Upcoming Maseratis To Generate New Alfa Romeos

MODENA, Italy — Maserati and its owner, Fiat, are developing a new platform family for the brand that will also yield some new high-end, rear-wheel-drive Alfa Romeos. The new platform will replace the Quattroporte sedan and eventually, the GranTurismo coupe and convertible as well.

The platform will have a "high aluminum content," say insiders, as part of an effort to reduce weight, which is excessive in all of Maserati's current models. The platform will also be capable of accommodating the hybrid drivetrains that Maserati will likely borrow from Ferrari. There's no word yet on an introduction date, but a new Quattroporte must be two to three years off.

Alfa Romeo will also take advantage of this new platform to offer some new rear-wheel-drive models, almost certainly a coupe and a convertible to replace the limited-edition 8C Competizione. That makes considerable sense. The success of the 8C, a sell-out limited edition priced far higher than Alfa's mainstream range, has demonstrated that the brand can command exotic prices if the product is appealing enough.

The 8C, which uses Maserati hardware, is also built for Alfa at Maserati's Modena base, and the factory has the capacity to build another small run of Alfas. It is not yet clear whether these new Alfa Romeos would also be limited editions or permanent, low-volume additions to the range, but they will undoubtedly be offered in the U.S. as part of the brand's plan to re-establish itself in the U.S. market.

Inside Line says: This strategy makes sense — it allows Maserati to access high-tech body technology through platform sharing and helps Alfa with its re-entry into segments it left more than half a century ago. — Richard Bremner, Correspondent