Maserati Plans New Model Every Six Months Until 2022

[Bili]

We spoke with North American CEO, Al Gardner, about Maserati's production offensive.

Continuing on the conversation, it seems apparent that Maserati and Alfa Romeo will have more separation moving forward. "Alfa is going to go the heart of the volume. That's not where Maserati wants to play. Maserati wants to play north of, we'll call it $75,000 because that's where Ghibli starts. I think we'll continue to position ourselves as that type of brand that is true luxury and performance with the Italian design, style, sophistication, and elegance. And we can do that and make it 'affordable.' It doesn't need to go lower than that," Gardner said in reference to the $75,000 price point.

"There's not even a question of going down. But I do think there are segments that we should play in. The growing segments are in mid-size SUV, full-size SUV, and we recognize that the small SUV is a growing premium segment but we just don't want to play that. We will leave that to Alfa. That's their world. We want to go midsize SUV and up, we want to be full-size car and up, and we want to be sports cars. We want Gran Turismo to be exactly what it is today, which is people look at it and go 'wow.'

Gardner also wanted to clarify that all of Maserati's new products wouldn't just be announced by 2022, they'll actually be available. "Look for us to put them in dealerships and into production by 2022," Gardner said. "I guarantee we will give you something fun to talk about every four to six months for the next X number of years."

Maserati Plans New Model Every Six Months Until 2022

 

[Freshforged]

Very aggressive timetable. Dealing with such small production runs offers them the flexibility to do just that. Their business model actually demands they be quick and responsive to their customer base. Much like Porsche to name one.

 

[Bili]

For the first time in almost a decade different person holds Maserati and Alfa CEO roles. I think that some fighting is going on. There is a rumor of a supersports mid engine Maserati. Will it replace or supplement Alfieri (Ferrari aluminium spaceframe) is a question.

Maserati-Ferrari relationship is also interesting. I had suspected that relationship had deteriorated with the death of Sergio Marchionne. Contract for engine supply will not be renewed and last engines from Ferrari to Maserati will be supplied in 2021 or maybe 2022. That's according to a Ferrari's conference call. What will replace Ferrari engines? Both V6 60°called Ferrari F160 and V8 F154 are supplied by Ferrari.

And very likely this had repercussions on Alfieri project unless this project just has a common roots with Ferrari but otherwise it's a totally unrelated fork.

Production flexibility? Yes, it's at a totally different level compared to anything other from FCA including Alfa. Some lines were set up for just 30 or maybe 40 thousands units per year. Some supersports model will be produced for just 4 years with 2000 units per year.
I suspect that @TripleT could explain this much better than me.

 

[Blown7]

Does Maserati make money?

 

[TripleT]

OMG I made the mistake of going to the same thread on Allpar. The ignorance there is stagger. I don't know if I have the time or energy to go through the differences in cost and approach between a low volume model and a production model from Fiat, Chrysler, Dodge, and Ram. Everything is different in scale, automation, and approach. Every step is less capital focus and more labor focus. So the Capital expense of implementation is a order of Magnitude different. I like try to compare your local wedding cake baker to Hostess. There is NO reason for the childish sibling jealousy shown on the other site..... I be glad to explain it more to those who are specifically interested in that approach. When @Bili posted it, I thought whats he asking because I just assumed people would understand the differences between the implementation. But then I read the other site and I want to pull my hair out.

 

[TripleT]

It really per component and per assembly process difference. Somewhere between what Mark Warmon does and what Belvedere does, on that scale way toward Ferrari and Warmon. Carbon Epoxy become viable. Rapid tooling methods. Stamping dies out glass urethane instead of steel. Aluminum injection molded tools in common mold blocks, hand operated Jigs and welding operations, rolling model down in hand pushed carriers ......… it goes on forever to every component and every operation it not apples and oranges..... its grapes and watermelons.

 

[Bili]

I can say. They are planning Maserati line up to consist 8 models in total.

3 sports cars:
Alfieri with BEV version, codename M165
New generation GT/GC, codename M189 which replaced M162 project
New mid engine supersport model, codename should be M240 and actually we could see it before Alfieri

2 sedans:
Ghibli, current one has project code M157, 2nd MCA due as MY21
Quattroporte, M156, 2nd MCA due as MY21

3 SUV models:
D segment SUV, Stelvio's sibling, code 8090 and M182
Levante, project code M161
F segment SUV, code M184

@Blown7
Maserati has very high EBIT margin potential which it showed back in 2016 with 9.7% and even higher 13.8% in 2017.
But to keep it on this segment it commands constant investments. For example Maserati will be the first one of FCA brands to get Level 3 ADAS. That's part of JV with Mobileye and BMW. Other brands will follow.


Just a quick look at some planned powertrains:

 

[Blown7]

I don't understand Italian but I am impressed with what I can make out like a 2 liter Turbo making 330 HP
And a 4 liter turbo making 590 HP .

I thought all European stuff was labeled in Kilowatts verses Horsepower??

 

[Bili]

I don't understand Italian but I am impressed with what I can make out like a 2 liter Turbo making 330 HP

That's a long coming. Actually they didn't finalise "technology content". "Technology content" as if it has eBooster (electric supercharger) or not, is it a BSG MHEV or a more advanced P2 ( electric motor on transmission input) MHEV. Of course eBooster with P2 MHEV would be the best solution.
This engine must replace Pentastar engine block based Ferrari F160 3.0 V6 engine. The one with 330 and later with 350 HP. 410/430 HP version will be most likely replaced by a 2.9 V6 90° with around 450 HP, maybe less if they will add more engine options but no less than 400 HP. Actually all the way back in 2014 it was previewed as 450 HP. This engine is directly related to Alfa Romeo's V6 as is used on Quadrifoglio models and it will be assembled at Termoli by FCA.

And a 4 liter turbo making 590 HP.

It's 3.8 and it's already in use by Levante Trofeo. But in my opinion it would be better to use a 4 liter engine. It can be done.

Speaking about Quattroporte and Ghibli with that engine I'm not sure if it will happen. We are speaking about current generation if I'm not mistaken. Quattroporte already has 3.8 with 530 HP as an option.

I thought all European stuff was labeled in Kilowatts verses Horsepower??

Legislative that's correct. But all people and most if not all carmakers are using HP in speech or technical data. Continental Europe and its HP is actually used as PS acronym.
Horsepower - Wikipedia

 

[Cody's Car Conundrum]

I just want to bring special attention to the fact that @Bili said the new Ghibli and Quattroporte would be a Model Year 2021 vehicle.

Nothing is certain, but that could mean we'll see the new Ghibli and Quattroporte as soon as NEXT YEAR!

 

[Bili]

I just want to bring special attention to the fact that @Bili said the new Ghibli and Quattroporte would be a Model Year 2021 vehicle.

No all new but another MCA (Mid Cycle Refresh). We will some novelties including new technologies for autonomous driving and most likely some new engines.

 

[AlfaCuda]

Three Coupes/Sports cars. Wow! Great news. I love the styling on the Alfieri. Hope most of it is carried over to the production version.

What led to the breakdown in the Ferrari relationship?