Maserati is planning to exploit its relationship with Ferrari once again and follow the proven route it took with the MC12 (pictured) by knocking-off the new LaFerrari hypercar.
While there will be 499 LaFerraris made Maserati plans to up the exclusivity factor and build just 50 of its clones, same as the MC12. However they won’t be a straight rip-off of the Ferrari, especially in the drivetrain department.
Maserati isn’t interested in any of the fancy hybrid HY-KERS rubbish, it’s said they will choose from these two options: a detuned version of the 6.3 litre V12 from the LaFerrari or they may raid their own parts bin and use the 3.8 litre V8 from the Quattroporte, adding to its performance by bolting on four turbos instead of two. Yes, four.
But there’s a catch. There’s always a catch. Because the LaMaserati (that’s a working title only) won’t have the HY-KERS bits it will be slower than the LaFerrari. All-up the LaFerrari produces 708kW and Maranello will ensure the LaMaserati won’t be allowed to better that.
Adding to LaMaserati’s on paper weaknesses will be its price. Maserati hopes to charge around the same as the LaFerrari (around €1m plus taxes) for its slower supercar, hoping the exclusiveness will be enough to lure those who missed out on getting a LaFerrari.
On the plus side the lack of HY-KERS should make it a bit lighter than the Ferrari.
[Source: Car]