The CEO of Maserati North America Doesn't Exclude the Possibility of Front-Wheel Drive Vehicles in the Future

The CEO of Maserati North America Doesn’t Exclude the Possibility of Front-Wheel Drive Vehicles in the Future

Maserati has always had a pretty clear vision: to produce high-end vehicles that make a statement wherever they go. The Italian car manufacturer, with its roots in racing, prioritizes more than just appearance. Renowned for its historic racing machines, Maserati has traditionally steered clear of front-wheel-drive cars.

There’s no immediate plan for a front-wheel-drive model. However, in a conversation with The Drive, William Peffer, the CEO of Maserati North America, hinted at the possibility of a future front-wheel-drive Maserati. Supported by the resources of its parent company Stellantis, Peffer suggests that the company’s scope has expanded significantly.

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Maserati reinforced its position as a serious competitor in the sports car segment with the MC20 supercar. Equipped with advanced pre-chamber ignition and generating 621 horsepower from a relatively compact 3.0-liter V6 engine, it’s a formidable machine, fitting for a brand with such a rich racing heritage. While the era of consecutive Maserati Grand Prix wins is a thing of the past, the company now even offers an SUV called the Levante.

An all-wheel-drive SUV could be seen as a departure from Maserati’s pure brand image. Yet, as the CEO articulated, alternative options like front-wheel drive are not entirely ruled out.

“With the establishment of Stellantis, we have the flexibility and resources to contemplate our future. We will adapt to the evolving customer trends,” stated Peffer. “Today, I won’t categorically negate the possibility of front-wheel drive. However, I also won’t confirm any active developments in that direction.”

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This announcement coincides with Stellantis, the world’s third-largest automaker, continuing to establish its position. Having been officially launched in January of this year, the company has entered a highly competitive automotive market. As electrification looms on the horizon for both the fledgling company and Maserati, compromises may need to be made, including potentially sharing a platform that isn’t the top choice. Peffer acknowledges this reality.

“Our identity is not built on that,” he expressed to The Drive. “We embody rear-wheel drive and traditional luxury performance. The MC20 epitomizes our core values.”

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