13 Feb 03
The Italian manufacturer Maserati, known for producing such sleek models as the Coupe and Spyder, is planning to enter the lucrative sports utility market with a production version of this Kubang GT Wagon. Though billed as a concept car at Detroit, the Kubang will reach production in the near future to go head-to-head with Porsche's new Cayenne, BMW's X5 and very possibly an Audi SUV too.
The Kubang is the creation of Giorgetto Giugiaro, one of the world's most respected and prolific car designers. He has dozens of designs to his name, including the original VW Golf and Scirocco, the Fiat Panda, Uno and Punto and the Maserati 3200 GT. Speaking at Detroit, he had this to say of his design: 'I decided that there was still something that could be done with the SUV concept. To me, they look more like off-roaders that have gradually been 'civilised' rather than real automobiles... I decided to do something that really pushed the envelope that would make the GT Wagon perfect for sporty, dynamic modern drivers.'
Named after a wind, like many Maseratis from the past, Kubang is a moist, warm wind blowing from the sea in Java, although perhaps Maserati Elephanta (an Indian gale) might have been more fitting since it's nearly five-metres long, two-metres wide and over one and a half metres tall.
Powered by the same 390bhp normally aspirated V8 engine found in the Coupe and Spyder, the Kubang features constant four-wheel drive through a six-speed automatic gearbox. The centre of gravity is some 100mm lower than other SUVs on the market, and this should make the Kubang a sportier drive than most SUVs. It can hustle to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and on to a claimed top speed of 158.5mph. It is not likely to be as accomplished off-road as the Porsche Cayenne, however. The Kubang is likely to be based on a modified Quattroporte, this new Maserati saloon planned for launch in Frankfurt this September.
Maserati sees the Kubang as a 4x4 grand tourer rather a glorified off-roader, and it will seat four or five passengers depending on the chosen seating arrangement. An extra two rear-facing seats can be added behind the back row enabling it to carry seven in comfort. The rear seats can be folded down to increase the boot capacity from a standard 600 litres to 1500 litres.
Ferrari and Maserati boss Luca di Montezemolo has given the Kubang concept the unofficial green light, which means the dramatically styled four-wheel-drive estate should hit showrooms in 2005.
