2015 XXX All Italian Meet: 4/19

[magnusonsubie]

I don't make sense a lot of time and I know this.

[RyanGT]

I don't make sense a lot of time and I know this.

 

Thanks. Now that explains a lot!

http://s.quickmeme.com/img/de/defd5d9aa9fc6ad2f919bd48fc81dbd19ba753bb0fce3ed4e4e2127e659561a0.jpg

[magnusonsubie]

You put the dohicky next to the thingamabob and then you make power and the car moves. Right?

[MrTris]

HA! Her car was the Ghibli not the Quattroporte. I didn't know they have already released that model. It's the el-cheapo version. I tapped on the chrome exterior door handles and it was plastic. EEEWWWWW!!!! They should have just painted it instead of plasti-chrome it.

 

Big push for those, lately. It'll be a one-run. The masses aren't ready for Masers. (Thank God!)

[RyanGT]

Big push for those, lately. It'll be a one-run. The masses aren't ready for Masers. (Thank God!)

 

You may be right on that the Ghibli will be a one-run. In that segment, it faces stiff competition from the E-class, 5 series and the A6. There's quite a bit of cost-cutting with that car. Size wise, the car is a tad too narrow. Engine wise, it comes with a twin turbo V6 with 2 different hp ratings 354hp and 404 hp. Its competitors all have a v8 engine option. Maserati's V8 is actually a Ferrari-derived engine but that's relegated for duty in the bigger and more expensive Quattroporte. To move more volume out the door, they have to offer attractive leases. Unfortunately attractive leases only work well for cars with good residuals. Ghibli does not have that going for it.

[MrTris]

You may be right on that the Ghibli will be a one-run. In that segment, it faces stiff competition from the E-class, 5 series and the A6. There's quite a bit of cost-cutting with that car. Size wise, the car is a tad too narrow. Engine wise, it comes with a twin turbo V6 with 2 different hp ratings 354hp and 404 hp. Its competitors all have a v8 engine option. Maserati's V8 is actually a Ferrari-derived engine but that's relegated for duty in the bigger and more expensive Quattroporte. To move more volume out the door, they have to offer attractive leases. Unfortunately attractive leases only work well for cars with good residuals. Ghibli does not have that going for it.

 

Exactly. Someone in Marketing got fired for the Ghibli, I'm sure.

[RyanGT]

The Ghibli is not a wrong marketing move per se. It's just that Maserati is a tweener-brand of the Italian cars in the whole FCA group. It's hard to put a successful product out there that's competitive in the market place but not too competitive to step on the sibling brands. In the case of the Ghibli, it can't be too good to step on its bigger brother, the Quattroporte, as well. As it is, the Quattroporte isn't even competitive with the A8, S-class or the 7 series. I think the whole Maserati brand really needs to be revamped.

[MrTris]

The Ghibli is not a wrong marketing move per se. It's just that Maserati is a tweener-brand of the Italian cars in the whole FCA group. It's hard to put a successful product out there that's competitive in the market place but not too competitive to step on the sibling brands. In the case of the Ghibli, it can't be too good to step on its bigger brother, the Quattroporte, as well. As it is, the Quattroporte isn't even competitive with the A8, S-class or the 7 series. I think the whole Maserati brand really needs to be revamped.

 

Quattroporte not as good as A8 or 7-series? How? Down on power? But, Ferrari!

[RyanGT]

No, it's not that the Quattroporte is down on power or charm. It's that it not as relevant as it used to be. Back in the days when the flagship cars of MB, BMW and Audi were simply conservative, staid and comfortable, the Quattroporte was something different...sexy engine, sexy design, and made all the right noises. Today AMG, M, S and RS cars have something sexier in design, engines with vulgar output in terms of hp and exhaust noises that make men weak in their knees. They have CLS, Gran Coupe, A7/S7/RS7 - all with twin-turbos V8s putting out at least 450hp. In that market, Quattroporte is a has-been with a way-past expiration date.

[MrTris]

No, it's not that the Quattroporte is down on power or charm. It's that it not as relevant as it used to be. Back in the days when the flagship cars of MB, BMW and Audi were simply conservative, staid and comfortable, the Quattroporte was something different...sexy engine, sexy design, and made all the right noises. Today AMG, M, S and RS cars have something sexier in design, engines with vulgar output in terms of hp and exhaust noises that make men weak in their knees. They have CLS, Gran Coupe, A7/S7/RS7 - all with twin-turbos V8s putting out at least 450hp. In that market, Quattroporte is a has-been with a way-past expiration date.

 

So they're going to have to step it up to 600+, PLUS better amenities over and above the German marques to justify the excessive pricetag?

[RyanGT]

So they're going to have to step it up to 600+, PLUS better amenities over and above the German marques to justify the excessive pricetag?

 

No! More hp and better electronic gadgets are the low hanging fruit. Maserati is not going to win with more models or more hp against the Germans. Lexus gave up and is happily being relegated to #4 among the top tier brands. Before anyone jump in and say that Lexus is #3, it's only true in the US market. Lexus does not have the depth or the breadth of offerings compared to the Germans. Toyota invested way too much R&D into their hybrid tech. Maserati needs to define their identity in the market place first and then set their focus towards that. They are not going to get far with their current strategy.

[MrTris]

Sad. I really hope to own a Quattroporte one day. Been pining after an '11-ish since they came out.

[Gex]

Too lazy to start a new thread.

 

The All Italian Meet is this Sunday the 17th starting at 8am, I'll probably roll in around 10. Last year there was a La Ferrari there! Come scope out some exotic metal and maybe poke around an LGT or two.

 

[boxkita]

Will be at ridge for spring enduro. post some good pics

[Whatisit]

Ill be there i think too. Ill be down in my Nissan- its in need of a cruise to blow some of the winter cob webs.

[Gex]

I'll be in the parking lot across the street around 10:45 this morning. Weather looks perfect!

[Whatisit]

I'll be in the parking lot across the street around 10:45 this morning. Weather looks perfect!

 

When I arrived this morning there where other cars parked in the lot- I wasn't sure if it was still open to park in so I just parked on the street. What a great day. The weather is perfect

[Gex]

I parked next to an ABP wagon with tan interior and also spotted a SWP wagon leaving while I was sucking down a rootbeer float. Sad I missed your spec B. I remember it being pretty nice! Pretty decent showing of exotica. Was amazing weather, it was good to see that Ferrari Daytona and that FF plus the Alfa Race car! I'll post some pics later.

[Spoonwacker]

ABP was me - I saw my car was surrounded when I left! That P3 Biposto was spectacular :wub: And the FF

[Gex]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Spoonwacker]

http://imgur.com/rSMOX4s.jpg

 

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http://imgur.com/Q5QNQGx.jpg

 

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Monaco GP and Mille Miglia-winning Alfa P3 Biposto:

 

http://imgur.com/NuyPHio.jpg

 

http://imgur.com/axY83Hw.jpg

 

http://imgur.com/jFkz8ta.jpg

 

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http://imgur.com/g8oNGf0.jpg

I heard someone loudly proclaiming that this badge proved the owner was a poser because Ferrari didn't start making cars until the late '40s. He was right about the second part, but Scuderia Ferrari was the official Alfa Romeo racing team long before Enzo decided to make his own cars.