FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW: Maserati Kubang

Maserati's first-time challenge to the likes of Porsche Cayenne, Mercedes-Benz ML and Co was unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show this week, and it's called Kubang.

Maserati believes no current SUV manufacturer delivers on the "uplifting driving pleasure and luxury atmosphere that are two givens of today's high-end sports and luxury cars and has introduced the Kubang to redress the balance".

The photos show a decidedly rounded shape with a sloping rear deck that is reminiscent of BMW's X6 Sports Activity Coupe. There's even a bit of Audi Q7, although the nose, with its trident insignia, is unmistakably Maserati.

The Frankfurt launch unfortunately provided very few details of the new car pertaining to engine, driveline, weight or dimensions, but we'll continue with the assumption it will adopt a Maserati V8 engine, probably the 4.7-litre unit seen in the Quattroporte, and it is roughly Porsche Cayenne in size. Maserati did confirm the Kubang will drive through an eight-speed AT automatic transmission.

The Italian marque also confirmed the Kubang will owe a lot to sister brand Jeep. In fact the vehicle will be built on a versions of the same platform that underpins the new Grand Cherokee and Mercedes-Benz's latest ML-Class models. The Ferarri-affiliate has stressed, however, that the vehicle will be unmistakably Maserati in its "style, engine, brakes, handling and performance."

Designed at Maserati's Style Center in Italy headed by Lorenzo Ramaciotti, the Kubang will get its own proprietary engine designed in Modena by Paolo Martinelli, who heads up Powertrain Development and was once engine chief for the Ferrari Formula One team. The engines will be produced in Maranello by Ferrari.

Suspension, brakes and steering will be developed at Maserati's Product Development Department.

The name Kubang first appeared on the low-slung, Giugiaro-designed 4.2-litre V8 powered Maserati SUV concept aired at the 2003 Detroit motor show.

Footnote: Last week we published an image of what we believed was a Kubang supposedly acquired surreptitiously pre-Frankfurt from a motor show guide. Comparing the photos of the actual car supplied by Maserati and last week's image, it is clear there are few connections other than a generic similarity. Digital manipulation is a wonderful thing . . .

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site.