Maserati Concept Cars

1. Maserati Alfieri Concept

Forget subtlety. The Alfieri Concept is a head-turning explosion of Italian design passion wrapped around a thrilling driving experience.

The Maserati Alfieri Concept Car, unveiled with much fanfare at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, stands as a bold declaration of Maserati's future design direction and its commitment to embracing its rich heritage while forging ahead into the future.

Designed by a team led by Lorenzo Ramaciotti at the Maserati Centro Stile, the Alfieri concept is a 2+2 grand tourer that beautifully balances contemporary aesthetics with classic Maserati design elements. Its silhouette is a masterclass in automotive design, featuring a long, low nose, a gracefully sloping roofline, and muscular rear haunches that convey both elegance and dynamism.

Beneath its sculpted exterior, the Alfieri concept was envisioned with performance to match its striking looks. Though it remained a concept, the vehicle hinted at utilizing a front-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout, drawing power from a 4.7-liter V8 engine derived from the GranTurismo MC Stradale, producing around 460 horsepower. This power unit was expected to be paired with a sophisticated chassis and suspension setup, promising handling and agility worthy of the Maserati badge.

The Maserati Alfieri Concept Car captured the imagination of the automotive world, offering a tantalizing preview of what the future could hold for one of Italy's most storied marques.

2. Maserati Boomerang

Imagine a spaceship designed by an Italian fashion house. That's the Maserati Boomerang - Outrageous design and driving passion.

The Maserati Boomerang was not just a car, but a seminal piece of automotive design that left an indelible mark on the history of concept vehicles when it was unveiled in 1972. Crafted under the visionary eye of Giorgetto Giugiaro of Italdesign, the Boomerang was introduced as a fully functional prototype at the Geneva Motor Show, captivating attendees with its audacious and futuristic aesthetics. The Boomerang set the stage for the design language of many vehicles throughout the 1970s and beyond, with its sharp, angular lines and a wedge-shaped profile that became synonymous with the era's supercar design paradigm.

Built on the chassis of the Maserati Bora, the Boomerang was more than just a static show car; it was equipped with a powerful 4.7-liter V8 engine, delivering a formidable 310 horsepower. This powertrain enabled the Boomerang to reach impressive speeds, purportedly capable of hitting up to 300 km/h (186 mph), a testament to its performance pedigree under its striking exterior. However, it was the Boomerang's design rather than its performance that truly set it apart. Giugiaro's use of geometric shapes and a radically sloped windshield, along with the car's innovative and futuristic interior, showcased a bold departure from automotive norms and influenced the design of many iconic cars in the decades that followed.

The interior of the Maserati Boomerang was as revolutionary as its exterior, featuring a unique circular dashboard where the steering wheel and gauges formed a single unit that rotated around a fixed center. This avant-garde approach not only emphasized the car's futuristic intent but also highlighted Giugiaro's innovative approach to vehicle ergonomics and design.

3. Maserati Birdcage 75th

Developed as a collaboration between Maserati and Pininfarina to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the renowned Italian design house.

The Maserati Birdcage 75th, unveiled in 2005, stands as a monumental tribute to the illustrious history of Maserati and its long-standing tradition of groundbreaking automotive engineering and design. This concept car was developed as a collaboration between Maserati and Pininfarina to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the renowned Italian design house. The Birdcage 75th is a testament to the innovative spirit of both companies, seamlessly blending Maserati's rich racing heritage with futuristic design cues and cutting-edge technology.

Drawing inspiration from the legendary Maserati Tipo Birdcages of the early 1960s, the Birdcage 75th reimagines the iconic design language for the 21st century. The concept's name itself evokes images of the original Birdcage racers, so called due to their intricate and lightweight tubular chassis construction that resembled a bird's cage. The Birdcage 75th is underpinned by the carbon fiber chassis of the Maserati MC12 GT1 race car, ensuring that its performance credentials match its striking appearance. Its power comes from a mid-mounted, 6.0-liter V12 engine, propelling the Birdcage 75th with the same vigor that powered Maserati's racers to victory on the tracks.

The exterior of the Birdcage 75th is a marvel of aerodynamics and design. Its bodywork flows seamlessly from front to rear, with a glass canopy that envelops the cockpit, providing an almost uninterrupted 360-degree view. Inside, the Birdcage 75th is equally revolutionary. It eschews traditional instrumentation for a high-tech interface developed in collaboration with Motorola.

4. Maserati A8 GCS Touring

The A8 GCS Touring concept throws a nostalgic punch, reimagining a Maserati legend with sleek lines and heart-pounding performance.

The Maserati A8 GCS Touring married the brand's rich racing heritage with the timeless elegance for which Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera is renowned.

Unveiled to the world, this concept car is a modern interpretation of Maserati's racing pedigree, specifically paying homage to the A6 GCS models of the 1950s, which left an indelible mark on the racing circuits of their time. The A8 GCS Touring breathes new life into the ethos of those legendary racers, presenting a vision of modern grand touring wrapped in a package that exudes classical beauty.

Crafted with Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera's patented Superleggera (super light) construction method, the A8 GCS Touring showcases a body that is both lightweight and robust, enabling dynamic performance characteristics while maintaining a sleek, aerodynamic profile.

The design of the car is a masterful blend of retro and contemporary elements, featuring flowing lines, muscular haunches, and a long, sculpted hood that houses a powerful engine beneath. The front grille, adorned with the iconic Maserati trident, is flanked by aggressive headlights, making for a front fascia that is both menacing and majestic.

5. Maserati Chubasco

The Maserati Chubasco wasn't just a concept, it was a glimpse into a future of high-tech luxury and open-air thrills.

The Maserati Chubasco stands as an intriguing chapter in the storied history of the Italian marque, encapsulating a moment of transition and ambitious design that, while never reaching production, left a lasting impression on the automotive world.

Conceived in the early 1990s, during a period of renewed vigor under the leadership of Alejandro de Tomaso, the Chubasco was envisioned as a cutting-edge sports car that would propel Maserati into a new era, challenging competitors with its advanced technology and striking aesthetics.

Designed by the renowned Marcello Gandini, the mind behind iconic cars such as the Lamborghini Countach and the Lancia Stratos, the Chubasco was instantly recognizable for its sharp, angular lines and aggressive stance. Gandini's signature style was evident in the car's wedge-shaped profile, scissor doors, and bold, aerodynamic bodywork, which promised not only visual drama but also exceptional performance. The Chubasco's design was a clear departure from the more subdued styling of previous Maserati models, signaling the brand's intent to make a bold statement in the sports car segment.

Under the hood, the Chubasco was to be powered by a mid-mounted V8 engine, utilizing Maserati's expertise in crafting high-performance powertrains. This engine was expected to be paired with advanced chassis and suspension technologies, including all-wheel drive, to deliver dynamic handling and exhilarating acceleration. The interior, though less detailed in the available concept sketches and information, was anticipated to match the exterior's futuristic appeal, with a focus on driver engagement and cutting-edge technology.

6. Maserati Medici II

Forget cramped sports cars. The Medici II offered all the power of a Maserati with the comfort of a luxury apartment.

The Maserati Medici II, unveiled in 1976, is a remarkable example of visionary automotive design and a testament to the innovative spirit that has long defined Maserati. Following the original Medici concept introduced in 1974, the Medici II was designed by the renowned Italian design house Italdesign, under the guidance of the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro. This concept car was more than just a design study; it was an exploration into the future of luxury automotive transport, combining avant-garde aesthetics with practical innovations.

Building upon the foundation laid by its predecessor, the Medici II presented a more refined and feasible vision of a luxury car, with a focus on interior space and comfort. The vehicle's exterior was characterized by clean, angular lines that were ahead of its time, showcasing a departure from the curvaceous sports cars commonly associated with the Maserati brand. One of the most striking features of the Medici II was its exceptionally spacious interior, which was designed to offer unparalleled comfort and luxury to its passengers. The interior layout was highly innovative, featuring seating arrangements that prioritized passenger interaction and comfort, embodying the concept of a mobile living space.

Underneath its futuristic bodywork, the Medici II was based on the chassis of the Maserati Quattroporte, ensuring that the vehicle had the performance pedigree to match its groundbreaking design. While technical details were secondary to the concept's focus on design and luxury, the use of the Quattroporte platform suggested that the Medici II could offer performance and handling befitting of the Maserati name.