MASERATI NEW SUV AIMS TO EMULATE PORSCHE CAYENNE’S SUCCESS MASERATI will debut a concept that hints at its Jeep Grand Cherokee-based SUV expected to go on sale in 2013. The Maserati variant features specific body panels and a new interior. Adding an SUV to the luxury sports car brand is part of Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne’s plans to boost Maserati’s annual sales almost tenfold to 50,000 units from 5,675 last year. The SUV likely will be powered by Maserati’s 4.7-liter V-8 unit capable of about 450 hp, coupled with ZF’s eight-speed automatic transmission. Possibly only for Europe, the SUV could also get a diesel variant using VM Motori’s 3.0-liter V-6, with power increased to over 300 hp from the 241 hp the engine currently delivers on the Grand Cherokee exported to Europe. Maserati declined to give a price target for the SUV, but in Europe it would cost considerably more than the Grand Cherokee 5.7-liter V-8 Overland that in Italy starts at 63,800 euros. The SUV will be built alongside the Grand Cherokee in Chrysler Group’s Jefferson North plant in Detroit. IAA 2011 POCKET GUIDE 49