Maserati to electrify Alfieri, launch new sub-brand for EV models
DESPITE its models perhaps not being as familiar to most as those from the likes of Lamborghini and Ferrari, Maserati is without doubt one of the most evocative and exotic names in the global auto industry.
And the future is sounding extremely bright for the legendary Italian brand after its parent company FCA announced what it has in store for Maserati as part of its latest five-year plan including sporty luxury EVs and powertrains from Ferrari.
The most headline- grabbing part of the plan is the longdelayed new flagship Alfieri sports car going electrified, so there will eventually be hybrid, plug-in hybrid and all- electric versions of this exciting new model. But there’s plenty more for Maserati fans to get worked up about with the arrival of a midsize SUV, all-new versions of the Quattroporte and Levante, and the news that the entire portfolio is set to be electrified by as soon as 2022.
It was also revealed by Maserati chief Tim Kuniskis that Ferrari is actually going to be providing all future powertrains for the new models. That doesn’t just mean the internal combustion engines either. Ferrari will be supplying the powertrains for the hybrids, plug-in hybrids and fully battery- electric models too. There will also be a new Maserati Blue brand name the fully electric models will be marketed under.
The current plans therefore make provision for a total of four EVs, which will be the Alfieri, an Alfieri cabriolet, and the new versions of the Quattroporte and Levante. All four will be built on a lightweight aluminium modular platform and feature all-wheel drive, torque vectoring, 800-volt battery technology, rapid charging and long driving ranges on a full battery. The Alfieri is predicted to have a top speed of more than 186 mph ( 298 kph) and a 0- 60 mph time of just 2.0 seconds. — Relaxnews