Maserati SUV confirmed

HINTED and now proven to be true, Maserati has unveiled its Porsche Cayenne-chaser - an SUV now wearing the same name as its original concept, Kubang.

Though Maserati initially denied the existence of the SUV, it wowed the Frankfurt motor show this week with a wagon that - despite some sharing with the Chrysler Group’s Jeep Grand Cherokee - has Maserati-made engine, suspensions, brakes, handling, performance and - claims the company - style.

The engine is designed by Maserati and, like all Maserati engines, will be made by Ferrari. It will be mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Kubang will also have specific performance settings such as suspensions, brakes, steering that will be developed in Modena for the Kubang by the Maserati Product Development Department.

As expected, the merger of Fiat - parent of Maserati - and Chrysler will mean some vital chassis components of the Maserati SUV will be borrowed from the Chrysler Jeep Grand Cherokee 4WD.

Maserati’s product development manager, engineer Benedetto Orvietani, was interviewed by Carsguide in July and was keeping very quiet about the SUV’s development.

However, he then agreed that the vehicle is an important cog in Maserati’s range.

The Kubang is expected to use Maserati’s 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine and probably the option of the VM Motori 3-litre V6 turbo-diesel. Both will be mated to the ZF eight-speed automatic transmission but is unlikely to have a transfer case like the Grand Cherokee.

The suspension is also believed to be double wishbone front and multi-link rear with electronic adjustable air bladders.

It is possible that demand for the high-end SUV would be sufficient to double Maserati’s sales. It’s hinted that annual production could be up to 6000 units a year - a massive figure given Maserati’s 2010 output of less than 6000 vehicles.

That’s not possible at Modena, Maserati’s home town. But it is possible to add to the existing car production by outsourcing assembly - maybe to the US.