Quattro, Cinque: Maserati Registers Possible New Name For Upcoming SUV

Uno, due, tre, quattro, cinque – that’s counting up to five in Italian. Most have some familiarity with those numbers spoken in Italian, given their commonality with other languages like Spanish. Maserati has always pushed the envelope in the exotic industry, being the first to produce a four-door sedan. Aston Martin has dabbled with four-door sedans throughout the years, introducing the Rapide a few years ago.

Most enthusiasts know that the Quattroporte’s name quite simply means four-door. Italian website AlVolante.itreports that Maserati has registered the name “Cinqueporte” in Italy. Given the new SUV’s five-door lift gate, that makes sense. It has cachet, and fits in with the rest of the lineup. Will that be the name used on the new SUV though? No one knows for sure.

The upcoming Jeep Grand Cherokee-based (purists gasp!) SUV was previewed Frankfurt Auto Show under the Kubang Concept banner, a reprise of the Kubang SUV Concept from 2003. Clearly Maserati likes the name. Italian website AlVolante.it reports that Maserati executives told them the Kubang name hasn’t been decided upon however.

The new SUV is going to be powered by a new generation of engines developed in Modena, Italy and produced by none other than Ferrari. The project is being led by Paolo Martinelli, the Head of Powertrain at Maserati. Before his stint at Maserati, Martinelli served as engine development chief for Ferrari’s Formula One racing team. The Fiat Group has big plans for Maserati, planning to push global sales up to the 50,000 a year mark. For a brand focused on sports cars and selling just over 5,000 vehicles globally last year, that will take a much-expanded lineup.

Another model slated to arrive along with the SUV is a new sedan under the Quattroporte. We’re wondering where Maserati will decided to price and position the new SUV. Head-to-head with the Porsche Cayenne, or starting more at the top end around $95-$115,000. It all depends how much volume Maserati needs to get out of it. Just watch though; we have a hunch it will quickly become the best-selling Maserati in the U.S.

Filed Under: Car News • Maserati