The Trident Wants To Transcend Tiers
I don’t know about you, but when I heard that Maserati would be applying the MC-double-digit naming strategy to a new car, I was expecting something as legendary as the MC12, a car that was even more capable on track than the exceptional Enzo upon which it was based. But building a competitive new hypercar of that caliber was too expensive, so instead, Maserati went its own way with the development of the technical marvel that is the Nettuno V6 and the MC20 in which it first found a home (now the MCPura). The engine has since been democratized across Maserati’s range, and with both the basic chassis and engine there for Turin’s taking, Alfa Romeo created a more exclusive supercar called the 33 Stradale. As collaborative the ties between Stellantis’ Italian brands to date, they’ll be strengthened next year with a potential flagship GT supercar for Maserati, reports Autocar. Oh, and this will probably have a manual transmission.
Maserati Seems To Know What The Market Wants
Adam Lynton/Autoblog
Santo Ficili, CEO of both Maserati and Alfa Romeo, told the publication, “We have infinite possibilities to customize products for our customers, for the entire range of Maserati. I’m imagining [doing] something like we did in the past, also considering Alfa Romeo.” Ficili reportedly drew attention to the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione with its Maserati GranTurismo underpinnings and side-by-side manufacture at Maserati’s facility in Modena. The 4C was also produced there, and a 2023 report following an Autocar interview with Alfa’s head of strategic projects revealed that Alfa will unveil a second low-volume supercar in 2026. Do you see where this is going?
Ficili wants the pair to collaborate again, and with the MCPura only just arriving at Goodwood earlier this month, it’s time to look upmarket to rebuild Maserati’s brand credentials. 20+ years on from the MC12, Maserati has the wherewithal to step up to the ultra-low-volume segment once more. “Why not?” said Ficiili to the prospect of another tie-up. “We can imagine a ‘few-off’ Maserati. It’s easy, because you can look at the past of these two brands, and you can find a nice car like the 33 Stradale, and we can invent something like this.”
Engagement Over Electrification
Maserati
Maserati’s engineering boss, Davide Danesin said that hybrids are still too compromised for some drivers. “There are still customers looking for pure mechanical cars,” he said, adding that they have a “bad feeling” about taking on the extra complexity and weight that comes with electrification. The 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 and its efficient prechamber ignition technology can remain compliant with Euro 7 regulations, despite delivering 207.6 horsepower per liter, and we can expect a low-volume car to up the ante (even though the 33 Stradale stuck to 620 hp). But hopefully not too much – Danesin imagines three pedals in the driver footwell.
“A manual gearbox is an opportunity. I don’t see that in big series [production], but why not do a special version with a manual gearbox? No reason to say never. It could be the right choice for a limited edition of a car. […] By doing a purely mechanical car, it does make sense to have a mechanical gearbox with a shifter. So why not? It fulfils perfectly the brand. It fulfils perfectly our approach and the mindset. So honestly, I think one day we’ll do it.”
Final Thoughts
ClassicheMasters/Bring a Trailer
Whatever form the new Maserati will take, it’ll be more luxurious, more powerful, and more expensive, likely exceeding $300,000. Then again, the price could get much higher if the volumes are small enough; the 33 Stradale reportedly cost buyers around $1.9 million, according to Top Gear. In summary, keep an eye out for a low-volume Alfa next year, and then try to imagine what the same thing would look like in Maserati clothing. Something like that could follow by the end of 2026. A6GCS Berlinetta? Mistral? Bora? Merak? Maserati has a rich back catalog to choose from…
Related: Stellantis Squashes Rumors of Plan to Sell Maserati