The Italian luxury car manufacturer Maserati, in difficulty for several years, announced Thursday that it would launch 13 new models by 2024, including a "
Supercar
", and completely electrify its range.
Read also: Luca de Meo launches his revolution for Renault
Its new “
Supercar
”, called MC20, is a luxury sports car with elytron doors (attached to the front fender and pivoting upwards).
The MC20 has a power of 630 hp thanks to the new Nettuno engine designed entirely by Maserati, in Modena (north), the headquarters of the house.
This twin-turbo V6 can go from 0 to 100 km / h in less than 2.9 seconds and reach a top speed of over 325 km / h.
While Maserati used Ferrari engines in recent years, Nettuno signs "
the return of Maserati to the production of its own powertrains after a hiatus of more than 20 years
", welcomed the brand to the Trident.
The group, which had not presented a new model since the launch of the Levante SUV (urban luxury 4X4) in 2016, intends to completely renew its range.
In addition to the MC20, it will launch 12 new models within four years, including a new SUV called Grecale, and update three existing models.
From 2022, Maserati's first fully electric vehicle, the GranTurismo, will be launched.
Maserati took its first steps towards electrification with the Ghibli Hybrid, launched in July.
Losing speed
"
All our new models will be electrified,
" will use "
the most advanced connectivity systems
" and a new "
combustion engine inspired by Formula 1 technology
," said Davide Grasso, boss of Maserati, brand of the Italian manufacturer. American Fiat Chrysler (FCA).
"
With the MC20, we are laying the cornerstone to build the future of Maserati (...) it is the beginning of a new era
", he assured during the presentation with great fanfare on Wednesday evening of this Supercar, which will begin production at the end of 2020.
The brand is losing momentum.
After experiencing a sharp increase in sales in 2016 (+ 30%) and 2017 (+ 22%), reaching a peak of 51,500 cars that year, it has since suffered a continuous decline: -32% in 2018 and -45 % in 2019 (with only 19,300 vehicles).
And 2020, with the coronavirus epidemic, has been devastating as for the entire sector.
“
Maserati's problem is that it is situated between luxury (Aston Martin, Bentley, etc.), a segment in difficulty, and the Supercar market (Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc.), which is growing, with full order books over 6 months or a year, and which has been able to extend its range to models intended for a wider audience,
”Carlo Alberto Carnevale-Maffè, professor of strategy at Bocconi University, told AFP. Milan.
"
The brand had been very well relaunched by Sergio Marchionne (the ex-boss of FCA), especially in the United States, but
Maserati then had its ups and downs until it was in crisis".
Read also: Maserati MC20, the return of the Trident on the sports scene
With its new range, the group estimates that in 2025 it will achieve 70% of its sales in the SUV segment (+ 40% compared to 2019) and 15% in sports sedans (+ 52%).
