Alfieri sports car to be first Maserati electric car

Maserati Alfieri Concept

Maserati’s first electric car will be a new sports car based on the stunning Alfieri concept car unveiled at the 2014 Geneva auto show, according to Autocar.

The British publication, without citing a source, reports that Maserati is targeting a 2020 launch date for its electric sports car, one year after the arrival of a conventional, V-6-powered version.

The new follows comments made in October by Maserati engineering boss Roberto Fedeli that the company’s first electric car would arrive in 2020. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne has also hinted that the Alfieri-based sports car could get an electric option.

Autocar also reports that the electric sports car will likely require a new platform that’s capable of other electric and conventional powertrains. Maserati engineer Davide Danesin in April described the new platform as being lighter and with a lower center of gravity compared to Maserati’s existing platform.

The Alfieri-based sports car was originally due in 2018 but a lack of a suitable platform meant the project was delayed. Instead, Maserati will initially launch a redesigned GranTurismo and GranTurismo Convertible based its rear-wheel-drive platform underpinning the Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans, with the Alfieri-based sports car to follow.