According to the guys at Top Gear, the upcoming Maserati SUV will be powered not by some measly 3.0-liter turbocharged V6, but by the mighty 6.4-liter HEMI V8 that’s found in the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8. The move seems logical, as Chrysler and Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said production of the Maserati SUV will take place in 2012 at the American automaker’s Jefferson North assembly plant.
At that time, it was believed that the SUV that is to be underpinned by the Jeep Grand Cherokee platform will have its V8 growl imported over from Ferrari, but that might not have been the most financially viable option.
With an American chassis and engine, Maserati will lose most of its European heritage, but it might also drop in price. In addition, company officials are reportedly going to present the HEMI as being the best option given its higher torque output, which is what SUV need most. The unit will likely produce 465 horsepower, which isn’t a lot considering the large displacement of the V8.
Top Gear also says there will be a 3.0-liter V6 diesel with about 240 hp and 550 Nm (406 lb-ft) of torque, mixing refinement and efficiency. You can expect to see the Maserati SUV on the roads in late 2013 as a 2014MY.
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