Maserati turns 100 this year, and as part of the celebrations the Italian automaker has rolled out the stunning Alfieri concept car at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show taking place today. The concept is a 2+2 coupe and is named after Alfieri Maserati, who, in 1914 with the help of his four brothers, started the Maserati company.
The Alfieri draws its inspiration from archetypal Maseratis such as the 1953 A6 GCS-53, 1957 3500 GT, 1959 5000 GT and 1969 Indy. This link with Maserati’s past sporting greats helps Maserati re-establish its true orientation in terms of design and production.
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If the new Quattroporte and Ghibli gave the impression that Maserati was becoming oriented towards sporty sedans, this new concept is striking back and reminding everybody that Maserati has a remarkable racing heritage and a unique tradition in exotic sports cars and grand tourers.
Maserati says the Alfieri hints at the brand’s future design language, but could it also preview a specific model? It’s certainly possible. In fact, Maserati states that the Alfieri could well be a door to the future of Maserati.
“The Alfieri is a transition point between 100 glorious years of history and the future that is opening up before us,” Maserati design boss Lorenzo Ramaciotti said in a statement. “I sincerely can’t say that we’ll see this car in production in two years, but I’m certain we’ll see something very similar.”
Maserati execs have confirmed in the past that the company is planning a smaller sports model along the lines of its previous GranSport. Designed to take on the likes of the Jaguar F-Type and Porsche 911, the new car would be positioned below the GranTurismo range as a sports offering, allowing the GranTurismo to grow in size and focus on the luxury coupe market.
Underpinning the Alfieri is a shortened version of the platform found in Maserati’s current GranTurismo MC Stradale. The engine also carries over from the GranTurismo; it’s a 4.7-liter V-8 mounted up front and delivering 460 horsepower to the rear wheels via Maserati’s MC Shift automated manual transmission and limited-slip rear differential.
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The Alfieri’s carbon ceramic disc brakes also come directly from the GranTurismo MC Stradale and are combined with blue Brembo brake calipers. The brakes sit within forged aluminum wheels measuring 20 inches in diameter up front and 21 inches in the rear. The custom wheels feature integrated decorative spokes that wink at the classic spoke wheels of the 1950s.
Maserati’s designers have gone with a minimalist theme for the interior. The suspended dashboard is conceptually inspired by that of the Maserati 5000 GT. The dashboard boasts a clean, organic, two-tone design built around a central digital display. The instrument panel has a classic layout with two main dials with two smaller ones in between. The edge of each is embellished with a small Maserati label.
As a special touch, the floor is finished in a material that imitates oxidized steel, a material commonly found on racing cars of the 1950s. Poltrona Frau aniline leather with a natural look and feel covers the seats, dashboard and center console.
Also present on Maserati’s stand at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show is the new Quattroporte Ermenegildo Zegna Limited Edition. For more from the show, head to our dedicated hub.
