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330-horsepower Ghibli Hybrid is Maserati's first electrified model

Maserati kicked off its electrification campaign by releasing a hybrid version of the Ghibli, its entry-level model. The sedan gains a mild hybrid system, subtle visual tweaks, and many technology upgrades inside. Unveiled online, the brand's first production-bound electrified car features a gasoline-electric powertrain built around a turbocharged, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. It works jointly with a 48-volt belt-driven starter-generator and what the company calls an e-booster that's essentially an electric supercharger. The system's total output checks in at 330 horsepower at 5,750 rpm and 332 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm, and it channels its power to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential. Maserati quotes a 5.7-second sprint from zero to 62 mph, and a 159-mph top speed. While fuel economy figures are still being finalized, preliminary estimates peg the Hybrid's fuel consumption at about 27.6 mpg in a combined cycle, a figure which — if accurate — makes it less efficient than the 31.3-mpg diesel model it will replace. Adopting 48-volt technology was the best way to electrify the Ghibli, according to the brand. "We thought about a plug-in option for the Ghibli, but when you put a lot of batteries — and a lot of other stuff — into the car, it adds weight and it's going to jeopardize the performance and the fun-to-drive quotient that is key for Maserati. I'm not saying this to diminish the good points of the plug-in hybrid technology, but it's not the best solution here," Francesco Tonon, Maserati's head of global product planning and marketing, told Autoblog. Tonon pointed out making the Ghibli a hybrid wasn't an excuse to make it dull; it still needed to drive and sound like a Maserati. It's 176 pounds lighter than the diesel-burning model, and it offers better weight distribution because there is a lighter engine under the hood and some of the hybrid components are installed in the back. As for the sound, Tonon proudly explained his team gave the Ghibli a unique exhaust note worthy of the storied trident emblem without resorting to an amplifier, by tweaking the system and adopting resonators. Subtle design changes set the Hybrid model apart from the non-electrified Ghibli.

Maserati Fuoriserie customization program arrives in the U.S.

Furioserie means "custom-built" in Italian, and luxury automaker Maserati introduces the word to U.S. and Canada with its Fuoriserie customization program. Now, this isn't custom custom, the way one would order a one-of-one Ferrari. It's more like Maserati's version of BMW Individual or Mercedes-Benz designo, opening access to new styles and colors, but doing so with the starting point of three themed collections. We're not given too many details about how details distinguish the themes, but the Corse collection focuses on the brand's racing heritage, using "innovative pigments" to re-create historically accurate colors, and including "original components" (what other kind are there for an OEM?). Unica, which means "unique," serves fans of contemporary fashion, art and culture with color and materials palettes that look forward to next year's trends. Futura goes on ahead of the others, highlighting "an appreciation for technology and new materials" that balance performance with sustainability from the worlds of product design, interior decor and sportswear. As examples of what can be done, Maserati created three Fuoriserie vehicles. The Corse-dressed Ghibli Trofeo adopts a livery recalling the Maserati Birdcage in Trofeo Blu, with 21-inch dark Orione ("orion") wheels red brake calipers outside, black and grey sport seats with the brand's Zegna Pelletessuta leather coverings and gloss carbon macro twill trim inside. We're not sure which collection the Orange Zest Metallic Levante Trofeo with its 22-inch Orione wheels pulls from, but it's got a full grain black leather interior with contrast stitching in a "living coral" hue. The Quattroporte Trofeo gets Verde Royale Metallic exterior paint, a set of 21-inch Orione wheels with black brake calipers, and the same Zegna-dressed sport seats and gloss carbon macro twill trim. There's a survey Fuoriserie shoppers can take to find out which collection matches their personality. And that's only a starting point, Maserati saying that salespeople will work with the customer "to determine [the customer's core values" and so create an appropriately representative car.  Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Maserati confirms Levante SUV for 2015, Alfieri for 2016

The Maserati share of the big Fiat Chrysler event today was expected to be something of a snooze, at least relative to the very busy Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Alfa Romeo portions. But the truth is there was plenty to pay attention to where the premium Italian brand was concerned. After all, moving from its 15,400 unit sales in 2013 to a target of 75,000 global sales in 2018 is going to take some doing.
One piece of big news is a shakeup in the existing ranks. 2014 will mark the final year of production for the GranTurismo (and its soft-top counterpart), meaning Maserati will be limited to just its Quattroporte and Ghibli sedans until the Levante SUV arrives in 2015, confirming previous reports. The first SUV to wear the trident, the Levante will only be available with all-wheel drive, but it will boast a Porsche Macan-smiting pair of V6s, with 350 and 425 horsepower, respectively.
Things get back to normal in 2016, as Maserati resumes sports car production with a road-going version of the Alfieri Concept from the 2014 Geneva Motor Show. Again, this is confirmation of a previous report. That car will be joined by a convertible variant in 2017. It seems like Maser is taking aim at, well, everything with the Alfieri, offering a 410-hp, V6-powered variant that dispatches its power to the rear wheels, to go along with 450- and 520-hp versions of the Alfieri's V6 that will only get their power to the road through an all-wheel-drive system.