Maserati: We want a hypercar

Maserati is considering a successor to its 2004 MC12 supercar, according to a new report, following remarks made by the Italian brand’s boss in a recent interview.

Before he departed the position of Maserati boss, Harald Wester admitted to Brit car mag Autocar that the Ferrari suster brand was considering producing another low-volume, or limited-edition, supercar in the future but "not yet".

Refusing to detail if the new small-volume sports car will be based on the LaFerrari hypercar, or a more mainstream Ferrari model, Wester explained that Maserati is ideally placed to take on a limited-run model because of the car-maker's small size.

Wester claimed that with just 1100 employees Maserati is both agile and flexible enough to take on a new small-volume project.

To explain his reasoning, Wester described in the interview how his car-maker currently makes the carbon-fibre-bodied 4C sportscar for Alfa Romeo and, before that, built the Alfa 8C Competizione supercar.

It's hoped the small-volume car Maserati's boss is hinting at will be a modern interpretation of the MC12 that was sold briefly between 2004-2005.

Potentially using the LaFerrari as a starting point, the firm could once again create a high-downforce version, reclothing the carbon-fibre monocoque hypercar in a bespoke body.

The MC12 was based on the Ferrari Enzo but featured a different aero pakage that made the MC12 road car a very capable racer.

Powered by the same 460kW/652Nm 6.0-litre V12 as the Enzo, the original Maserati supercar could hit 100km/h in less than 3.8 seconds but had a lower top speed than the Ferrari at 330km/h on account of its greater downforce.

Originally criticised for its tricky on-the-limit handling, on the race circuit the MC12 went on to famously beat Ferrari in the FIA GT Manufacturer's Cup in 2005 and was still winning races, and championships, well into 2010.

As well as wanting a supercar, Wester also shared with Autocar his future product plans for the rest of the Maserati range, including an MY17 update for the Ghibli.

Likely to mirror the changes made to the MY17 Quattroporte, which arrives here later this year, the MY17 Ghibli is expected to appear at October's Paris motor show before going on sale early next year.

The Maserati boss also confirmed the GranTurismo that was first introduced in 2007 will be killed off in 2017.

"The GranTursimo will go when it is 10 years old", Wester said.

Instead of another large GT, the Maserati boss said the replacement for the current coupe "will not be to the same formula" -- hinting that some radical changes may be on the cards.

Wester also let slip that the next-gen GranTurismo will be responsible for "accelerating technology" within the brand, suggesting it could have a state-of-the-art powertrain or feature autonomous driving aids.

A convertible version is not likely be included in the plans for the GranTurismo's replacement, claimed Wester, who said a lack of demand in China might kill off the drop-top’s business case.

Finally, the former Maserati boss suggested prices could rise across all models following  claims -- possibly emanating from executives at Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, which owns Maserati -- that its current range of vehicles were selling too cheaply.

Wester said prices will increase gradually rather than suddenly.