It’s not possible to be a high-end automaker in right this moment’s market with out at the very least teasing an electrical mannequin, and Maserati’s Folgore (Italian for lightning) line was supposed to fill that area of interest. After delays to the deliberate battery-electric GranTurismo Folgore and Grecale Folgore, Maserati has additionally made the choice to delay — if not scrap altogether — the electrical Quattroporte sedan. Maser claims it’s involved concerning the efficiency numbers its electrical machines are producing, however Italian media means that Stellantis is seeking to considerably reduce the model’s prices.
The previous-generation Maserati Quattroporte (pictured above) exited manufacturing in This fall of 2023. It was obtainable with both V6 or V8 powertrains, neither of which have been electrified. The model’s different sedan, the smaller Ghibli, additionally ended manufacturing late final yr, and received’t get replaced. The next-gen QP is meant to be the one sedan within the Maser lineup. This quarter, the model is planning to put off 1,000 workers from the Mirafiori manufacturing facility the place the Quattroporte was made, and the Modena manufacturing facility which produces the MC20 sports activities automobile will even see a further 220 workers laid off attributable to “steep decrease in market demand” for the quarter-million greenback two-seater.
Stellantis has allegedly requested suppliers for a discount in elements prices by six %, following the same discount request in 2023. The comparatively small quantity of Maserati doesn’t actually pull a lot economies-of-scale weight with suppliers, and in right this moment’s high-inflation market, a six % reduce is definitely a lot worse than it sounds. If provide can’t hit Stellantis’ excessive calls for, is it doable the electrical sedan will likely be scrapped altogether?
Maserati’s CEO was quoted by Italian newspaper La Repubblica as saying the “successor to the Quattroporte will be all-electric and will be unveiled in early 2025.” Automotive News Europe experiences that the corporate has suspended all growth of the electrical sedan due to “the need to take zero risks on the performance level of the new car.” It appears unlikely the sedan will see the sunshine of day in early 2025, or perhaps ever.
If, after six generations stretching again to 1963, that is how the legendary Quattroporte dies, it’ll be a tragic loss of life certainly.
Source: jalopnik.com