Could the Porsche Cayenne finally have a serious rival when it comes to delivering on- an off-road performance, as well as stunning looks and serious luxury? Perhaps.
According to Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, the company is exploring the possibility of building Alfa Romeo and Maserati SUVs based on the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee platform. Marchionne made the comments today on the topic of Chrysler’s third-quarter profits, commenting that the chassis is capable of handling more horsepower. And while it’s expected that Jeep will bring to market an SRT8 version with a 470-hp V8, Marchionne also commented that an Italian-branded SUV could use one of the Ferrari/Maserati engines, including the 4.2-liter V8 and 4.7-liter V8.
While Fiat’s plan for Alfa Romeo includes two all-wheel drive crossovers, this new model could be in addition to them. Currently no Maserati SUV is in the works, but Marchionne has said either model could be brought to market in as little as 12 to 18 months, being built at Chrysler’s Jefferson North facility in Detroit.
