Rumorpile: Maserati CEO Pushing For A Mid-Engine Exotic :Comments

[William Maley]

William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

June 22, 2012

Maserati is the odd one out in the Fiat hierarchy. Not able to compete with its sister brand, Ferrari, the brand once known for grand prix cars and mid-engined exotics, now builds soft, grand tourers. However, Maserati’s chief executive wants to change that.

In a interview with Evo magazine, chief executive Harold Wester wants Maserati to go back to the olden days and is pushing for a new mid-engine sports cars. Wester said he would like the car to be “the most pure expression of Maserati sportiness possible.”

His inspiration for this? The Alfa Romeo 4C. Wester, who is also the chief executive of Alfa Romeo was impressed with the reception of the 4C that he would like to bring some of the magic to Maserati.

“Imagine having something like the Alfa Romeo 4C but for Maserati. It would have a carbonfibre monocoque and a mid-engined layout, just like the Alfa 4C, as this gives the stylists the most freedom to design something really stunning.”

The new Maserati, to be called the GranSport, would utilize the 4C’s carbon monocoque construction. Power would come from a 4.7L V8 producing 454 HP. Weight for this new Maserati is targeted at 1200 kg or about 2645 lbs, which would undercut the Ferrari 458 Italia.

The GranSport would be priced at the same level as the higher end Porsche 911s.

“I want this car to be better to drive than a 911 Turbo, but I also want it to cost less. We won’t limit the production of this car, but I’d like to think that we will sell, let’s say, between 1500 and 2000 units a year,” Wester said.

For now, this is just a proposal.

Source: Evo

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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[G. David Felt]

WHY WHY WHY, The extra Cost alone will not really help them. I can think of many better ways for this company to spend money to increase their profit than a mid engine Auto!

[William Maley]

WHY WHY WHY, The extra Cost alone will not really help them. I can think of many better ways for this company to spend money to increase their profit than a mid engine Auto!

Here's why. Maserati already has a two new sedans (The new Quattroporte and a smaller mid-size model) and a SUV (the to be renamed Kubang) which will hopefully bring some money in.

They want to do something different. Going back to their roots of building a sports car and not something like a sedan or SUV.

[Robert Hall]

Cool...Maserati hasn't had a mid-engined sports car in over 30 years (Merak was the last one IIRC).

[G. David Felt]

dfelt, on 22 June 2012 - 09:42 AM, said:

WHY WHY WHY, The extra Cost alone will not really help them. I can think of many better ways for this company to spend money to increase their profit than a mid engine Auto!

Here's why. Maserati already has a two new sedans (The new Quattroporte and a smaller mid-size model) and a SUV (the to be renamed Kubang) which will hopefully bring some money in. They want to do something different. Going back to their roots of building a sports car and not something like a sedan or SUV.

I understand the point you make, but in todays economy, I do not believe this is the right approach to take for a small company that has a small sales even though they are in the ubber rich category.

Is there a niche group of people willing to pay out mega bucks for this car, Yes I believe there will be at first, but will there be enough to sustain and make profitable this car? No I do not believe so.

If Porsche was not already mid engine, they would fail at trying to do a mid engine sports car. The 944 which was my favorite car from them and still is was a total failure.

Their customers expect mid engines, but for most people, no they do not and I do not think Maserati can do it profitably. Unless some other division also picks up the technology to reduce R&D costs.

[William Maley]

mudmonster, on , said:

dfelt, on 22 June 2012 - 09:42 AM, said:

WHY WHY WHY, The extra Cost alone will not really help them. I can think of many better ways for this company to spend money to increase their profit than a mid engine Auto!

Here's why. Maserati already has a two new sedans (The new Quattroporte and a smaller mid-size model) and a SUV (the to be renamed Kubang) which will hopefully bring some money in. They want to do something different. Going back to their roots of building a sports car and not something like a sedan or SUV.

I understand the point you make, but in todays economy, I do not believe this is the right approach to take for a small company that has a small sales even though they are in the ubber rich category.

Is there a niche group of people willing to pay out mega bucks for this car, Yes I believe there will be at first, but will there be enough to sustain and make profitable this car? No I do not believe so.

If Porsche was not already mid engine, they would fail at trying to do a mid engine sports car. The 944 which was my favorite car from them and still is was a total failure.

Their customers expect mid engines, but for most people, no they do not and I do not think Maserati can do it profitably. Unless some other division also picks up the technology to reduce R&D costs.

For now, this is just a dream for Maserati. I don't think this vehicle will the light of day.