Leaked pictures confirm Maserati SUV debut at Frankfurt

(AFP PHOTO JACQUES DEMARTHON)

Leaked pictures appear to have confirmed the existence of a luxury SUV from Italian auto marque Maserati, ahead of the vehicle's expected debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The picture, obtained by automotive blog Autospies, seems to confirm rumors that sports specialist Maserati intends to broaden its lineup with a large SUV model, part of a plan to boost sales of the Fiat-owned brand by tenfold.

The new model, which is based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee, is set to go on sale in 2013 in a bid to take on the hugely successful Porsche Cayenne, which is responsible for roughly half of the German brand's sales.

It will likely be powered by a 4.7-liter V-8 engine, according to the literature obtained by Autospies, which will produce about 450 hp and will be coupled with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Maserati's move into luxury SUVs looks to part of something of a trend at next week's show, which will see automakers from all over the world taking the wraps off new models.

Eterniti, a new British brand, is also prepping a luxury SUV for launch, believed to be based on the Cayenne itself and set to launch next year.

Bentley, meanwhile, is also thought to be considering a luxury SUV, although it's not known whether plans are advanced enough to make a Frankfurt concept possible - the high-end name has already confirmed that it will launch a new version of its €170,060 (£149,350) Continental GTC at the event.

The Frankfurt Motor Show runs September 15-25 in Frankfurt, Germany.

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See the Maserati SUV images:  http://www.autospies.com/news/FRANKFURT-MOTOR-SHOW-WORLD-EXCLUSIVE-Maserati-SUV-Photo-Leaks-Early-Look-Out-RR-And-Porsche-66613/