Fiat Chrysler
Automobiles has revealed its 2018 Full Year Results (PDF) and the company’s
presentation was littered with details about future products. A lot of
attention was focused on the Maserati which saw its global sales fall by 28
percent last year. In order to reverse this trend, the company will focus their
marketing efforts on promoting the Levante crossover instead of sedans like the
Ghibli and Quattroporte. Furthermore, Maserati will now be managed as a “luxury
brand” rather than a premium brand like Alfa Romeo.
On the product
side, FCA revealed Maserati will bridge product gaps with “specialty models.”
The company didn’t elaborate, but noted they will leverage investments in the
Giorgio architecture for future models. The Giorgio platform already underpins
an assortment of different vehicles including the Alfa Romeo Giulia and
Stelvio. It will likely be used on the Maserati’s mid-size crossover which was
announced during last year’s Capital Markets Day presentation. At the time,
Maserati hinted the upcoming crossover will slot beneath the Levante and
feature a plug-in hybrid option, a 50/50 weight distribution and a
best-in-class power-to-weight ratio.
Maserati also
confirmed plans for an all-new Levante and Quattroporte. Both models will ride
on a modular platform, have a 50/50 weight distribution as well as plug-in
hybrid and battery electric powertrains. The company is also slated to launch a
production version of the Alfieri concept. That particular model will ride on
an aluminum spaceframe platform and be offered as a coupe and convertible.
Maserati also noted there will be plug-in hybrid as well as battery electric
powertrains. These will enable the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in approximately two seconds, before hitting a top speed in excess of 300 km/h.
Getting back to
today’s presentation, FCA confirmed the Jeep Wrangler plug-in hybrid is on
track to be launched in early 2020. Unfortunately, this will effect production
of the standard Wrangler as there will be some planned downtime at the Toledo
plant to retool the facility to build the Wrangler PHEV. Speaking of Jeep, it
and Alfa Romeo will become the focus of FCA in Europe. The company will also
look to support its European operations by exploring partnerships with rival
automakers about shared platforms and technologies.
In related news,
Reuters reported FCA will increase spending to help to fund the redesigned Jeep
Grand Cherokee and Jeep Grand Wagoneer. The publication also said FCA CEO Mike
Manley revealed the automaker hasn’t decided whether or not to approve a
mid-size Ram pickup to battle the likes of the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger
and Toyota Tacoma.