Italian marque’s revival plan includes new sports cars, a Porsche Macan rival and electric models
Maserati’s bold vision Ten new models due by 2023
Maserati has confirmed that 10 new models are set to arrive in the next four years – including a range of hybrids and the firm’s first fully electric powertrain, which is destined for everything from sports cars to SUVs. As part of parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles’ €5 billion (£4.4bn) investment plan, Maserati will extensively upgrade its production facilities to build the new cars. Every Maserati will continue to be assembled in Italy.
The first new model will be a heavily updated Ghibli saloon, which is set to be unveiled next year and feature the brand’s first hybrid powertrain: a plugin system with a usable electric range and ultra-low CO2.
The BMW 5 Series rival will also have level two autonomous driving capability. Maserati intends to progress to ‘hands off’ level three features – where the car can manoeuvre in and out of lanes and bring itself to a stop at the side of the road – in the near future. Updates to the Levante and Quattroporte in 2020 are expected to usher in similar features and hybrid options.
Next up will be Maserati’s first all-new car since the 2015 Levante: a sports car tipped to use the Alfieri nameplate first seen on the brand’s 2014 concept car. It will be produced in Modena, where “major production line upgrades to accommodate its electric powertrain” will be required. Powertrain specs leaked from a brand presentation confirm that the Alfieri’s electric powertrain, dubbed Maserati Blue, will be a three-motor, all-wheel drive using 800V technology and offering a claimed 50% more power than equivalent combustion engines.
In 2021, Maserati will launch a new SUV that will rival the Porsche Macan. Said to play a “leading role for the brand, thanks to its innovative technologies”, it requires an investment of around €800 million (£711m) for the construction of a new production line. The first pre-series models will emerge in early 2021, with production expected soon after. An open-top version of the new sports car will arrive in 2021 as well.
The GranTurismo and GranCabrio will return as an all-new generation after that and are said to “herald the full-electrification era for Maserati”. A spokesman confirmed to Drive-My that, despite that declaration, these new 2+2 GT models will be offered in battery electric and petrol forms, but it’s expected that the petrol will be hybridised. The BMW 8 Series rivals will need a further €800m (£711m) investment in the firm’s Turin production hub.
Unconfirmed but previewed in a leaked product plan last month are the all-new Levante SUV and Quattroporte saloon. These are also set to go fully electric, targeted squarely at Tesla, but petrol hybrid versions will again be offered. Construction of a new paint shop in Modena has begun and it will be “equipped with innovative, low environmental impact technologies”, the firm claims. It will allow customers to watch their cars going through the paint process. A further development is a dedicated customisation workshop, enabling a greater level of personalisation.
ALL-NEW MASERATIS: 2020-2023
Alfieri sports car 2020
Sub-Levante SUV 2021
Alfieri Cabriolet 2021
GranTurismo 2021
GranCabrio 2022
Quattroporte 2022
Levante 2023