Did Maserati actually do it right?? (future, new models)

I have not heard about a new Ghibli. Photos, anyone?

 

I agree with your positive take on Maserati trying to sell more units, on the Maserati forum, they seem to be quite down on these new models. I love it and hope the smaller QP or dare I say the SUV will be in my near future as a daily driver.

 

Before the new QPVI is not really tested and shows its (build-) qualities, I would say +2!

The Levante? -5 as it comes too late and has to compete against many other (luxury-) manufacturers. And : does Maserati really need a SUV? No, (IMO) so -5

The new "Ghibli": Maserati does not need it and this sort of car would have been better to become a Lancia (but Signore Macchione in his endless wisedom decided to kill this great manufacturer!). So -5

And why Maserati has no entry model, the sort of car CEO Wester was talking about?? So --6!

 

That's what I like about you, Walter. You always look at the bright side!

 

At least he didn't include his evaluation rating for Citroen or Biturbo cars in that equation ...

 

Yes - because I am living on tthe bright side of life!!..

 

Marriage has been good for you, Walter.

The thread is still open.

 

well, how about a little history lesson?

Remember De Tomaso? He wanted to create an affordable usable super car for the masses, called the biturbo (which evolved into the Ghibli II)?

Isn't history repeating itself? Now Maserati is building twin-turbo cars for the E-segment and re-using the Ghibli name?

For whom the bell tolls...

 

Yes, how about a little History lesson. Why was the Biturbo created?

The first thing to remember is the time frame. Mid 1970s, world wide oil crisis, social upheaval, Red Brigade terrorists kidnappings throughout Italy (Remember Aldo Moro?), the Communist Party (Based in the Modena/Bologna area) was at the height of its power in Italy. The bottom had fallen out of the Exotic car market. Lamborghini was bankrupt, Iso Rivolta had shut its doors as had all the other very small manufacturers, the only thing that was keeping Ferrari alive was money from FIAT. Citroen had placed Maserati into receivership.

DeTomaso strikes a deal with GEPI (Italian Government) to purchase Maserati for what amounted to a few Lira with the provision that Maserati would produce higher volume vehicles and increase employment. While a few manufacturers were already producing turbo charged cars (Porsche), the Formula 1 cars of that era featured twin turbos. DeTomaso experimented with versions of both on the Merak.

Thus was born the Biturbo by Government mandate. Unfortunately Maserati had neither the funding, nor the access to technology at the time to keep pace with ever more stringent emissions and safety regulations. (They also lost the legendary engineer Alfieri, who in a typical Italian drama went on to refine the engine designs at Lamborghini after being DeTomaso).

The DeTomaso era of Maserati must be viewed in context. I spoke with DeTomaso a number of times, as well as many people that worked closely with him. Nothing sums it up better than what Piero Rivolta once told me, "DeTomaso was a Son of B!+@^, but I liked him!"

 

Very well said.

May I add that when Maserati was testing turbo technologies, they created an engine with a single large turbo and anotherone with two smaller turbos.

I think it has already been mentioned before, but just in case:

The first was the "monoturbo", but the turbo-delay was really bad and thus the project was canned in favor of the two smaller turbos, named "biturbo", which later on was the name of the new model which we know as the Biturbo.

The Merak Turbo test car can be seen in the Panini museum. I think some people have posted photos of the car in the Merak thread.

 

To me, the new QP is a step back styling-wise. The original is so much better looking. I'm sure the new car is much better technically but for looks..... eh.

 

+1.

I find it garish and not subtly classical.

 

So what you're trying to say in a very detailed and long winded way is that Maserati and De Tomaso were just the victims of a commie plot!

At least the Biturbo era cars and QPIII were a lot more interesting and fun than a Chevy Volt ...

 

You calling the Biturbo a "super car" speaks volumes.