Maserati mulls replatforming delayed saloon EV to ensure it’s outstanding in all areas
CHARLIE MARTIN
Maserati is deciding whether to move the next-generation Quattroporte onto an extended version of the new Granturismo’s bespoke platform, its chief engineer has revealed to Autocar.
The seventh-generation luxury saloon was originally scheduled to arrive next year as Maserati’s first electric-only model. However, the Italian brand recently delayed it until 2028, due to “the need to take zero risks on the performance level”.
Davide Danesin, chief engineer of the Quattroporte and Granturismo, told Autocar that development was around halfway complete before the delay, adding that it won’t be restarted from a clean slate but could make the switch to a new platform.
The Quattroporte was previously understood to be based on Stellantis’s new STLA Large platform, which will make its production debut under Dodge’s new Charger Daytona muscle car.
Asked whether STLA Large was still the platform of choice, Danesin said Maserati had “not yet decided”, adding: “I’m not saying it’s not. I think that the optimisation we’re looking for is optimisation of what is already available.”
To that end, the company is also considering stretching the Granturismo platform. Danesin said it could “potentially” work for the Quattroporte, hailing two key benefits of its design: agility and a driving position comparable to that of combustion-engined GTs.
These attributes are a result of the electric Granturismo’s T-shaped battery. This means the front seats are placed next to it, rather than on top of it, lowering the driving position compared with an EV atop a conventional skateboard-style platform. The layout is also said to reduce body pitch and roll.
Danesin described the Granturismo platform as “Giorgio-inspired”, referring to the Alfa Romeo platform that underpins that brand’s Giulia saloon and Stelvio SUV, as well as Maserati’s Grecale SUV.
He explained: “There aren’t too many common parts; there are some new parts. But some of the basic concepts behind the design have been preserved, especially the geometry of the front suspension.
“It’s Giorgio-inspired. Internally, we call it Giorgio Sport, because it’s 60% aluminium, whereas Giorgio was only steel.”
Danesin also reiterated that the electric Quattroporte’s performance was insufficient in its pre-delay form, highlighting issues includi
