Maserati
Luxury, Performance, and the Trident: The Soul of Italian Gran Turismo
Introduction
Maserati’s story is one of racing pedigree evolving into effortless luxury. Founded by the Maserati brothers, the brand first made its name on the racetrack, achieving legendary victories in Grand Prix racing and endurance events. While always maintaining a sporting character, Maserati carved out a unique niche by blending high performance with sublime comfort and elegant, understated style. A Maserati is not a brute-force supercar; it is a sophisticated Gran Turismo—a car designed for crossing continents at high speed in absolute luxury, all while sounding magnificent.
| Detail | Information |
| Founded | 1914 (by the Maserati brothers) |
| HeadQuarters | Modena, Italy |
| Symbol | Trident (from statue of Neptune in Bologna) |
| First Car | Maserati Tipo 26 (1926) |
| Philosophy | Luxury, sports and style cast in exclusive cars |
| Parent Company | Stellantis |
Iconic Maserati Engines
- Twin-Spark Inline-6 (1950s-1960s): The race-bred classic. A dual-ignition inline-six that powered iconic road cars like the 3500 GT and race cars like the 250F.
- V8 (1959-2019): The long-running powerhouse. A large-displacement, naturally aspirated V8 that evolved over decades, powering legends like the Ghibli, Bora, and Quattroporte.
- F136 V8 (2007-2019): The Ferrari-derived masterpiece. A 4.2L and 4.7L V8 developed by Ferrari, used in the GranTurismo and providing an intoxicating sound and performance.
- F160 Twin-Turbo V6 (2013-Present): The modern workhorse. A twin-turbocharged V6 used in the Ghibli, Quattroporte, and Levante, offering a blend of power and efficiency.
- Nettuno Twin-Turbo V6 (2020-Present): The return to racing tech. A 3.0L twin-turbo V6 with F1-derived pre-chamber ignition (“Twin Combustion”), debuting in the MC20 supercar.
Legendary Maserati Models
- Maserati 3500 GT (1957-1964): The car that saved Maserati. The first mass-produced Maserati, it transitioned the brand from a pure race car builder to a maker of luxurious and fast grand tourers.
- Maserati Ghibli (1st Gen) (1967-1973): The stunning GT. A front-engine, rear-drive coupe with gorgeous styling by Ghia, offered with powerful V8 engines.
- Maserati Bora (1971-1978): The mid-engine flagship. Maserati’s first mid-engine production car, designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, featuring a Citroën-powered hydraulic system.
- Maserati GranTurismo (2007-2019): The modern icon. A beautiful 2+2 coupe and convertible, renowned for its stunning Pininfarina design and glorious Ferrari-sourced V8 sound.
- Maserati Quattroporte (1963-Present): The original sports sedan. The name means “four doors,” and it has consistently combined sedan practicality with high performance and luxury.
- Maserati Khamsin (1974-1982): The last of the Bertone classics. A front-engine GT with sharp, modern styling and a powerful V8.
- Maserati MC12 (2004-2005): The hypercar homologation special. A street-legal version of the Maserati Enzo-based race car, built to homologate Maserati’s return to GT racing.
The Trident’s Dual Soul
Maserati has always lived with a dual identity: racing beast and luxurious cruiser. This is perfectly encapsulated in its two greatest icons: the MC12 and the Quattroporte. The MC12 represents the pinnacle of track-focused performance, a barely disguised race car built to win championships. The Quattroporte represents the other extreme: a spacious, opulent sedan that never forgets its sporting DNA, capable of transporting four people in supreme comfort at autobahn speeds. This ability to be both things at once is the unique essence of Maserati.