30.11.2003 LUCA DI MONTEZEMOLO REVEALS FULL EXTENT OF AUDI INPUT INTO THE MASERATI KUBANG PROJECT

Ferrari-Maserati Group boss Luca di Montezemolo has recently revealed the full extent of Audi's involvement in the development and production of the forthcoming Kubang GT Wagon SUV.

Maserati's first off sports roader will use a powerful high displacement diesel, possibly from the Audi stable, an aluminium space frame chassis built in Germany by Audi as well as incorporating their new 'intelligent' four wheel drive technology to reduce costs and ensure the profitability of the project. With Ferrari's re-launch of the Maserati brand taking longer and costing more than originally envisioned and break-even being put back to 2006, Audi's input into the Kubang is seen as vital in making production of a fourth product realistic.

The only real suprise news revealed by di Montezemolo was that they are evaluating having its chassis constructed out of aluminium and built at the Audi Aluminium plant at Neckarsulm, which current builds chassis for their A2, A8 and the Lamborghini Gallardo. The aluminium route offers significant weight saving, Maserati has calculated that GT Wagon using the Quattroporte's steel M139 chassis and a steel body will weigh 2240kg while the would drop to around 1990-2040kg by using an aluminium spaceframe and body.

Maserati have considered VW's high performance high displacement diesel engine, the 5.0-litre V10 TDi unit, which pushes out a maximum 313bhp, gearbox and engine management electronics. Maserati are now currently evaluating two front running options for the 2006 GT Wagon. Both are 4.0-litre V8 units incorporating commonrail technology. The first is the well known Audi 4.0-litre V8TDi while the second the VM motori 4.0-litre V8 Multijet currently being custom developed for Alfa Romeo's flagships models. Both have been tuned up by Maserati tecnicians in order to exceed 5000rpm and have an output of 90-100bhp/litre.

The final engine solution will be mated to Audi's new 'intelligent' 4wd transmission designed for Crossover cars such as Audi's 2006 Pikes Peak SUV. Maserati will use a personalized version of the Pikes Peak transmission which will be more highly road focused offering major torque through the rear axle.

As Maserati continue with a rapid expansion program, the Kubang GT Wagon and other models will be marketed through Audi dealers worldwide, offering instantly massive new dealer exposure, while taking also advantage of Audi's financial services, fleet and leasing facilities. Audi's strength in the leasing area is seen as vital with segment competitors such as BMW, Jaguar, Mercedes and Porsche leasing around 80% of worldwide sales.

The two way technical co-operation may see VW and Audi incorporating the Quattroporte's M139 platform into their line-ups. Their engineers are said to be highly impressed by Maserati's new super luxury saloon which made its debut at September's Frankfurt Motor Show, particularly in the area of handling.

However the Maserati M139 floorpan is a very expensive steel floorpan ideal for cars that use a steel monocoque chassis. The Maserati floorpan was evaluated for the next VW "C1" but VW have decided that is too expensive an option to use in a car like C1 and have made the final decision to not use the M139. Audi at present will not use the Maserati floorpan as top end Audis will continue to use spaceframe aluminium structures that can't be combined with a steel floorpan like M139. The Quattroporte chassis does however offer a solution to high performance niche VW Group models such as the Bentley Continental GT or Arnage.

With VW and Audi now incorporating a number of low volume brands, including Lamborghini, Bentley and Bugatti, the German marque can tap into Ferrari knowledge and resources in the area of specialist sportscar production.