Reports from the inner confines of Maserati suggest that the Italian luxury car firm is seriously exploring the idea of a production version of the Alfieri!
This concept first made its appearance a few years ago at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show in what would amount to an ambitious charge into the sports car segment.
Designed to take on rivals such as the Jaguar F-Type, Porsche 911, and even the Nissan GT-R, the Alfieri is expected to ride on a more performance oriented version of the modular platform that is also used on the Ghibli. However, the Alfieri would be much lower to the ground than that model, and its extensive use of aluminum will shed precious pounds while improving handling as well. The interior design would also be largely exclusive to the Alfieri, but look for some of its Ghibli DNA to emerge in a few areas especially in regards to its infotainment system and ergonomic layout. The Alfieri’s sleek suit of clothes will also pen the direction of the 2017 Gran Turismo. Designed to replace the aging current generation model, the new Gran Turismo will make extensive use of the Alfieri’s design language in a bid to stay relevant against rivals from Rolls Royce Bentley and Aston Martin.
Performance hardware is also expected to be shared with other Maserati models with the Australian publication Drive revealing that the base model will be powered by the same 3.0 liter twin-turbocharged V6 that made its appearance in the recently unveiled Levante SUV. Buyers looking for more speed would be able to upgrade to the 3.8 liter twin-turbocharged V8 that is currently found in the Quattroporte sedan. In a curious move, it appears that all-wheel drive has been ruled out for the time being, and the Alfieri will only be available in rear wheel drive. This may give it a disadvantage when paired up against all-wheel drive versions of the F-Type as well as equally equipped 911s though it would maintain the traditional image that once defined past Maserati models.
Look for the production version of the Alfieri to make its official debut sometime in 2018 with the first units arriving in Maserati showrooms sometime in 2019. Reports suggest that its sleek show car styling will remain largely intact, however like all concept cars, expect some concessions and tweaks mainly in the name of safety and production feasibility.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.