What Happened to the Alfieri?
Discussion
anonymous-user said:
Where did it go? Is it dead? No announcements other than a long list of missed production windows.
Anyone know?
The story is actually quite sad really. Contrary to popular belief (one I had for many years, until someone told me the real story last year) it was only ever supposed to be a concept car. Reason being is that the architecture was set up for a twin-turbocharged V6, rather than the Ferrari California-derived V8 (itself a stolen Maserati project), which at the time they didn't quite have with the right minerals. The V8 couldn't be made to fit reliably – it simply wasn't designed that way and at the time Maserati had SUV-shaped ambitions, which did actually pay off for the first four or five years. Anyone know?
Of course, Ferrari saw the rapturous response and thought 'aaah'. That's why the Roma/Aflieri looks like it does. So while the Roma/Aflieri might look a bit like the Alfieri, it's not quite accurate to say that Ferrari took it away from Maserati (on this occasion).
Funnily enough, they depreciate like a Maserati, which is quite something for Ferrari owners,
However, the general idea of the Alfieri could return. When I was at the Meccanica Lirica press event last year, a few ideas were on the table. SUVs are Maserati's core unit-seller these days, but they would like to do a Quattroporte. But more tantalising is the idea of a two-seat/2+2 underneath the GranTurismo, without the expensive four-wheel-drive system, spun off the Giulia platform.
The original concept car is available to view in the museum https://www.paninimotormuseum.it/ Still looks marvellous in the flesh and if you're passing it's a lovely little museum for an hour stroll around & drooling!
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