SUV of Maserati may get Hemi V8 instead of Ferrari V8

Advocates of green livin do not love them but SUVs have been quite popular over the years. Since there is a big demand for this big rides, even car manufacturers that has no production experience is joining the bandwagon. Carmaker Maserati is now looking into competing in the lucrative SUV in the executive segment with its plans of launching their own SUV by 2012.

The CEO of Fiat Chrysler, Sergio Marchionne, shared that the SUV of Maserati will be spawned from the platform of the Grand Cherokee. The new Grand Cherokee actually derived its DNA from the M-Class of Mercedes-Benz. The topman of Fiat-Chrysler also hinted that they may use a Ferrari V8 for the powerplant of the SUV since the car brands are under the same corporate umbrella.

Latest reports about the Maserati SUV though say that the vehicle might not use the V8 from the Italian garage because the Ferrari engine is tuned to go for high revs and not the powerful torque which is required by the SUV.

Marchionne though had it all figured out so Chrysler built a 465 hp 6.4L Hemi which is perfect fit for the platform that will be used plus this choice is a lot cheaper than the Ferrari V8.

When it comes out, it will be unfair to look for the off road grandure of the Cherokee on the Maserati SUV. The Maserati SUV will be geared more towards performance packaged with the plush interior and good on road handling.