2023 Maserati Levante Modena on 2040-cars

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Only best-performing US Fiat dealers to get Alfa Romeo franchises

Alfa Romeo has been rumored to return to the US market so many times for so many years, it's hard to keep count. This time, though, Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne promises that it's for real. Alfa is scheduled to reappear in the States this summer with its 4C sports coupe as its introductory model. However, buyers won't be able to pop into just any Fiat showroom and leave with a 4C – it's planning to only sell Alfas at its best-performing dealers, according to The Detroit News. In fact, the first 4Cs sold here won't be sold at Fiat dealers at all. Instead the first shipment of cars in June will go to Maserati dealers, not unlike the handful of Alfa 8C Competizione coupe and convertible models that trickled in starting in 2008. According to Fiat Chrysler spokesperson Rick Deneau, the company is still deciding which Fiat retailers will participate in Alfa's reentry. Many of Fiat's US dealers are apparently not happy with the meritocracy approach. They built Fiat showrooms partially on the promise that Alfa would enter the US market in 2012, then 2013, and now later this year. Even worse for them, the prospects for more mainstream Alfa Romeo models in the US are still questionable. This isn't the first time that we've heard that Fiat plans to keep Alfa Romeo exclusive in the US. Still, Fiat only plans to export about a 1,000 4C sports coupes a year here. If Alfa wants to be a legitimate player in America and be a money-making concern globally, it will need far more sales than that. Featured Gallery 2015 Alfa Romeo 4C: First Drive View 57 Photos News Source: The Detroit NewsImage Credit: Copyright 2014 Matt Davis / AOL Earnings/Financials Marketing/Advertising Alfa Romeo Fiat Maserati Coupe Performance Sergio Marchionne alfa romeo 4c fiat dealers

Maserati Ghibli dies by 2024, replaced by smaller Quattroporte EV

In March, when Maserati divulged some of its electrification plans, the automaker's head of product planning said: "We strongly believe that there is a future for the sedan, but probably not for two sedans. One will be enough to meet demand." The company made it clear which of its two sedans would get the nod by letting the world know that the next-gen Quattroporte sedan and Levante crossover would get electric powertrains only. We have a timeline for the demise of the smaller four-door, Maserati's Australian general manager Grant Barling telling Australian news outlet Drive that "The Ghibli will move into run-out phase into 2024." Assuming international markets are on the same timeline, that gives Ghibli intenders two years to stump up the cash for the mid-size Italian thoroughbred. What's good for the Ghibli, but bad for enthusiasts, is that the BMW 5 Series competitor won't cross the Styx alone — it's taking the Ferrari-sourced F154 twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 with it. In Ghibli Trofeo trim, that engine produces 580 horsepower, 538 pound-feet of torque, and an engine note that will let every creature in the underworld know, "I'm coming."  And yet the Ghibli isn't going away completely. Barling said, "The plan is for the Ghibli and Quattroporte to become one. So the Quattroporte will become a short-wheelbase [model] – Ghibli-sized, but called a Quattroporte." Seems Maserati likes the Ghibli sales volumes but Quattroporte brand recognition. The Ghibli made up 33% of Maserati's global sales last year while the Quattroporte only accounted for 7%. The former nameplate returned in 2013 as a four-door sedan after being a 2+2 grand tourer hardtop and convertible as well as a four-seat coupe, while the Quattroporte has been on sale as a luxury sedan continuously through six generations since 1963.  If there's an ICE engine to keep the Maserati sound alive, it will be the twin-turbo 3.0-liter Nettuno V6 launched with the MC20. The Folgore electric trims will be responsible for the other side of Maserati sound, starting with the GranTurismo Folgore debuting next year with three motors and around 1,200 horespower.   Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Maserati Grecale walkaround

Leno profiles Pebble Beach-winning 1956 Maserati

We enjoy it when Jay Leno and his web show, Jay Leno's Garage, take a look at new, modern cars. When the comedian gets his paws on a proper classic, though, he's at his best. Leno is able to display an impressive breadth of knowledge about even obscure models, and that's no different here, as the winner of its class at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, a 1956 Maserati A6G-2000 Allemano rolls into the garage.
Part of the Maserati A6 family, this A6G is one of just 21 cars produced with coachwork by Carrozzeria Allemano, making it one of the rarer cars to grace Jay Leno's Garage. It's powered by a 2.0-liter inline-six, and, as Leno points out, is far more of a road car than the race-oriented Maseratis of the day.
Scroll down for the latest episode from Jay Leno's Garage on this fully restored 1956 Maserati.