In a conference call today with Chrysler / Fiat Sergio Marchionne re: Q3 earnings, Sergio decided to talk some product. Namely, the platform that underpins the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Saying the "architecture has legs and should be extended as much as possible."
We agree. Good decision building the Dodge Durango on it. Case closed!
"I envision using architecture for benefit of Alfa Romeo and Maserati. The possibility of using Ferrari powertrains to the architecture is real." Wait...what....Ferrari? "The platform is capable of handling much more powerful powertrains." he continued.
But Sergio wasn't done...
"This is a unique opportunity to use all work gone on inside Chrysler and extend to areas the architecture was never intended." A Ferrari-powered, Fiat-badged Jeep? How WASN'T that intended?
Please, then, say this is all theoretical? "We're in the first steps of that, but the indications are positive." Damn.
At least they won't be SUV's, right? Who wants an Alfa SUV? "we're not turning a toaster into an oven" he concluded, confirming that whatever half-breed is spawned here, would certainly be a Sport Utility Vehicle. Most likely with emphasis on the S.
seppoboy says:
12:18 PM, 11/ 8/10
OK, a Porsche Cayenne competitor consisting of a Mercedes-Benz based Jeep with Ferrari power, branded as a Ferrari? Or more likely a Maserati or Alfa (or both)? The head spins
stoppre75 says:
12:22 PM, 11/ 8/10
Yes, a Mercedes-Benz platformed, Jeep based, ferrari powered Maserati named Cayenne competitor.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it.
albook says:
02:00 PM, 11/ 8/10
Yeah, lol a German engineered Maserati. But really, I see no reason why it couldn't be a solid Cayenne competitor. The ML is surely a nicer platform than the Toureg's. But the "Ferrari" powered enginge would be expensive....
lostboyz says:
04:39 AM, 11/ 9/10
Next years SRT8 JGC will be a cayenne competitor for half the price. So obivously theres room to throw a higher tier brand image on it so people will pay more.
Don't know why everyone thinks this platform was only engineered by mercedes. The JGC was the original unit-body SUV. Mercedes also stole the next gen viper with the SLS, not to mention the entire pension fund from old chrysler. I can see how people forget these things.
stoppre75 says:
07:25 AM, 11/ 9/10
They also stole the 6.1L hemi and turned it into a bratwurst eating beast.
On a down note, they stole the hideous front grille from dodge too...
greenpony says:
10:26 AM, 11/ 9/10
Cool. I was going to build a Honda-powered pickup truck on a Miata chassis and brand it a Kawasaki, but this is almost as good.
csubowtie says:
11:44 AM, 11/ 9/10
So the next Cherokee SRT-8 commercial will go somehting like this?
Guy in an old Dodge pulls up next to it at the light
-"Hey, that thing got a HEMI!?"
-"No, sir, it has a 4.8 Liter V8 by Ferrari. It also has a Manentino Farina Modena switch here on the steering wheel that affects the proportionality of the transfer ratio in the center differenctial and ...."
-"ZZZZZZZZZZZZZ"
threemopars says:
03:15 PM, 11/ 9/10
This platform was designed by Jeep and will be used by MB for the 2012 M Class, why people continually get it wrong is beyond me.
sugarlandtx says:
11:33 AM, 11/10/10
Sounds like a winner to me. Who would not like to open the hood of their Crossover/SUV and see Ferrari on the valve covers? Build it with sexy bodywork and some impressive performance stats and a good price (high but not too high) and it will sell well.