Skip advert
Advertisement

Maserati two-seater sports car likely in 2016

Small Maserati sports car looks increasingly likely, according to its chief

A new two-seater mid-engined Maserati sports car is looking increasingly likely and it could arrive by 2016, Auto Express can reveal.

Company boss Harald J Wester has previously mentioned the possibility of such a car. However, Giulio Pastore, Gengeral Manager for Maserati Europe has given the greatest hint yet of the vehicle’s pending arrival.

Advertisement - Article continues below

He said: “We don’t want to lose the identity of sportiness for Maserati. There will be the new GranCabrio and GranTurismo in 2015 and the year after that we are thinking of a new smaller sports car.”

It is widely acknowledged the car will be mid-engined, but Pastore revealed it would not be based on the Alfa 4C as has previously been speculated. He explained: “It would require us to create a more sporty, all-new body for Maserati.”

This new sports car would be a strict two-seater and be smaller in size to the next GranTurismo, which itself could shrink to become a two-plus-two-seater for improved dynamics.

Exactly where the car would sit in the range has yet to be confirmed. One thing is clear though – it will be the sportiest Maserati available as Pestore revealed the firm isn’t also planning to build a hypercar based on the Ferrari La Ferrari, in the same way it had the Enzo-based MC12.

The success of the new Quattroporte and forthcoming Ghibli are key to the new sports car project getting the go-ahead. And things are looking promising. Quattroporte sales of 6,100 so far this year are already well ahead of budget and suggest Maserati’s bold plans to sell 50,000 cars worldwide by 2015 could well be achievable.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Maserati Biturbo Shamal gets a £500,000 restomod thanks to Modena Automobili
Maserati Biturbo Shamal - front 3/4

Maserati Biturbo Shamal gets a £500,000 restomod thanks to Modena Automobili

The angular shape of Maserati’s nineties sports car has been given a new lease of life
News
4 Nov 2024
Monterey Car Week 2024: full show round-up and all the exclusive, luxury and performance cars
Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance

Monterey Car Week 2024: full show round-up and all the exclusive, luxury and performance cars

Some of the most iconic car brands lined up to unveil new metal in Monterey
News
20 Aug 2024
New Maserati MC20 halo model to drop at Monterey Car Week 2024
Maserati's new halo car derived from the MC20 - front

New Maserati MC20 halo model to drop at Monterey Car Week 2024

Maserati’s brilliant MC20 supercar will channel its motorsport siblings through a new halo model to be revealed at The Quail car show
News
6 Aug 2024
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024: new cars and highlights
Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024 - MG sculpture

Goodwood Festival of Speed 2024: new cars and highlights

2024’s Goodwood Festival of Speed was a celebration of over 130 years of engine tech, but it also looked well into the future
News
17 Jul 2024

Most Popular

New cars that plummet in value can make brilliant used buys
Opinion - Vauxhall Corsa-e

New cars that plummet in value can make brilliant used buys

Editor Paul Barker takes a closer look at our 2024 Used Car Awards
Opinion
20 Nov 2024
A £10k electric car with a 100-mile range would surely be a sales success
Opinion - cheap EV

A £10k electric car with a 100-mile range would surely be a sales success

Mike Rutherford thinks there would be demand for an electric car with a modest 100-mile range if it only cost £10k
Opinion
17 Nov 2024
Best used cars to buy 2024
Best used cars 2024

Best used cars to buy 2024

From city cars to large SUVs, here’s our annual pick of the star performers that’ll save you thousands when you buy them used instead of new
Best cars & vans
20 Nov 2024