Maserati MC20 launch delayed

Maserati's plan to reveal its all-new MC20 supercar and roadmap a bold new strategy for its future has been ppostponed in the wake of the global Coronavirus outbreak.

Originally set for late May at the sports car maker's spiritual home in Modena, Maserati's 'MMXX: The Way Forward' event will now take place in September.

Apart from revealing the mid-engined MC20 at the MMXX (2020) event, Maserati was expected to detail how it plans to transition to pure-electric power and how electrification will radically change its range of supercars, sports cars, limos, sedans and SUVs.

Later this year Maserati says it will launch a hybrid version of its existing Ghibli sedan that will also debut the car-maker's autonomous driving technology.

Next year, the second-generation GranTurismo will be introduced as Maserati's first EV, followed by the new GranCabrio in 2022.

Also in 2021, Maserati says it will introduce an all-new mid-size SUV to sit below the large Levante, although it has not confirmed if that car is destined for a full-electric powertrain.

Ensuring it is ready for the move to electrification, Maserati’s parent company Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has already invested €800 million ($A1.3 billion) on upgrading the Mirafiori factory for a new line that is capable of building electric vehicles.

It’s not been confirmed what will be made at Mirafiori, but another $1.3 billion will be spent at Alfa Romeo’s Cassino plant near Naples for yet another dedicated production line for battery-powered cars and it’s there where the new sub-Levante SUV is set to be built.

Despite the new line at Mirafiori, Maserati’s all-new flagship supercar -- which will come with the option of either full-electric or plug-in hybrid V8 powertrains -- will be made closer to home at the car-maker’s Modena HQ from this year.

Once the all-new supercar, the all-new smaller SUV and the new GranTurismo/Cabrio have been launched, Maserati will switch its attentions to readying replacements for both the Quattroporte limousine and Levante SUV, in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Before then, both models will receive a facelift.