vantage V8, they are separated from each other, and from Ford. Neither worry about TVR, since it has pretty much disappeared, unfortunately.
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Will 7:16PM (1/31/2008)
If anything is ever declared the new benchmark sportscar over the 911, Porsche need only put the Turbo's engine in the Cayman chassis to one-up them.
And I don't mean that to be kind to Porsche. Frankly, I think the 911 is kind of idiotic--a series of compensations (admittedly brilliant ones) for an outdated and less-than-optimal layout.
Quattroporte 7:27PM (1/31/2008)
"The fuel economy rules actually exempt or grant waivers to manufacturers that produce fewer than 10,000 vehicles annually worldwide."
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/20/what-does-the-future-hold-for-supercars-with-new-fuel-economy-ru/
So, why do they want to sell 12,000 cars a year.
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416Hammy 7:43PM (1/31/2008)
Didn't Maserati try this already--and fail--with the 2002-2007 Maserati Coupé (GT)?
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Punkcrisis 8:26PM (1/31/2008)
The only problem I have with this is that it will probably be over weight, which is my main problem with most cars these days.
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Carl 8:48PM (1/31/2008)
Just about everyone has tried to build a '911 killer'. The R8 is pretty close but will it be around in 40 years? I bet the 911 will be...
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Franz 9:09PM (1/31/2008)
This segment is really heating up. Good times for those with $80k and upwards to spend.
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DJJB 10:44PM (1/31/2008)
You meant 'sights' not 'sites' in your first sentence. Do try to avoid the misused homonym.
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HotRodzNKustoms 1:28AM (2/01/2008)
As much as I love Maserati. I think trying to kill the impossible to kill 911 is a bad business decision. Time and time again company after company has tried to come out with a 911 killer and failed.
Sure they may build a car that is faster, more comfortable and superior in nearly every way shape and form (see Corvette) but whatever goes after the 911 lacks a key ingredient when trying to compete with the 911 and would you like to know what that is? It's not 911, duh.
Que the Hyundai DUH music please.
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almost Dr. G.. 6:40AM (2/01/2008)
well said "HotRodzNKustoms"
as long as its not a new gen 911 it wont kill the 911. itll need to be something amazing (ala GT-R which people still complain about) to give it a slight shove. porsche is the benchmark. look how great the infiniti g35/37 is and bmw is still the best (even though its $5-7k more). its been around for generations and people will always pay for the brand name over the snoozy competitor.
on the other hand, this competition will make the 911 better.
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MikeInNC 8:25AM (2/01/2008)
I think the press is the one who comes up with "911 killer". I think what Maserati wants to do is build a car that competes in the price range/performance category with the 911 but Maserati has always been known for their amazing interior work (blank the BiTurbo from your mind). If Maser enters the market at this price range, expect it to perform close to the 911 but be a bit heavier and more luxurious than the Porsche. this is their sweet spot. The last GT was an awesome car but the back end killed it's sales. Overall, a very nice car though.
The Chicane concept has serious potential. It's got a beautiful organic/female looking design somewhat like the new Alfa. I do think it would be a real hit and I can't wait to buy one (once it's 10 years old and I can afford it).
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