Maserati is considering a limited-run flagship super-grand tourer model, featuring the marque’s Nettuno V6 engine – but even more interestingly, it could actually feature a manual gearbox. The car is also said to have an Alfa Romeo twin — similar to how the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale was based on the Maserati MC20 (now called MCPura) — and may debut as early as next year, according to a reported by Autocar.
Speaking to the publication earlier this month at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Maserati and Alfa Romeo Chief Executive Officer, Santo Ficili said, “We have infinite possibilities to customise products for our customers, for the entire range of Maserati. I’m imagining to do something like we did in the past, also considering Alfa Romeo.”
Ficili highlighted previous collaborations between the two brands, including the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, which was based on the Maserati GranTurismo. The 8C was even built alongside the GranTurismo at Maserati’s Modena plant — the same site later used to produce the Alfa Romeo 4C.
For a limited-run model, Maserati would likely tune the Nettuno V6 engine for more power than the 621 hp currently found in the MCPura — all without electrification. Maserati engineering boss, Davide Danesin said that “there are still customers looking for pure mechanical cars”, adding that there is a “bad feeling” about having a battery in a supercar, due to the increased weight and complexity.
According to Danesin, the pre-chamber combustion technology and twin injection system of the Nettuno engine can help reduce emissions and boost performance. He added that the engine is “getting to 210hp per litre with very efficient combustion”, allowing the MCPura to remain a pure internal combustion (ICE) supercar with impressive power, even under upcoming Euro 7 regulations.
What we’re more intrigued by, though, was that Danesin also hinted at the return of a manual gearbox in the limited-run Maserati — the brand’s first in years. Danesin said, “A manual gearbox is an opportunity. I don’t see that in big series [production], but why not do a special version with a manual gearbox? No reason to say never. It could be the right choice for a limited edition of a car.”
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“By doing a purely mechanical car, it does make sense to have a mechanical gearbox with a shifter,” he said. “So why not? It fulfils perfectly the brand. It fulfils perfectly our approach and the mindset. So honestly, I think one day we’ll do it,” he added.
Moving forward, Ficili plans to emphasise Maserati’s Italian heritage, noting that the company’s headquarters in Modena, “the middle of Motor Valley”, is “the right place” to build sports cars. This plant will also be manufacturing the next generation of GranTurismo and GranCabrio cars, and added that any new V6 special edition models will be based on these cars.
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