Maserati Considering New Entry-Level Model

The recession got everyone to think about downsizing, even high-end car manufacturers like Maserati. The Italians are contemplating the introduction of a third model in their line-up. The new car would be smaller, would still have four seats and should be a volume seller.

“For now we are launching the GranCabrio,” said Maserati SpA commercial director Raffaele Fusilli at the opening of Ateco Automotive’s $32 million headquarters and Ferrari Maserati Sydney dealership this week . “Then in the mid-term we are focussing on the revamp of our model range, for sure, and the first one will be the new (Quattroporte) four-door. Eventually it’s possible to think also of another model in our range… maybe smaller than the current models.”

“We’re talking about that but it’s too early to anticipate something because we are at the start of this project and nothing has been started yet. For sure we are thinking about how to enlarge our presence in the segments. There are possibilities… opportunities.((“Maserati already gained a good position in terms of perception, so we are also analysing possibilities to eventually expand our range with a smaller version, but it has to fit first of all customer expectation and secondly it has to make a profit,” he said.

Maserati will also take a new position regarding consumption and CO2 emissions. The Italian brand is going to concentrate on lighter, more efficient models as emissions regulations are getting more and more strict.

“The new generation of Maseratis for sure will be lighter – we will reduce weight… downsize the engine. We could talk now of downsizing engines, bi-turbo, V6. The point is to try to downsize the size of the engine. There is more flexibility with the V6 by putting a bi-turbo on the engine,” Raffaele Fusilli said.