Maserati’s next GranTurismo and GranCabrio will reveal a new styling direction for the marque, and the cars are likely to be closer to 2+2s than today’s almost full four-seaters, insiders say.
The latest Maserati Quattroporte, Ghibli saloon and the upcoming Levante SUV all share a similar sculptural character. But the next-generation GranTurismo coupé and its GranCabrio sibling will update the brand’s design language.
Maserati believes that the new four-door Ghibli saloon now provides customers with a sporting four-seater of the GranTurismo’s size. This allows the next-generation versions of the coupé and cabrio to be more compact and dynamic.
Maserati aims to boost sales from under 7000 units a year to 50,000 by 2015. It will not only need a new look to update these three core models when they are replaced towards the end of this decade, but it will also need a more versatile design palette that allows for additions to the range.
According to some sources, new models could include a two-seat sports car. CEO Harald Wester recently revealed that Maserati, which built the 8C Competizione for Alfa Romeo and will make Alfa’s 4C sports car, plans to introduce limited-edition specialist models by taking advantage of its capacity for manufacturing such cars.
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ahaus and gillmanjr
"The Ghibli looks nice but still lacks any ground-breaking style"
"I am worried that Maserati's new design will spoil these two beauties"
So they are damned if they do and damned if they don't.
As for 50,000 Maseratis, that's Jaguar numbers. Not sure what "compete with the Germans means" but it certainly doesn't mean get anywhere close to their production numbers, yet Jaguar provides interesting alternatives. Don't see why Maserati can't do the same.
If I was ceo of FIAT I would leave Ferrari where it is, forget about unnecessary Maseratis with tiny production numbers like the MC12 and develop the Maserati brand as a premium marque below Ferrari and above Alfa. It's a better way to make profits.
This is worrisome...
The newest Quattroporte has lost much of its Italian grace and flair and became bloated-looking, like a Buick.
The Ghibli looks nice but still lacks any ground-breaking style and reminded me of the previous generation Quattroporte updated with typical German design cues which many other car makers are doing.
Maserati's GranTurismo and GranCabrio are drop dead gorgeous and are up there with the likes of Aston Martin in terms looks and I am worried that Maserati's new design will spoil these two beauties.
ahaus wrote: The newest
You are absolutely correct. As I've been saying since the very first article about Maserati's rediculous plans to increase their sales by almost 10 fold within 5 years, this is going to ruin Maserati's image. There is no question about it. They MUST be able to complete with the Germans to achieve those sales figures, and that cannot be done while keeping their exotic Italian heritage. It's not possible. They already have turbo charged engines and diesels being spit off the assembly line. This current GT will be the last of the beautiful and soulful Maseratis, count on it.