Maserati Alfieri 2020: official spy shots, specs, price and release

Maserati has begun development of an all-new model that’s rumoured to be a production version of its Alfieri concept from 2014.

The Italian marque has released a set of “spy shots” of a camouflage-wrapped test mule based on the 4C sports car from Alfa Romeo, Maserati’s sister company in the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) group.

While the development car features a mid-engined layout, it’s “widely expected” that the vehicle is being used as a test bed for a new six-cylinder engine that will power the reborn Alfieri project, says Autocar.

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It may not be long before fans find out what Maserati has up its sleeve. The motoring magazine claims that details on the test car’s camouflage wraps point to an unveiling in May, shortly after the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Price and release

With very few details available on the Alfieri, it’s difficult to predict a price tag and which cars it’ll compete against on the forecourts.

Automobile, the sister title of US car mag Motor Trend, estimates a price of around $140,000 (£108,000), putting it in a similar bracket to the £120,000 Aston Martin Vantage and £98,000 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S.

The car is set to appear in production form in May, with orders expected to open towards the end of the year.

Design

Despite the test mule sporting a similar look to Alfa Romeo’s mid-engined 4C sports car, the final product should mirror the same front-engined design of the Alfieri concept (above) that first appeared at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show.

The Alfieri concept sports a 2+2 layout, consisting of two regular seats at the front and a pair of smaller seats in the back for children or luggage.

Ahead of the cabin is a long, sculpted bonnet with a low nose. The car’s front end is almost identical to that of the Levante SUV, with ultra-thin LED headlights and a vast grille adorned with the Maserati trident.

The back end, meanwhile, is far more minimalist. Its sloping roofline and cam-tail rear bumper harks back to the grand touring racers of the late 1950s and early 60s, while the large vents on either side of the number plate holder give it a more modern look.

But given the concept’s age, there’s a chance Maserati may still drastically alter the Alfieri’s design – perhaps even shifting it to a mid-engined layout as seen on the development cars.

Engine specs

According to Motor1, Maserati is developing a new six-cylinder engine for the Alfieri.

Technical details are scarce, but PistonHeads claims that the engine will be smaller than the 3.8 and 4.7-litre Ferrari engines found in Maserati’s current line-up and will be electrified to “boost” performance.

At some stage, Maserati is expected to release an all-electric version of the Alfieri and will act as a halo product for its range, the motoring site says.