Sales of the Fiat 500e and Maserati’s electrified models have experienced a downturn, attributed to a confluence of factors including a cooling market, rising interest rates, and inflationary pressures. Furthermore, both the 500e and the Maserati GT/GC models, regardless of powertrain, face challenges in their respective segments, failing to achieve market leadership.
In the United States, the Fiat 500e carries a premium price tag compared to competitors in the small electric vehicle market. The base model, the INSPI(RED) grade, starts at $32,500, while its range of 149 miles in the combined cycle falls short of competitors like the Chevrolet Equinox EV, which offers a significantly larger vehicle and a 319-mile range at a similar price point.
Maserati’s latest GranTurismo and GranCabrio models, while technically impressive, have fallen short of the iconic status of their predecessors. The absence of a powerful eight-cylinder engine is a notable omission for many enthusiasts. While Maserati touts the “Nettuno” engine as its own creation, it shares significant components with Ferrari’s 3.0-liter V6, with only the cylinder heads being unique to Maserati.
The electrified GranTurismo Folgore and GranCabrio Folgore, initially touted with over 1,200 horsepower, currently deliver 761 horsepower due to limitations in the current battery pack. This 92.5-kWh battery, with 83 usable kilowatt-hours, cannot support the initially promised power output.
Furthermore, Maserati’s reliance on the “Giorgio Sport” platform, a derivative of the platform used in the 2015 Alfa Romeo Giulia, may not provide the necessary differentiation for these high-end vehicles.
Maserati plans to address these challenges with the upcoming launch of the electrified MC20 supercar in 2025. An electric SUV to replace the Levante is expected in 2027, followed by the battery-electric next-generation Quattroporte in 2028.
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