Skip advert
Advertisement

Maserati Alfieri concept to become electric Tesla rival in 2018?

Production plans for the stunning Maserati Alfieri have been delayed, but now there's an electric version in the mix

The sleek new Maserati Alfieri 2+2 concept could become a production reality with electric power, the head of Maserati’s owner Fiat Chrysler says.

Sergio Marchionne revealed in an interview with the Bloomberg news agency, that an electric Alfieri could be launched some time after 2019 – even though reports say the petrol-powered version has already been delayed, and now isn’t likely to materialise before 2018.

Advertisement - Article continues below

The Porsche 911 and Jaguar F-Type rivaling Alfieri concept was launched to great excitement at the Geneva motor show back in 2014, but the word is that plans to launch a production version this year or next were pushed back. Some reports say that’s because Maserati sales of the Ghibli have been unsatisfactory, so more energy had to be put into the marque’s other potential volume seller – the Levante – instead.  The Maserati brand currently sells fewer than 40,000 cars annually, but the Fiat Chrysler business-plan demands sales of 75,000 by 2018. That means a replacement for the GranTurismo will likely arrive before the production Alfieri breaks cover too.

Named after one of the founders of Maserati, the Alfieri was introduced to Geneva Motor Show crowds by CEO Harald Wester, who proclaimed it “the future of Maserati.” 

• Geneva Motor Show 2014

Speaking at the launch Wester described the Alfieri not as a replacement for the GranTurismo but as an additional model in the Maserati line-up. “It’s a completely different proposition – the Alfieri is not a GT, it’s the perfect size 2+2 sports car that could complete the Maserati range.”

The concept was based on a shortened version of the GranTurismo MC Stradale platform – about 24cm shorter – and powered by the same 4.7-litre naturally aspirated V8 as that car. It developed about 460bhp and was hooked up to a six-speed automatic gearbox. However sources suggest that when the production model arrives it will have a new generation platform related to the underpinnings of the new GranTurismo that’s potentially due to be revealed next year.

“The Alfieri is a transition point between 100 glorious years of history and the future that is opening up before us. I can’t honestly say that we’ll see this car in production in the next two years, but I’m certain we’ll see something very similar,” said Head of Design at Fiat Group, Lorenzo Ramaciotti, back in 2014.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Coupe of the Year 2024: Maserati GranTurismo
Maserati GranTurismo - Coupe of the Year 2024

Coupe of the Year 2024: Maserati GranTurismo

The Maserati GranTurismo is the 2024 Auto Express Coupe of the Year, with the BMW 2 Series and Porsche 718 Cayman commended
Awards
3 Jul 2024
The death of the Geneva Motor Show can't be considered as progress
Opinion - Geneva Motor Show

The death of the Geneva Motor Show can't be considered as progress

Mike Rutherford laments the demise of the iconic Geneva Motor Show
Opinion
16 Jun 2024
The Geneva Motor Show is dead, but Qatar spin-off still on for 2025
Geneva Motor Show

The Geneva Motor Show is dead, but Qatar spin-off still on for 2025

A “lack of interest shown by manufacturers” and competition with other motor shows were among the reasons given for the demise of the Geneva Motor Sho…
News
31 May 2024
"BYD, Dacia, MG and Renault are among the most impressive and in-touch car brands in the world"
Opinion - MG3

"BYD, Dacia, MG and Renault are among the most impressive and in-touch car brands in the world"

Mike Rutherford is confused as to why so many car manufacturers avoided the 2024 Geneva Motor Show
Opinion
3 Mar 2024

Most Popular

Fuel duty frozen, but new car buyers hit by VED hikes
Parliament

Fuel duty frozen, but new car buyers hit by VED hikes

Labour’s first budget spares drivers at the pumps, while industry raises investment fears
News
31 Oct 2024
Renault 5 review
Renault 5 - front tracking

Renault 5 review

The retro-inspired Renault 5 electric supermini is well-priced, nice to drive, and has great tech
In-depth reviews
31 Oct 2024
New Hyundai Inster 2024 review: quirky EV is appealing despite its high price
Hyundai Inster - front

New Hyundai Inster 2024 review: quirky EV is appealing despite its high price

The new Hyundai Inster EV is fun to drive, has plenty of space and is well equipped
Road tests
1 Nov 2024