Production Maserati Alfieri May Have A Turbocharged V-6

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By  Stephen Edelstein

The Maserati Alfieri concept wowed audiences at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, helping the Italian brand celebrate its 100th anniversary in style. However, it wasn't just a piece of auto-show tinsel: Maserati noted that the Alfieri was a drivable prototype and, indeed, it may see production.

Autocar reports that a production Alfieri would use the same platform as the Maserati Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans, along with their turbocharged V-6 engines. That would be a major change from the concept, which was built on a shortened GranTurismo chassis and features that car's. 4.7-liter V-8.

Maserati currently has two versions of a 3.0-liter turbocharged V-6 in its arsenal. The base version produces 345 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, while a more potent one produces 404 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. It's all part of a reported plan to position the production car below the GranTurismo in Maserati's lineup, where it would serve as a sportier, more affordable. alternative that could compete with the Jaguar F-Type and Porsche 911.

While the name Alfieri itself is laden with heritage--Alfieri Maserati was the most prominent of the six brothers that founded the company--the production version could be named GranSport instead. This isn't the first time we've heard a report of a revived GranSport that would compete against the F-Type and 911. Maserati first confirmed the car back in 2012, but the details have been in flux ever since.

A sports car with the Alfieri's styling would further expand Maserati's sales volumes, but it probably won't arrive anytime soon. Maserati will launch the Levante SUV before considering another model.