Maserati chose the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show to unveil their latest model, the Kubang. The Maserati Kubang is a luxury SUV which is based on a Jeep platform. The Kubang’s styling previews a look which will propagate across the brand’s other models in the near future.
The Kubang is named after a concept which Maserati developed back in 2003. That too was an SUV, but it never got past the prototype stage due to all the issues and costs of developing an entirely new vehicle. But now, thanks to Maserati’s Jeep connections (through Fiat and Chrysler’s tie-up), the Grand Cherokee’s platform is available, meaning the Italians don’t have to engineer the car from scratch. The Kubang’s engine, 8-speed automatic transmission, suspension, brakes and steering will all be engineered by the Maserati Product Development Department. While the bodywork was created by the Maserati Style Center in Modena.
If anything the Kuban’s styling is a little underwhelming. It’s can’t touch the Quattroporte for grace (although not much can), and it doesn’t have the excitement of a GranTurismo MC Stradale about it. All-in-all it looks like almost any other generic SUV on the market. It’s not ugly specifically, but its also not got anything unique or eye-catching about it.
So far there aren’t many engineering details on the Kubang. However Maserati have stated that the vehicle will receive a new-generation, high-tech engine designed in Modena by Paolo Martinelli - Head of the Maserati Powertrain Department and for nearly 30 years at Ferrari, where he also served as engine chief of the Formula One racing team. So it should sound a lot more exciting than it looks!
Source: Maserati
The design is impressive, but not with the name though.
If it were to be marketed in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei, they would have to change the name.
Kubang means the muddy hole where water buffalo usually have their ‘picnic’
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Flickr_-_Rainbirder_-_Water_Buffalo.jpg
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