In an interview with CNN Money, Maserati CEO Harald Wester stated that the automaker's upcoming Levante SUV will not be based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Wester continued, adding that taking Maserati any further downmarket in pursuit of sales is not in the cards, driving the sentiment home by saying "over my dead body."
Although most considered it a forgone conclusion that the Levante would be based on the same platform as the Grand Cherokee, Maser's SUV has been the subject of speculation and conjecture ever since it made its debut as the Kubang concept more than two years ago. As both Jeep and Maserati are owned by the newly christened Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, it made sense for the niche manufacturer to utilize the Grand Cherokee's proven and rugged chassis as the basis for its SUV.
The latest bit of information regarding the Levante comes from Motor Trend, who claims to have been told by a Maserati engineer that the SUV would instead be based on the architecture that underpins the new Quattroporte and Ghibli sedans. According to Motor Trend, the platform switch will allow Maserati to equip the Levante with its new Q4 all-wheel-drive system.
- First Drive: 2014 Maserati Ghibli S Q4
- First Drive Review: 2014 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4
- Diesel SUV Comparo: Grand Cherokee vs. Touareg, ML-class, Cayenne, X5
Maserati told Car and Driver that it hasn't "made any official announcements yet," but welcomed us to pose the question to the brand's brass at the Geneva auto show next week. You can bet we'll be first in line.
from Car and Driver Blog http://ift.tt/nSHy27
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