Maserati To Introduce New D-Segment UV Next Year:

Whether you like it or not, Maserati is a big part of the Mopar culture today. While it is the premium brand for the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) lineup, its vehicle lineup shares a lot of components and future technology with Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, and Ram vehicles. One of its future vehicles could underpin several upcoming new FCA vehicles, as well as play a major key role in the Maserati brand’s future.

During the last product plan update for the Maserati brand, the premium Italian brand confirmed their all-new D-segment UV, will start production in the 2021 calendar year. According to our sources, it will be built at the Cassino Assembly Plant in Piedimonte San Germano, Italy, which is currently the home to the award-winning Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio.

While it will share a lot of underpinnings with the Stelvio, it will be the first Maserati product to be based on the Giorgio-architecture. If you are not familiar, the Giorgio architecture will underpin most of the FCA’s unibody rear-wheel-drive platform, including the upcoming 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The Maserati version will be electrified to go along with the brand’s new electrification stance. The new Maserati D-UV will feature a new rear-suspension setup for the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and battery-electric powertrains.

The new Maserati D-UV will be aimed more at the Chinese-market than its Alfa Romeo platform-mate, due to the fact it will have a longer wheelbase than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. We can confirm that the Maserati D-UV will have around a 10cm (or 4-inch) longer wheelbase, with a total length of around 4.80-meters (or about 189-inches). The additional rear legroom will be something which will not only be appreciated by the Chinese-market, but also the North American-market as well.

Our sources are indicating that the base engine for the Maserati D-UV will be the same as the recently announced Maserati Ghibli Hybrid, a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four-cylinder from the FCA Global Medium Engine (GME) family. Power should be identical with  330 horsepower and torque of 450 Nm (332 ft.-lb) delivered from just 1,500 rpm. The 2.0-liter engine will be paired with a 48-volt belt starter generator and an additional electric supercharger (e-Booster), supported by a battery, similar to the eTorque system found on the Ram 1500.

In addition to the belt starter generator, there will be a full plug-in hybrid version utilizing the GME-T4 engine as well. This one is rumored to be in excess of 400 horsepower when the internal combustion engine and electric motor output are combined.

Our sources are also stating that the all-new Maserati Nettuno 3.0-liter V6 engine, might be offered in a high-performance version. The new pinnacle engine offering utilizes Formula 1 derived pre-chamber technology. In a high-performance model is should produce around 630 horsepower and will be most likely mated to a new 4th generation ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission with a built-in electric motor.

In terms of technology, the Maserati D-UV will be the vehicle to bring Level III automated driving to the Maserati lineup. As exciting as that may be, it will also be the first Maserati to feature a so-called virtual cockpit. The virtual cockpit will feature a fully digital 12.4-inch customizable screen, which will be able to show a navigation map on it. In addition, there will also be a 12.3-inch wide format infotainment screen in landscape orientation. It will also feature HVAC controls to be operated by the additional third screen, something we are hearing will be coming to the upcoming 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer as well.