The former boss of Maserati has come out saying the company could release another ultra-exclusive model in the near future, according to a new report.
Harald Wester, now the chief technology officer of Maserati parent Fiat Chrysler, told Britain’s Autocar this week that the Italian performance brand “could do a limited edition, but not yet”.
The last time the company released a limited-run halo car was the 2004 Maserati MC12, which was essentially a rebodied version of the Ferrari Enzo. All 50 examples sold, despite their circa $1 million price tag.
Maserati’s manufacturing facility in Modena, Italy, currently produces the Alfa Romeo 4C, and prior to that built the limited-edition Alfa Romeo 8C – which used a lot of Maserati parts.
According to the report, Wester said the company’s small pool of 1100 employees makes the company flexible enough to take on a new hero project.
Meanwhile, the former head of Maserati indicated the next-generation of its GranTurismo will be a different kind of car, saying it “will not be the same formula” in order to chase quicker acceleration.
The current car is likely to be retired sometime next year, with Wester saying the “GranTurismo will go when it is 10 years old”. The GranTurismo launched in 2007.
Autocar says that Wester implied the GranCabrio may not be replaced as there is little to no demand for the open-top variant in China.
Before the new GranTurismo hits showrooms, however, the company is reportedly planning to give a light update to the Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans later this year.
- James Wong, caradvice.com.au