Teamspeed.com - Maserati considers Porsche-rivaling sports car

Maserati is considering building a new model to rival Porsche, a new report finds. The Italian automaker turned its first profit in 17 years in 2007, and wants to continue that success with higher worldwide sales. Maserati plans to sell 9,000 vehicles this year — up from 7,500 last year — with a goal of 12,000 units in 2012.

Rumors have been circling for several months that Maserati would introduce an SUV to achieve its sales goal of 12,000 units, but Maserati CEO Roberto Ronchi says the company is now considering a small coupe. “We want to make a decision on the new model in the first quarter of this year," he said. "The market launch for the car will take place 18 to 36 months later. An SUV model has been ruled out because the segment is declining and is already too crowded. We want to target Porsche with a sports car priced around €80,000 to €90,000.”

Ronchi failed to mention what engine would power the new model, but the company's 4.2L V8 seems like a likely candidate. The powerplant will reportedly be detuned to about 350 horsepower, but will be mated to a semi-automatic transmission with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters.

With the company's Gran Turismo model moving upscale to compete with the Mercedes CL, there seems to be plenty of room in Maserati's lineup for a smaller sports car.

Porsche seems like it will have some increased competition in the coming years as Jaguar is reportedly developing a 911-fighter.