A Maserati SUV like this Kubang concept being shown at the Frankfurt auto show isn't a new idea. Back in 2003, the Italian company brought the first Kubang to the Detroit show. (Yes, the second concept retains the onomatopoeic moniker of the first.) As the company says, “At a time in which few other brands were going in the direction of a sport luxury SUV, Maserati was already thinking to build one.” The Italians thought long and hard; during the intervening years, the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, BMW X5 and X6 M, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, and a number of Mercedes-Benz AMG SUVs came into existence.
Now, after nearly nine years, Maserati is indicating that it is again thinking about joining the overfed segment. As part of the Fiat group, Maserati is now linked to Chrysler and Jeep, which gives the Italian company easy access to an SUV architecture—the Jeep Grand Cherokee's platform, which is actually the new Mercedes-Benz M-class’s platform. While Maserati is upfront about the Kubang’s Jeep roots, the company also promises that its SUV will be pure Maserati when it comes to the engine, transmission, suspension, brakes, and overall feel.
The Kubang will be powered by a revised version of the Maserati’s current V-8, and an eight-speed automatic is promised. Maserati shared very few details of the eventual production Kubang, but we do know it will appear in 2013. We’re already excited at the thought of an Italian performance SUV. Could one from Ferrari be next?
Tony Quiroga is a 20-year-veteran Car and Driver editor, writer, and car reviewer and the 19th editor-in-chief for the magazine since its founding in 1955. He has subscribed to Car and Driver since age six. "Growing up, I read every issue of Car and Driver cover to cover, sometimes three or more times. It's the place I wanted to work since I could read," Quiroga says. He moved from Automobile Magazine to an associate editor position at Car and Driver in 2004. Over the years, he has held nearly every editorial position in print and digital, edited several special issues, and also helped produce C/D's early YouTube efforts. He is also the longest-tenured test driver for Lightning Lap, having lapped Virginia International Raceway's Grand Course more than 2000 times over 12 years.
