What is it?
The Maserati Kubang is the Italian manufacturer's answer to the highly successful Porsche Cayenne. The Cayenne has allowed Porsche to diversify its line-up and bring in extra revenue. Maserati hopes its first ever SUV will do the same. It's based on the Feep Grand Cherokee's platform.
Why's it here?
Maserati's first move into the segment dominated by the Cayenne, BMW's X5 and Range Rover is big news and shows again that manufacturers that would normally be associated with sports cars can not stand by and let the competition gain an advantage in this lucrative segment. The name, taken from a Javan wind apparently, might be a bit dull but the Kubang is an important car for Maserati.
Show stopper or floor filler?
A Maserati SUV is as likely to attract as much attention as Jennifer Lopez walking through the Frankfurt Motor Show sans clothing. The 4.7-litre V8 powered Kubang is definitely in show stopper territory.
Frankfurt Motor Show
Paul Healy - 14 Sep 2011
