As Maserati heads towards a fully electric model range by the end of the decade, it is passing through a transitional stage of electrification where hybrid powertrains will be offered. The first hybrid model was the Ghibli saloon in 2020, followed by the Levante and then the Grecale GT Hybrid.
Following the launch of the Grecale in Malaysia last year, Naza Italia has now added the GT Hybrid version to the range with a price of RM598,000 (inclusive of duties but excluding insurance). The price includes 3 years warranty coverage with no mileage restriction.
While cars of the premium luxury brands already possess a measure of exclusivity, there are customers who want to make their car even more special, more personalized. After all, they are already paying a lot so why not go a bit further and make the car truly unique? The carmakers understand this and have divisions to cater for personalization and conversion requests of almost any nature as long as it does not affect safety.
Maserati, for example, has its Fuoriserie personalization program that allows a customer to make his or her vehicle one-of-a-kind. However, the personalization is typically related to materials and accessories which the carmaker may already have or which can be specifically fabricated. And, of course, there are colour choices that are ‘infinite’ and limited only by imagination.
The bodywork is often not changed much to maintain the original design and this is where specialists like Mansory provide customization that can give a sportier or bolder appearance. The latest example of the German company’s offering is for the Maserati MC20 where they can carry out a full conversion to a Mansory First Edition.
Maserati is no stranger to motorsport, having been present in touring, GT and even Formula 1 (from 1950 to 1957) so competition is in its high-performance DNA. Next year, the Italian carmaker will enter the ABB Formula E World Championship, the all-electric series which will be in its ninth season.
It will enter as the Maserati MSG (Monaco Sports Group) Racing with the Maserati Tipo Folgore Gen3 – the first fully electric racing car in the history of the brand which is also the first Italian carmaker to enter Formula E. It is the second brand in the Stellantis Group to participate in Formula E, the other being DS from the Citroen affiliate which has been racing since 2018.
Barbie, the American fashion doll which has had over a million clones worldwide since being ‘born’ in 1959 had an Austin Healey as her first car. But as she got older, she had a liking for Chevrolet Corvettes (typically pink) and also had many sportscars as well as a Rolls-Royce. She’s no stranger to Italian cars either, having had a Ferrari 328GTS in her garage.
Now she’ll also have a limited edition Maserati Grecale in her name and there will be only three real units of the new SUV. The Barbie Maserati Grecale is the result of an unconventional collaboration between the Italian sportscar maker and Mattel, the brand owners of Barbie.
After months of teasing, the Maserati GranTurismo has made its global debut. This latest generation starts a new chapter in a story that began 75 years ago with the Maserati A6 1500.
The original Gran Turismo of 1947 at the Geneva Motor Show was the first road-going Maserati, of which only 61 examples were produced. The car had technical features and original, cutting-edge technology making it a genuinely revolutionary car.
The new GranTurismo coupe upholds that tradition, combining the high performance typical of a sportscar with comfort suitable for long distances. It represents a benchmark, embodying the concept of “The Others Just Travel”.
The last time Maserati had a GranTurismo in the showrooms was in 2019, and then production of the model stopped after some 40,000 cars had been sold worldwide. At that time, the carmaker didn’t say it was the end of the line but rather that it was focussing on factory renovation. It also said that it would develop a new ‘Made in Italy’ high-performance sportscar which would undoubtedly continue the iconic model line that began 75 years ago.
The all-new GranTurismo must be nearing launch as it has now been revealed in public without camouflage. With ‘a selected number of employees from the Maserati Family in the driving seat’ and travelling many kilometres, prototypes must be undergoing final real-world testing. This is the time when pictures start to appear in social media so the company has probably decided that it’s more practical to simply allow the car to be seen uncamouflaged.
One of the frustrations for engineers is that there are so many regulations they must meet when developing a model for sale. There are emission regulations and safety regulations to comply with otherwise the car cannot be registered for use on public roads.
With racing cars, it’s a bit different and while there are also regulations, they are generally focussed on safety while allowing more freedom in performance. This is why manufacturers sometimes have models which are strictly for track use (or on private roads) and then the engineers can go all out to achieve maximum performance. It’s a dream project for any engineer.
At Maserati, there’s such a dream project now in progress, codename Project24. This is going to be a super sportscar and it is based on the MC20. Besides inheriting the main specification, the V6 Nettuno 3-litre dry sump engine will have new turbochargers to raise its power out to 740 ps. The drivetrain will consist of 6-speed sequential racing transmission with a racing clutch, and a mechanical limited-slip differential.
Maserati MC20
Besides suspension uprating, there will also be a carbon-ceramic braking system by Brembo and slick tyres specially chosen for racing, as well as FIA-approved safety features. The passenger’s seat will be an optional item but air-conditioning will be installed.
Based on the brand’s obsession with lightness, the target weight of the sportscar will be below 1,250 kgs. With the higher output and lower weight, a power-to-weight ratio of approximately 1.69 kgs/ps will be possible.
The bodywork has also be lightened with carbonfibre cladding. Aerodynamic studies in the wind tunnel will provide guidance on how to make the body more slippery, and there will be adjustable front and rear wings.
The Project24 will not be a one-off car but will be produced in 62 copies. Each owner will have assistance in getting the car on the track and also support services. Of course, how many owners will race it on a track remains to be seen but it will certainly become an instant classic collector’s item.
In September 2020, Maserati launched its latest supercar – the MC20 (which stands for ‘Maserati Corse’ and ‘2020’) as part of a long-term plan to return to greatness, especially in the performance segment. Now comes a ‘topless’ version – the MC20 Cielo spyder – which has a similar overall form as the MC20 but also its own distinct character.
With ‘Cielo’ meaning ‘sky’ in Italian, the design’s emphasis is on bringing the clouds and stars into the cabin, so to speak. This is achieved courtesy of a powered mechanism that folds the roof into a storage area at the rear. The roof is said to be best-in-class in terms of thermal insulation and of opening/closing speed (12 seconds).
An open feeling is also possible with the roof in place, thanks to electrochromic ‘smart glass’. With the press of a button, the glass can go from opaque to clear, or reverse the process. Electrochromic glass has been around for some time now and used in non-automotive applications as well. It is usually offered with more expensive high-end models for sunroof applications and is also used for rearview mirrors.
In the case of the MC 20 Cielo’s sunroof, Polymer-Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) technology is used. The glass switches its transparency using electricity charges that cause special elements sandwiched in the glass to darken or lighten.
The MC20 Cielo is equipped with an optional High Premium Sonus faber audio system. This has been specially optimized to fit the unique acoustic and positioning needs of the spyder’s cabin which will, at times, be open. The system’s 12 speakers have been located to give the natural sound quality that distinguishes audio systems from the Italian specialist in high-end audio systems,
Like the MC20, the MC20 Cielo has spent a long period in the wind tunnel to refine the aerodynamic efficiency of its minimalist design. There are certain ‘wow’ features that are common, eg the butterfly doors which open up like wings unfolding upwards. They are designed to make it easier for the driver and passengers to get in and out despite the low floor.
The engine is the Maserati-patented 90-degree V6 Nettuno twin-turbo petrol engine with the Twin Combustion Chamber. This approach increases combustion efficiency by using a pre-combustion chamber with twin spark plugs. The concept has so far been used only in F1 engines, so this is another example of F1 technology being transferred to a road car. Though supplied by Ferrari, the engine has been further developed by Maserati’s own engineers and is also built on its own premises.
From the 3000 cc of displacement, 630 bhp/ 730 Nm are produced, delivered to the rear wheels through an 8-speed, dual-clutch transmission.
The MC20 Cielo, like its brother, has a carbonfibre monocoque tub enclosed by a lightweight carbonfibre and aluminium bodyshell. The platform is also ready for electrification in future without requiring much structural alteration.
The MC20 Cielo is offered with an exclusive Acquamarina colour, available as part of the Maserati Fuoriserie customisation programme. This launch colour uses a 3-layer paint based on a racing-inspired grey, with an iridescent mica in aquamarine.
To make the connection between the spyder’s elegance and sporty soul even more exclusive, customers can choose the PrimaSerie Launch Edition. This is a limited series with exclusive features such as the Acquamarina bodywork, ice-coloured interior and even a few golden details.
Every major global carmaker, especially those in Europe, have announced electrification plans that will see their brand going fully electric or having a mix of hybrid electric and battery electric (BEV) models. This is an industry-wide move to address climate change and environmental issues, and the auto industry is responding by switching to vehicles with electrified powertrains that generate very low or zero emissions. There is an urgency so the end of this decade is set as the target for completing the changes.
Maserati will be the first among the Italian luxury car brands to produce full-electric models, with the first one to be launched in 2023 and an aim to be the first to complete its electric line-up by 2025. All the fully electric models will be developed, engineered and entirely produced in Italy and form the new Folgore range (‘folgore‘ is Italian for ‘lightning’).
A prototype of the Gran Turismo Folgore was shown at the recent Formula e-Prix in Rome, Italy. It was driven by Carlos Tavares, CEO of Stellantis, which Maserati is part of.
The first model will be the Gran Turismo Folgore, a coupe which the company says will have ‘cutting-edge technical solutions, superb performance, comfort and elegance’. Technical details are not revealed yet although it is believed that the powertrain will have 3 motors and a total output of up to 1,200 ps.
Maserati has given assurance that while exhaust emissions will fall to zero, one iconic element of the cars with the Trident will still be present: the distinctive growl. Of course, the equivalent for electric motors would usually be a high-pitched whine so it will be interesting to see how the engineers incorporate that familiar adrenalin-pulsing roar.
The Grecale Folgore.
Following the Gran Turismo Folgore will be the Grecale Folgore, which is a fully electric variant of the second Maserati SUV model. It will have a 105-kW/h battery pack using 400V technology and two motors which will generate a total of up to 800 Nm of torque. This is also scheduled for launch towards the end of 2023 so it might go on sale only in 2024.
For 2025 or 2026, the next generation of the Quattroporte sedan and Levante SUV will make their debut and are likely to be only available with electric powertrains. By then, as mentioned earlier, Maserati will have every model in its range electrified. The other target for the end of the decade would be when it no longer has a combustion engine powertrain in any of its models.
Next year, Maserati will partner the ROKIT Venturi team to participate in the Formula E World Championship for all-electric single-seaters.
As part of its journey onwards to electrification, Maserati will also make its debut in the next season of Formula E (season 9) next year. It will be the first Italian brand to enter Formula E and its partner will be the ROKiT Venturi Racing team, already successfully running in the series. Season 9 will see a new generation of racing cars that have a range of innovations in terms of design, production and technology.
While much attention is on the new Grecale launched recently, Maserati’s first SUV – the Levante – has received updates for the 2022 model year. With the cosmetic updates, the Levante gains a more unified identity with the rest of the Italian carmaker’s range by adopting the common language for its key models.
The changes can be seen in the grille and new rear light clusters which have a boomerang shape inspired by the units on the 3200 GT styled by Giugiaro. To emphasise the boomerang shape, the light clusters are produced with a state-of-the-art 3K injection moulding technology, giving the unit a 3-colour lens. They are black around the edges, red in the middle and clear in the bottom section.
Coupe profile for SUV
Though it is a SUV, the design concept of the Levante has a couple profile which enhances aerodynamics. The imposing grille, which was inspired by the 2014 Alfieri concept, pays homage to historic Maserati cars like the Tipo 60 Birdcage. The new front grille with the tuning fork design now comes in chrome for the GranLusso trim and Black Piano for the GranSport.
The GranLusso trim is identified on the exterior by a series of elegant chrome inserts in the front fascia, chrome front/rear skid plates, body colour rear spoiler, black-painted brake callipers, 21-inch Anteo wheels and GranLusso badges on the fenders.
The wider, more muscular rear end has a sharper horizontal element and a body-colour lower extractor embracing the four exhaust tips. Alongside the sportier bumpers, the GranSport exterior is also discernible for the front and rear Black Piano inserts, the GranSport badges on the front fenders, red brake callipers and either 21-inch Helios or 21-inch Anteo wheels.
The Levante is available with V6 and V8 twin-turbo engines with 3.0-litre and 3.8-litre displacements.
The existing differences between the various trims remain unchanged. On the GranSport trim, the side air intakes in the lower fascia have a more aggressive design, defined by two aerodynamic wings that give a sense of further stability, visually ‘pushing’ the weight of the car’s nose towards the massive front wheels. The side bezel blades and the splitter are styled to improve the airflow distribution.
Updates for instrument panel
Inside, the main changes of the 2022 Levante are largely seen in the 8.4-inch central display and instrument cluster. The central screen is now frameless for a more contemporary look, with almost all the surrounding bezel removed. The improved resolution, graphics and visual effect make it look like a single curved screen with the air vents cut into it, enabling vertical reading of the whole display.
The name Maserati is screen-printed on the back of the screen at the bottom of the display for a 3-dimensional effect. There is also a subtle but very sophisticated change to the instrument cluster, which now includes a large tachometer and speedometer (still analogue but with updated graphics) on either side of a 7-inch TFT display.
Much of the plastic from the previous version is eliminated and replaced with real anti-dazzle flat glass covers over the instruments. All these changes give the instrument cluster a more high-tech look and generate a richer impression. Effects are achieved by alternating glossy and matte blacks. The perimeter ring which contains the numbers is reflective glossy black, while the central ring containing the indicator lights is matte black.
Active Driving Assist
Newly added is Active Driving Assist (ADS), an evolution of Highway Assist introduced in 2018. The system works with Adaptive Cruise Control and keeps the vehicle centered in its lane. It uses a radar and forward-looking camera to scan the road ahead for other vehicles and hazards.
The latest Levante is available in Malaysia through Naza Italia and priced from RM808,800 (inclusive of taxes and duties) with full specifications and options.
