First mid-size Maserati SUV here next year

Maserati will expand its SUV range with an all-new crossover that will slot in underneath the large Levante – and it will be a global vehicle, which is good news for Australians.

The Maserati Levante SUV has been a resounding success for the brand and is its top-selling vehicle in Australia. But a smaller and cheaper new SUV, which currently doesn't have a name, will bring even more new customers into the Trident fold.

Propelled by a range of high-performance engines and a plug-in hybrid powertrain, our sources indicate the new mid-size luxury SUV could arrive much earlier than expected in Australia -- by the end of 2019.

This makes sense, because we understand the global launch of the new Maserati SUV – a direct rival for the likes of the Porsche Macan, BMW X4, Mercedes-Benz GLC Coupe and upcoming Audi Q4 – will occur in the first quarter of next year.

With sticker prices to dip below the Levante's starting price of around $140,000 to well uner $100K, the new Italian SUV was officially confirmed by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) CEO, Sergio Marchionne, in his recently-released five-year business plan on Friday.

FCA revealed a swag of impending vehicle launching between now and 2022 across FCA international brands, including Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Maserati and, soon, RAM.

Designed to offer sporting dynamics thanks to 50/50 front/rear weight distribution, Maserati says its new SUV will deliver a class-leading power-to-weight ratio.

As such, expect a range of whip-cracking engines -- potentially including a version of the compelling 375kW twin-turbo V6 from the ABDC-winning Alfa Romeo Giulia QV.

That’s because Maserati's new medium SUV will share its Giorgio platform with the Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan and upcoming Stelvio SUV.

At the same time, FCA has revealed it plans to produce smaller and larger Alfa Romeo SUVs, the latter based on the same platform as Maserati’s Levante, which along with the large Ghibli sedan and Quattroporte limousine will also be renewed by 2022.

Our sources indicate both new Alfa SUVs are going to happen sooner than expected too.

Maserati won’t stop there though, with two new flagship sports cars – a coupe and a convertible that take their name and design cues from the stunning 2014 Alfieri concept -- also confirmed during the FCA investor briefing.

Like the new SUV, our sources confirm Maserati’s new flagship sports cars – which will replace the GranTurismo and GranCabrio -- will be global models and sold in Australia.

Based around a brand-new aluminium spaceframe, the Maserati Alfieri will be the most advanced sports car the brand has ever built, thanks to active aerodynamics, plug-in hybrid boosting tech and Q4 all-wheel drive with full active torque vectoring.

Maserati promises the result will be a 300km/h top speed and a 0-100km/h sprint time of around two seconds.

Like the new Quattroporte and Levante, the Alfieri twins will also be available in all-electric zero-emissions form comprising a three-motor AWD system and 800V battery, says FCA.

The bad news is timing is not clear for the Alfieri. But given the all-new platform and EV technologies that will underpin it, the Alfieri’s arrival could push closer to the end of FCA’s new five-year business plan in 2022.

However, in late 2016 Maserati promised its would put a battery-powered version of the two-seat Alfieri into production by 2020, following its global launch next year with a twin-turbo V6 powertrain.

In addition to the four battery-powered EVs, Maserati has now promised to deliver eight PHEVs spanning its entire range within five years, as part of its move away from diesel.

The arrival of the new Maserati medium SUV and replacements for the Levante, Ghibli, Quattroporte, GranTurismo and GranCabrio is expected to generate 100,000 vehicle sales annually by 2022.

Maserati sold 740 new vehicles in Australia last year – up more than 50 per cent on 2017 – and sales remain at the same level so far this year.

It has seven dealerships in Australia, with another two in New Zealand, and is about to open two more showrooms – one on the Gold Coast, one in Canberra.