Maserati SUV to get HEMI V8, not Ferrari power

Car Advice reports that it was previously thought the all-new Maserati SUV would feature a Ferrari engine of some sort as part of the Maserati/Ferrari Fiat ownership. The new SUV will now do without the Ferrari powerplant in favour of a Chrysler HEMI V8.

Power is expected to be somewhere near the 347kW mark. Even though Maserati certainly has the capability to come up with such figures using its Ferrari-derived 4.7-litre V8, the engine is considered to be too high-revving for the large SUV, and needs something with more low-end torque.

It won’t share much else with its American counterpart though. The flash Maserati will showcase plenty of luxury and elegance and typical Italian flare. The interior will likely be decked out in voluptuous lashings of leather, while the exterior will grace Maserati’s latest design philosophy with large rear ‘hips’ and an aggressive front end.

The Maserati SUV is set for production sometime in 2013. It will be built at Chrysler’s Jefferson North assembly plant in Detroit, US.

Source [Car Advice Australia]

 

Would sound great with the Ferrari engine.

 

This is getting insane with these SUV's, I was worried about BMW, then terrified about Porsche, now this, is there any sacred supercar maker, I mean its using a Hemi and being built in the US, its no Maserati IMHO

 

+1 (although the X5 is a fab car )

I definitely respect American cars, the Chevy Camaro being one of the most good looking cars ever imo. But their engines don't belong in Maserati's. And Maserati's aren't Maserati's unless built in Modena.

 

it's all about profits. car makers have realized that general buyers are after the brand, looks and luxury.

i expect the fit and finish to be more of a problem than the hemi engine. even Mercedes and BMW took a few years to make their american made cars at par. their quality control is much better than maserati.

 

A Hemi and built in America, it no longer is a Maserati.

 

+1.

Very dumb move. Here's an idea for Maserti- Build MORE unique cars. And don't make them look like a 'poor mans Ferrari'. (not a slight on the actual buyers mind you, just the overall looks of the car)

Really set Maserati different from it's more prestigeous brother- Ferrari.

Just a thought.

And put down that crack pipe......Silly wabbits....'Merican built Mas? Oh helllllllllllz no.

 

Closest metaphor comes to mind, is like going to get a pair of Tods ($400) Loafers but they are not made in Italy but in China.

I like the Hemi engine and dont mind that its built in America but its not a Maserati, first of all the engine is too common. They should of sticked to the 4.3L found in the Cali, F430, Granturismo, 8C Alfa and started from there.

 

HEY!!

we don't put lead poisoning in our products here in the 'States' thank you very much!!!

 

I love it!