Speculation has come about that Maserati’s upcoming 5 Series and XF rival, said to be set for debut at next year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, is likely to take the Chrysler 300 (pictured) rear-wheel-drive platform as its base.
Rumoured to be named Levante, the entry-level sedan will slot below the upmarket Quattroporte – itself to be pushed even further upmarket. Further reports suggest that Chrysler’s 3.6 litre Pentastar V6 will be among the powerplant choices, and that the new car will have a front end akin to the Kubang SUV’s.
In the late 1980s, Maserati and Chrysler collaborated on a grand tourer which was unusually named ‘Chrysler’s TC by Maserati.’ Just 7,300 were produced over a three-year run.
Chrysler’s 300 is sold as the Lancia Thema in European markets save for the UK, where it keeps its maiden name. The all-new Quattroporte is said to be surfacing late this year, so inevitably, more details are to come. As always, we’ll keep you posted.
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the 300 platform is actually the old Mercedes E-class platform given to chrysler during the daimlerchrysler happy days…
So there will be a Maserati based on a mercedes platform??
that is on the old 300, not this new 300.
There will be an all new 300 for 2014.
this is example of how a bigger global company, with tons of platform and technologied, can assist a small niche player it took over…what can Proton offer Lotus?? Campro engines??Wira platforms??
It seems to be a good idea for Maserati to have a contender in this segment.The “poor man’s Ferrari” unofficial term will sure be able to sell the car.And Kubang’s front end is nice.Heck,the Quattroporte should use that front end (Quattroporte is such a good car but the looks is a little undesirable).
However,I don’t think it’s wise to use the 3.6 Pentastar engine.Maserati should use something different.Or perhaps the 3.6 Pentastar in a higher tune would be ok for a base model while the GranTurismo’s 4.7(or just the 4.2) engine would be perfect for a M5/E63 AMG/IS-F/RS4 contender.
Its not going to be LX platform based (which the current 300 rides on). Word is that they are designing an all new platform for all their RWD cars. From Dodge / Alfa / Chrysler / Maserati as a whole to save money. This will be used on the 300/charger for 2016, but the first version will probably the Levante and Quattroporte