Exotic · 4 models
Italian luxury sport heritage running back to 1914. The MC20, GranTurismo, and Quattroporte carry the modern lineage; the Bora and Merak define the classic mid-engine era.
ExoticMaserati is the Italian luxury sport brand founded in 1914 by the Maserati brothers (Alfieri, Bindo, Carlo, Ettore, and Ernesto). The brand built race cars and grand tourers throughout the 20th century, including the 250F that won Juan Manuel Fangio his fifth Formula One World Championship in 1957. The road car lineup in the modern Stellantis era includes the MC20 (the brand current halo), the GranTurismo (refreshed for 2024 with V6 and electric variants), the Quattroporte (the executive sedan, ending production with no announced direct successor), the Levante (the mid-size SUV), and the Grecale (the compact SUV). The MC20 (2020-present) is the modern halo. Twin-turbo 3.0 V6 (the Nettuno engine, developed in-house at Maserati after years using Ferrari-supplied engines) making 621 horsepower, mid-engine layout, carbon fiber monocoque chassis. Reviews have been positive; the MC20 is widely considered a credible competitor to the McLaren 720S and Ferrari 296 GTB. The classic Maserati era includes the Bora (1971-1978, the first mid-engine Maserati), the Merak (1972-1983, the smaller V6 mid-engine companion), the Khamsin (1974-1982, front-engine V8 grand tourer), the Mistral (1963-1970, Frua-designed grand tourer), and the various Tipo race cars. The 3500 GT, 5000 GT, Sebring, and Indy of the 1960s and 1970s extend the classic catalog. Maserati has had financial turbulence throughout the modern era. Multiple ownership changes (Citroën, De Tomaso, Chrysler, Fiat, now Stellantis) have shaped the modern brand. The Quattroporte and Levante have been the volume products; the MC20 and refreshed GranTurismo represent the brand attempt to re-establish credibility in performance segments. On WhipJury, Maserati submissions are heavy on GranTurismo (older 4.2 and 4.7 V8 examples), Quattroporte, and the modern MC20. Classic Bora and Khamsin examples appear occasionally and reliably do well in voting.
The MC20 launched in 2020 as Maserati first mid-engine supercar since the Bora era. The Nettuno engine (3.0 twin-turbo V6 with Formula One-derived pre-chamber combustion technology) makes 621 horsepower naturally. Carbon fiber monocoque chassis. Available as coupe, convertible, and recently announced fully electric variants. Reviews praised the chassis dynamics and the engine character. The MC20 is the brand attempt to re-establish credible supercar credentials.
The Bora (1971-1978) was Maserati first mid-engine production car, with a 4.7 to 4.9 liter V8 derived from the Ghibli grand tourer. The Merak (1972-1983) used a smaller 3.0 V6 (the Citroen SM-derived engine) in a similar chassis with rear seats fitted into the available space. Both cars are now classic Italian supercars and clean examples are appreciating. The era ended with the Bora wind-down in 1978 and the Merak in 1983.
GranTurismo submissions (especially the 4.7 MC Stradale variant) are common. Quattroporte sedans appear regularly. The MC20 has a small but growing presence as the model ages into the used market. Classic Bora and Merak examples are unicorns. The community treats Maserati as the underdog Italian alternative to Ferrari and Lamborghini.