Basic Specs

Base FromTBA
Unveiling Not yet
Availability Late 2013-2014 (Speculative)
Status In Development
Engine 4.7L V8, 3.0L diesel
Body Style SUV/Crossover
Segment Luxury High-Performance Grand Touring Diesel
Size Midsize
By Andrew Ganz
Thursday, Sep 29th, 2011 @ 2:57 am

Maserati is looking to get a piece of the pie currently being dominated by Porsche’s Cayenne, BMW’s X5, Mercedes-Benz’s M and the Lexus RX – and it intends to do so with a crossover that shares a platform with one of those competitors and the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Reprising a name used nearly a decade ago for a concept car, Maserati has introduced its latest model: An SUV based on the same platform used for the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Mercedes-Benz M-Class.

The video released by Maserati talks about the heritage of the Maserati brand, walking you from the past until today – with the introduction of a new path with the Kubang SUV.

(More after video)

The Fiat-owned Italian automaker says that the Kubang will be powered by both a Ferrari/Maserati-sourced 4.7-liter V8 and a 3.0-liter turbodiesel. The V8 should put out at least 450 horsepower, while the diesel offering will crank out more than 300 ponies. Both engines will be mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, the same unit that will be offered in various Chrysler products over the next few years.

This most international crossover will be “100 percent Maserati,” the company says. Designed by Lorenzo Ramaciotti in Italy, the Kubang shares little more than a vague windshield angle profile with its Jeep cousin. Where the Jeep and Mercedes-Benz feature more upright D-pillars, the Maserati goes in a direction more like the Infiniti FX.

From the front, the Kubang is aggressive with a pronounced Maserati grille and bright, wide headlamps that run across much of the fascia. Underneath its body, the Kubang features a Maserati-developed suspension and brake system that the company says will give it top-notch on-road performance befitting the legendary brand’s trident logo.

Look for more details about the Kubang to creep out of Italy over the next few months.

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