The coronavirus epidemic is bad not only for car manufacturing and sales, but also for new model launches.
Maserati has learned this the hard way as it realized the planned unveiling of its electrified sports car in May 2020 was not feasible. As a result, the luxury car manufacturer has pushed back the brand relaunch event “MMXX: The Way Forward” to September “in light of the current situation”.
“As previously stated, the event will be held in Modena and will inaugurate the brand’s new era”, Maserati says in a short statement. The release includes no details regarding the car (or cars) the automaker will unveil in September but we already know the headline act will be the sports car previously known as the Alfieri.
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Same place. Same magic. New date.#Maserati #MaseratiMMXX #MaseratiMC20https://t.co/S7CB5N6dcp pic.twitter.com/nyjaJEW4BR— Maserati (@Maserati_HQ) March 18, 2020
Maserati has stopped referring to that model as the Alfieri for quite a while now, using the “all-new sports car” label instead. This means it could get a different name but no one will mind that as long as the “super sports model” will be thrilling enough.
Chances are it will, since it will combine gasoline power with electricity as part of a high-performance PHEV powertrain with e-AWD. Later on, the model will also offer an all-electric powertrain consisting of three electric motors, all-wheel drive and 800V battery technology.
Back in 2018, Maserati’s capital markets day presentation revealed some key details about the new sports car, including the fact it would use an aluminum space frame platform. At the time, we also learned the model would accelerate from 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in around 2 seconds and have a top speed in excess of 186 mph (300 km/h). The new Maserati sports car is expected to get a convertible variant as well somewhere in 2021.
Knowing FCA’s chronically unstable product plans, we should take some of these specs and plans with a grain of salt. Here’s hoping the coronavirus outbreak will be contained until September and we’ll finally be able to see the long-overdue Alfieri – or whatever Maserati decides to call it.
