We Hear: Maserati Hybrids Coming by 2020

Maserati plans to introduce hybrid powertrains in most of its vehicles by 2020, according to Autocar. The move is intended to help the automaker meet future corporate average emissions requirements.

In 2013, Wester called EVs “nonsense,” saying, “If we want a realistic solution then the regulators need to be more honest in how they calculate emissions. Electric cars are not the answer.”

Although Maserati boss Harald Wester hasn’t been warm to the idea of hybrid vehicles in the past, the Italian automaker will need them to meet government and customer demand.

“We have to do it – it’s that simple. In some countries where it is highly incentivized, they will be a success, in others maybe less so, but there is government and customer demand for such cars,” Giulio Pastore, Maserati’s European general manager, told Autocar. “What I can say is that we will only electrify our cars if it can be done without sacrificing performance. If there’s a sacrifice, then we won’t do it.”

The Italian automaker has already revealed that a plug-in hybrid powertrain will be offered on the upcoming Maserati Levante SUV. The report suggests that the powertrain option will also be offered on future versions of the Quattroporte, Ghibli, GranTurismo, and GranCabrio. The production version of the Maserati Alfieri sports car will likely feature a gas-only engine.

Source: Autocar

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