Via Autocar come these first pictures of a long-rumored entry-level Maserati sedan testing in Europe with Quattroporte-based bodywork. The British buff book reports
Despite looking similar to the Quattroporte at first glance, the mule’s identity is given away by its shorter wheelbase, smaller front brakes and ill-fitting windscreen. The mule also sports just one exhaust pipe on each side at the rear, instead of the brace that appear out of the bumper on each side of its bigger brother.
The €55k Maserati sedan is said to be based on the platform used for Alfa’s 166 replacement, which is widely rumored to be the same Chrysler LX platform that currently underpins the 300 and Dodge Charger. However, because the LX platform’s wheelbase is only .6 inches shorter than the Quattroporte’s 120.6 inch measurement, it’s perhaps more likely that this BMW M5-fighter is based on the shorter LY variant, which has a 116 inch wheelbase. In any case, the global success of the Quattroporte makes this entry-level model of special interest… especially if Maserati can spin a Chrysler-based platform into sales gold.
The €55k Maserati sedan
Since that would likely translate into a US MSRP of $55k, I think it could do quite well against similarly priced Lexus, Audi, BMW, Mercedes.
At todays exchange rates, it’s more like $75,000
Why not save the dough and just bring back the Chrysler TC by Maserati?
Because that’s more likely to be a Lancia.
I second jmo’s comment. Always wanted a Chrysler TC. Like a mini-LeBaron. Optional removable hardtop, please.
That’s clearly a Buick wearing a Maserati nose for camoflage. You can tell by the tacky stick-on portholes and ugly C-pillar.
Serioulsy, Maserati…drop the pep-boys styling do-dads.
Dude, what are you smoking? The portholes and C pillar resemble every other modern era Maserati.
First thing I thought was “It looks like a Buick.”
It’s beautiful and I want one. That dropped nose is what the 300 should have had all along.
I assume this will replace the Alfa Romeo 166 (or whatever the large one was called), which never sold well.
If Maserati could, in such a short-time, spin such a nice variant off a Chrysler platform, why couldn’t the Chrysler on that platform be re-designed into something nice, rather than just offer a warmed-over update on a dated and dead-end design concept?
BTW, when these Maserati design-cues started appearing here in Europe a few years ago, they immediately reminded me of classic Buicks and I felt sad, that it took an italian car firm to capture what, to me, was the modern spirit and should have been the modern design-language of Buick.
Because the Chrysler was run by midwestern twits whose sense of design and style was based on home depot….
oh, sorry, I keep forgetting we can’t actually say anything true around here.
It’s worked pretty well for Bentley selling Phaeton-based cars. I’m not so sure a Chrysler design could be quite as successful pushed up to that level.
The LY platform? Do you mean the LC platform?
And is a “BMM5” a BMW M5? Regular 5-series?
Squint your eyes and it could be a new 300M.