Maserati and Alfa plot new manual super-GT flagship
Words NZ Autocar | Images Stellantis
Maserati is considering a new flagship super-GT with V6 power and a manual gearbox. A limited-run creation, it could go on sale as early as next year. It promises to be the most powerful combustion-engined car the firm has produced.
Likely to be based on the Granturismo it will also be sold as an equivalent Alfa Romeo model.
Santo Ficili, the CEO of both brands, told UK Autocar: “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.”
The Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione was based on the previous Maserati Granturismo and similarly the 33 Stradale supercar was based on the MC20.
Ficili suggested the aim is to use the new flagship to celebrate Maserati’s Nettuno V6 engine. “It’s a masterpiece,” he said.
Any V6-powered limited-run special would ramp up the Nettuno’s output beyond the 463kW of the MCPura. However, electrification is unlikely to be employed to achieve a power boost.
Maserati engineering boss Davide Danesin said: “There are still customers looking for pure mechanical cars.” He added that many don’t want a battery on board a supercar because of the extra weight.
The Nettuno’s pre-chamber combustion technology and twin injection system help to cut emissions and boost performance. Maserati can keep the V6 in production with the same power even after Euro 7 regulations take hold in Nov 2026.
Big series production cars have moved away from manual transmissions but Maserati sees this as an opportunity. Danesin added: “It fulfils perfectly the brand…our approach and the mindset.”
Maserati will shortly begin production of the latest Granturismo and Grancabrio at its Modena factory. Expect the supercar to launch next year, as it is 100 years since Maserati launched its first car, the Tipo 26. And Alfa Romeo launched its 6C 1500 sports car a year later.
Alfa has already confirmed it will reveal a second supercar in 2026, following on from the 33 Stradale. The Italian was all set to go electric a few years ago, but has since backtracked on that, like many other European carmakers.
