Maserati boss Harald Wester has confirmed the launch of its long-awaited Alfieri sportscar at next year’s Geneva motor show – six years after it was first previewed as a concept car back in 2014.
This big gap indicates radical changes to the model. The Alfieri will be on offer with a choice of three different electrified powertrains, since Maserati is looking to position itself as both a high-tech performance carmaker and the technology leader in the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) group.
The powertrain options on the Alfieri will include an electric version, which will use a tri-motor, four-wheel drive system with torque vectoring and 800V battery technology, and a plug-in hybrid.
The production version of the two-seater will not follow until 2021/22, though. In the meantime, Wester says that the brand plans to launch updated versions of the Ghibli, Quattroporte and Levante. These will then be replaced with new versions by the end of 2022, which will also each come with a fully electrified powertrain option alongside mild- and plug-in hybrid variants.
“Any product we touch or make will have significant electrification,” said Wester. “The main launches for new products are in 2021/22 and by the end of 2022 we will have a completely new range. For each and every line-up, we will have a full battery-electric version.”
Wester believes Maserati to be one among very few brands that can make a commercial success of electrified drivetrains in the medium term. “For a long time, it will not be a business. We are all dreaming,” he said.
Wester didn’t sound hopeful about a long-term future for diesel in Maserati’s range. On the other hand, Maserati has sourced petrol engines for its previous models from Ferrari; and after Ferrari’s separation from FCA, Wester has said the brand would “not necessarily” continue sourcing from there. However, did say that you’d need to “do something exceptional” to match Ferrari’s engines.