For better or for worse, the 64th International Auto Show in Frankfurt hosted the world premiere of Maserati's second effort in the luxury SUV segment, the almost production ready Kubang.
For those of you wondering about the Italian firm's first stab at the popular category, that was the Kubang concept designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and introduced at the 2003 Detroit Auto Show, never to be heard or seen after up until now.
Designed to directly challenge the Porsche Cayenne, the slick but somewhat less impressively styled than what we were hoping for, Italian SUV, is loosely based on the same platform that underpins the new Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango, as well as the latest Mercedes-Benz ML-Class.
Maserati did not disclose specific details, but the Italians said that the "the essence and all major system components" such as the "style, engine, suspensions, brakes, handling and performance" will all be "100% Maserati".
The Modena-based automaker, which belongs to the Fiat Group, added that the Kubang will be offered with a new generation of "high-tech Maserati propriety engines" designed in house by Paolo Martinelli, Head of the Maserati Powertrain Department and for nearly 30 years at Ferrari, and will be produced in Maranello by Ferrari.
"An AT 8 speed automatic transmission and specific performance settings such as suspensions, brakes, steering will be exclusively developed in Modena for the Maserati sport luxury SUV by the Maserati Product Development Department," the company added in a statement.
We expect to hear more detailed information on the Kubang's hardware as well as Maserati's production plans in the forthcoming weeks.
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