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Fiat/PSA's dominance in small vans hangs up EU's merger approval

BRUSSELS — EU antitrust regulators are concerned about Fiat Chrysler and Peugeot / PSA's combined high market share in small vans and may require concessions to clear their $50 billion merger, people familiar with the matter said. The companies, which are seeking to create the world's fourth biggest carmaker, were told of the European Commission's concerns last week. If Fiat and PSA fail to dispel the European Commission's doubts in the next two days and subsequently decline to offer concessions by Wednesday, the deadline for doing so, the deal would face a four-month-long investigation. The EU competition enforcer, which has set a June 17 deadline for its preliminary review, declined to comment. Fiat was not immediately available for comment while PSA had no immediate comment. Hiving off overlapping businesses, usually a regulatory demand to ensure more competition, could prove tricky for the carmakers because of the technicalities. Fiat and PSA are looking to merge to help offset slowing demand and shoulder the cost of making cleaner vehicles to meet tougher emissions regulations. The deal puts under one roof the Italian carmaker's brands such as Fiat, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, Maserati and the French company's Peugeot, Opel and DS. Related Video: Government/Legal Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep Maserati RAM Citroen Opel Peugeot

Maserati electrified the new Grecale SUV, and it's the top performer

Maserati is going electric, first with the announcement of the GranTurismo Folgore, its first electrified performance car, and now with the reveal of the Grecale Folgore electric SUV. The brand announced the vehicle at the Shanghai Auto Show this week, along with the promise that all its models would offer electric options by 2025. The 550-horsepower electric SUV gets a dual-motor powertrain, which delivers 605 pound-feet of torque, and standard all-wheel drive. Maserati promises a range of around 311 miles (500km) and a top speed of 137 mph. Compare that with the gas-powered Grecale Modena’s 325 horsepower, and itÂ’s clear this will be the performance halo of the SUV line. Though electric, the Grecale Folgore retains MaseratiÂ’s signature grille look and trident logo up front. ItÂ’s a more traditional presentation than the weird closed-off nose many EVs carry, and the automaker left its iconic three-porthole styling element on the front fenders. Wheel sizes range from 19 to 21 inches, depending on the market, and the SUV gets gloss-black exterior trim. Maserati installed a 12.3-inch touchscreen and an 8.8-inch digital gauge cluster and said that many of the Grecale FolgoreÂ’s controls have gone digital in the infotainment system. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto join a few Chinese-market apps like WeChat and Baidu CarLife, and the Maserati digital assistant system has been updated for the electric SUV. Grecale Folgore buyers can work with Maserati on home or public charging solutions, including facilitating charging across Europe and China. The automaker can facilitate home charging installation, including shipping a wallbox charger to buyersÂ’ homes or offices. The SUV itself comes with 400-volt electric architecture, as well as battery preconditioning and temperature management to ensure the fastest charging. We donÂ’t have pricing or a U.S. release date for the new SUV, but Maserati talked more about its first EV, the GranTurismo Folgore, at the show. The car features more than 750 horsepower at the wheels and an 800-volt electrical system for ultra-fast charging. Gas versions of the car are available with up to 542 horsepower from a twin-turbo V6. Green Auto Shanghai Maserati Electric

Maserati's first electric car won't be a Tesla rival

Italian supercar makers haven't exactly embraced electric vehicles with gusto (the LaFerrari hybrid is about as close as you get), but that should change in the next few years. Ferrari's sibling brand Maserati tells Car and Driver that it's working on an electric vehicle that would be shown before 2020. And unlike other luxury car brands, Maserati doesn't plan on eating Tesla's lunch. It has to produce something "very different" to stand out, the company's Roberto Fedeli says. Think of something more like the GranTurismo coupe (see above) than yet another upscale sedan. Part of the challenge, Fedeli claims, is making a green machine that's exciting to drive. Breakneck acceleration is the only really thrilling aspect of EVs right now, he says – the sheer weight of those lithium-ion batteries dampens the enjoyment on twisty roads. A Maserati would have to be lighter on its feet. Also, the automaker will have to find a way to give its car character without a roaring gas engine under the hood. In that sense, Maserati's 2020 goal is realistic. It may not have much choice but to wait for battery technology to catch up to its ambitions. Related Video: This article by Jon Fingas originally ran on Engadget, the definitive guide to this connected life. News Source: Car and Driver Green Maserati Tesla Coupe Electric Luxury Performance