Next-gen Maserati GranTurismo delayed, again

If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing properly.

Reading between the lines, this can be the only take-away feature in Maserati’s reported decision to delay its GranTurismo coupe (again) until 2020.

According to

According to Car, the platform is an all-new aluminium configuration that will underpin several new Maseratis, adding stiffness while slashing weight. The platform will purportedly be able to underpin internal combustion engine, hybrid and electric models.

The latter point is significant because – as an unnamed engineer tells the publication – Maserati is considering using electric assistance to improve the torque curve of the turbo engine set to be used in the GranTurismo. Tying in with the revised engine will be a newly-sourced eight-speed ZF transmission familiar with countless BMW, Land Rover, Jaguar and Audi models.

Maserati is set to show a concept previewing the production model in 2018, before the real deal lands some time in 2020.

The decision hangs further question marks over the timing of Maserati’s planned Porsche 911 fighter, the Alfieri, which was also due in 2020. It too has already been delayed despite assurances from Maserati in 2014 that it would deliver six new models by 2018.

Originally revealed at the 2014 Geneva motor show, the two-seat Alfieri (pictured) was initially scheduled to arrive in 2016. Now, based on previous discussions, the GranTurismo is set to pull rank in terms of release times.

“We won’t forget that Maserati is well known in its history for beautiful 2+2 GT cars and we will replace them [GranTurismo and GranCabrio] and then the Alfieri,” Maserati Europe’s boss Giulio Pastore said in October.

Maserati hopes it near decade-old GranTurismo and GranCarbrio convertible can bridge the gap in the line-up until then, having just received a light facelift.