Automotive Forums

As we reported in Upfront in our February issue, the Maserati brand has plans to produce a GT-style coupe to compete in the burgeoning six-figure coupe market currently occupied by the Bentley Continental GT, Aston Martin’s DB9, and the upcoming redesigned Mercedes-Benz CL-class. Based on a shortened version of Maserati’s Quattroporte sedan, the as-yet-unnamed coupe is expected to go on sale in 2008.

Although Maserati is now a stablemate with Alfa Romeo, in what owner Fiat calls the polo sportivo (sporting division), the $130,000-to-$150,000 GT will not share its powertrain or platform with any Alfas now in production. Rumor has it that an entry-level model — a smallish two-door, two-seat roadster in the $70,000 range — will share engines and components with Alfa. These models will replace the current Coupé and Spyder, which sell for roughly $90,000, before the end of the decade.

For those willing to shell out the mucho Ben Franklins, the Quattroporte-based two-door will get a version of the 4.2-liter DOHC V-8 that was developed when Ferrari and Maserati, under Fiat ownership, com-monly traded notes. Currently, the 4.2-liter, in various states of tune, powers all Maserati cars. We expect that the 4.2-liter will grow in size — most likely to about 4.5 liters — remain naturally aspirated, and offer nearly 500 horsepower. Making the gearchanges will be a six-speed conventional automatic transmission — expected to make it into the Quattroporte in 2007 — and a traditional manual gearbox, clutch pedal and all. Both trannies will be rear-mounted for a handling-friendly weight distribution near 50/50.

The full-size Quattroporte is no lightweight at nearly 4500 pounds, but shortening its 120.6-inch wheelbase by an estimated six inches, along with other weight-saving strategies, including aluminum and composite bodywork, should reduce the amount of mass by 400 to 500 pounds. At the same time, the wheelbase reduction will shrink the rear-seat room and make the new two-door a two-plus-two. The chassis is expected to be similar to the Quattroporte’s, with aluminum unequal-length control arms at each corner. If the mass of the coupe is kept within bounds, the new Maserati promises to provide better handling than its heavier competitors.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/driftREX/060520061139220007.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/driftREX/060520061139231619.jpg

Looks like a buick, weighs over 4000 pounds, and it will not hold its resale value. I'll pass.

http://photos.ebizautos.com/5600/1097611_4.jpg  

ssali:
As we reported in Upfront in our February issue, the Maserati brand has plans to produce a GT-style coupe to compete in the burgeoning six-figure coupe market currently occupied by the Bentley Continental GT, Aston Martin’s DB9, and the upcoming redesigned Mercedes-Benz CL-class. Based on a shortened version of Maserati’s Quattroporte sedan, the as-yet-unnamed coupe is expected to go on sale in 2008.

Although Maserati is now a stablemate with Alfa Romeo, in what owner Fiat calls the polo sportivo (sporting division), the $130,000-to-$150,000 GT will not share its powertrain or platform with any Alfas now in production. Rumor has it that an entry-level model — a smallish two-door, two-seat roadster in the $70,000 range — will share engines and components with Alfa. These models will replace the current Coupé and Spyder, which sell for roughly $90,000, before the end of the decade.

For those willing to shell out the mucho Ben Franklins, the Quattroporte-based two-door will get a version of the 4.2-liter DOHC V-8 that was developed when Ferrari and Maserati, under Fiat ownership, com-monly traded notes. Currently, the 4.2-liter, in various states of tune, powers all Maserati cars. We expect that the 4.2-liter will grow in size — most likely to about 4.5 liters — remain naturally aspirated, and offer nearly 500 horsepower. Making the gearchanges will be a six-speed conventional automatic transmission — expected to make it into the Quattroporte in 2007 — and a traditional manual gearbox, clutch pedal and all. Both trannies will be rear-mounted for a handling-friendly weight distribution near 50/50.

The full-size Quattroporte is no lightweight at nearly 4500 pounds, but shortening its 120.6-inch wheelbase by an estimated six inches, along with other weight-saving strategies, including aluminum and composite bodywork, should reduce the amount of mass by 400 to 500 pounds. At the same time, the wheelbase reduction will shrink the rear-seat room and make the new two-door a two-plus-two. The chassis is expected to be similar to the Quattroporte’s, with aluminum unequal-length control arms at each corner. If the mass of the coupe is kept within bounds, the new Maserati promises to provide better handling than its heavier competitors.

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/driftREX/060520061139220007.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y282/driftREX/060520061139231619.jpg

Looks like a buick, weighs over 4000 pounds, and it will not hold its resale value. I'll pass.

http://photos.ebizautos.com/5600/1097611_4.jpg

i think it looks better than the bentley and is right up there with the aston martin and just because it has portholes doesn't necesaraly make it look like a buick  

its funny you would post that today, I just got a post card from Maserati last night. They invited me down to test drive a coupe and find out the great lease deals they have going right now.

If I could just find someone to pay my rent for me, then I could use that money(almost the same amount of money) to pay a lease payment on the Maserati.

I am not really a fan of the Maseratis, they just don't so anything for me. I can't see buying one over a Porsche, or a Bimmer/Benz/Audi if you are looking at the sedan.  

I think the Maserati GT Coupe looks really good. But it seems like a bite-off of the Aston Martin DB9 though.