More Maseratis can hardly be a bad thing – unless you're one of the unfortunates trying to maintain a BiTurbo without losing your shirt. Modern Masers are sumptuous and beautiful, quintessential expressions of the Gran Turismo idiom. The gloriousness of recent trident-wearing Italians has led to a boom in sales. Maserati is looking at increasing its profitability by expanding the model range downward. A smaller Maserati sports coupe priced in Porsche 911 territory could give sales a further boost, though the swooning economy may not help the exotic brand move units. The car would be based on a hacksawed version of the Gran Turismo's platform, leaving room for only two occupants. A spiffy Maserati in the $80-100,000 range is expected to be capable of moving more than 6,000 per year, powered by the expected V8s, and possibly a V6 for increased efficiency. Mortgaging the house for this vehicle is likely a bad idea, but another choice in the segment and price range that it's expected to occupy has us nodding in approval.[Source: Autocar]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Andrew @ Jul 10th 2008 10:16AM
Is it just me or does that logo look like a fork? I think a little more detail is needed to clearly show that it's a trident.
Smeagle @ Jul 10th 2008 11:02AM
I'd say it's more of a spork. That will strike fear into the hearts of its competitors.
Flea @ Jul 10th 2008 11:31AM
that logo is from a set of photoshopped "baby" logos...
the Ferrari one looked like a pony, Lamborghini looked like a veal, etc.
CarbonBlack @ Jul 10th 2008 3:57PM
Here you go, flea was correct.
The link has all 4 of the "baby car logos"
-Ferrari
-Lamborghini
-Maserati
-Jaguar
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/05/04/goo-goo-ga-ga-baby-car-logos-for-the-kids/
john @ Jul 10th 2008 10:27AM
Part of the downsizing will be turning the trident into a fork?
Mobius_1 @ Jul 10th 2008 11:23AM
I can't say Maserati without turning all Italian and passionate and romantic and daydreamer, what a beautiful name
Michael @ Jul 10th 2008 11:24AM
The last Maserati coupe was in Porsche 911 price range. But the new Gran Tourismo starts at almost 120K, that's Porsche Turbo range. So I guess I understand the move Maserati wants to make, come up with a car back in the 911 price range, but the options list add up so quick on these Masers, they'll be knocking on the 100k door.
Frank Filipponio @ Jul 10th 2008 11:27AM
Best photoshop ever. :D
J M C 3 @ Jul 10th 2008 12:19PM
Maserati should do a stylish Italian 4 place coupe comparable to the BMW 6 series or MB CLK.
Playing also ran to Ferrari's product mix will never get them anywhere.
fujia @ Jul 10th 2008 12:28PM
I think it's time Maserati stopped selling cars in the US. For Pete's sake they still have 2006 (yes 06) Coupes and QP's stashed behind dealership showrooms !
Shiftright @ Jul 11th 2008 4:30AM
Uh, those were probably customers cars in for service or used cars. Maserati has been selling very well in the US and worldwide, thank you very much.
Bruxell @ Jul 10th 2008 1:12PM
Two words: Clutch, Pedal!
Ok, on more word, Yay!
Sean Flanagan @ Jul 10th 2008 2:48PM
Where have we heard this before? Oh yeah! Right here on Autoblog! A contest run a few years ago...
And I won!
http://www.autoblog.com/2005/09/26/smaller-and-cheaper-maserati-round-up/