Just a few years ago, the Italian automaker was showcasing an all-electric and arguably dull future— a vision driven by the former leadership of the Stellantis group. However, things have changed significantly since the departure of Carlos Tavares.
Maserati clearly has the wind in its sails lately, and the brand has just unveiled a new gasoline-powered supercar. The Italian automaker is more in tune with its customer base now, and that’s something that shows in its new products. In fact, the brand is well aware that there is strong demand for manual gearboxes in performance and prestige cars.
A Strong Comeback
Maserati has posted poor sales figures in recent years, but the brand is now poised for a powerful comeback. According to several sources, Maserati is expected to unveil a new performance car by the end of the year—and that’s not the only good news. It’s also expected that this model will offer a manual transmission. If this proves true, Maserati could see a major boost in popularity, especially since most of its direct competitors offer few—if any—manual options.
An Exclusive Model
For now, the talk is mostly about a limited-run, exclusive model, which is unfortunate because the manual gearbox won’t be widely accessible. Still, this should be seen as a test. If all goes well and the manual proves as popular as anticipated, it’s not impossible that we’ll see it offered in other production models in the coming years.
As for this mysterious new car, it's said to be a high-performance supercar. It could be powered by the legendary Nettuno V6 from the MC20—possibly with a bit of extra punch. Sure, this exotic new model won’t drastically change the brand’s current situation, but it’s a smart way to test new technologies. It also serves as a great publicity move for Maserati, since this kind of car always attracts attention.
In any case, I believe Maserati is moving in the right direction. Abandoning the idea of an electric MC20 was, in my opinion, an excellent decision. I truly believe there are exciting years ahead for the Italian automaker.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
