Maserati is a key element of Fiat’s plan to return to profitability in Europe and the luxury brand will embark on its largest product expansion to date. We already knew that the company would launch the Levante SUV next year, but what is surprising is that the Modena-based carmaker will also build the Alfieri, in both coupe and cabriolet versions.

The Alfieri coupe will arrive in 2016, followed by a drop-top version a year later. Even more surprising is the fact that Alfieri will not replace the GranTurismo, which will carry on in its current form until 2018, when a replacement model is scheduled to launch.

Assuming all goes according to plan, by 2018 Maserati will expand its lineup from the current four models (Ghibli, Quattroporte, GranTurismo, GranCabrio) to six models (Ghibli, Quattroporte, Levante, Alfieri Coupe, Alfieri Cabriolet and GranTurismo).

RWD Alfieris will be powered by a 410hp V6 engine, while all-wheel-drive models will offer the choice of two V6 engines, a 450hp and a 520hp unit. The Levante SUV will be offered with an entry-level 350hp V6 petrol unit, a 425 hp V6 petrol and a 560+hp V8 petrol, but the bulk of sales (in Europe at least) will be taken by the three available diesel engines: 250hp, 275hp and 340hp. The 560+hp V8 engine will also be offered on the Ghibli, Quattroporte and GranTurismo.

With the launch of all these new models and variants, Maserati hopes to increase sales fivefold, from 15,400 units last year to 75,000 units in 2018, with revenues also expected to rise from €1.7 billion last year to more than 6 billion in 2018.

No one can blame us for being skeptical about some of the product announcements made today at Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles' HQ, but in the case of Maserati, we're less wary simply because the Trident brand has actually delivered in the past couple of years, and even offered a conceptualized vision of the cars it wants to make – such as the beautiful Alfieri Coupe.

Originally, at the sport coupe's world premiere at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show in March, Maserati said the concept "hints at the brand's stylistic intentions for the near future", but today, it confirmed a production version of the coupe for 2016 followed by a convertible the next year.

Since it's no longer a flight of fantasy but a production-intent concept, what a better way to celebrate the news than with a multitude of photos, right?

The Alfieri will sit under the GranTurismo series, itself to be replaced by a new model in 2018. According to Maserati, the Alfieri series will be offered with a choice of three powertrains, including a base rear-wheel drive model fitted with a 410PS (404hp) turbocharged V6, and two all-wheel drive versions, also featuring a turbo'd V6, but with outputs of 450PS (444hp) and 520PS (513hp) respectively.

Possible opponents of the Alfieri include the Porsche 911, Jaguar F-Type and depending on the price, perhaps even certain versions of Chevrolet's Corvette Stingray (notice any similarities in the tail?).

The stunning Maserati Alfieri will become a production model, likely making an appearance by 2016.

The Italian automaker has shared plans for its future, revealing that the Alfieri coupe and cabriolet models are heading to production while the GranTurismo and GranCabrio will also be replaced by 2018. In addition, the Maserati Levante SUV appears to be making its debut next year.

As for the company’s powerplants, the 2018 model year will see a boost in performance, with the Ghibli, Quattroporte, Levante and GranTurismo models all receiving at least 560 hp from a V8 engine. There will also be an expansion on its V6 engines, with 350- and 450-hp offerings going to the Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans while the Levante will have the options of a 350-hp V6 or a 425-hp unit. The Alfieri will not receive a V8 option but will have 410-, 450- and 520-hp V6 engines available.

Expect more diesel engines to be heading to the Ghibli, Quattroporte and Levante as well ranging from 250 hp to 340 hp. Ultimately, Maserati hopes to grow sales from 15,400 units to 75,000 units.

“Maserati will deliver double-digit margins throughout the plan period,” said Harald Wester, chief executive of the Alfa Romeo, Maserati and Abarth brands.

The new Maserati Alfieri Concept is possibly the most beautiful (if not, the sexiest) model of the company. For the first time you see and hear the Alfieri revving up the 4.7L V8 engine and then driving around Villa d'Este. No wonder the crowd goes crazy, the Alfieri has been declared as the winner in the Concept Cars category of this year's show! This car will be a massive success and a great way to push the sales of the brand as it's confirmed that will hit the production in 2016.

Will be offered exclusively with V6 engines

Fiat's Head of Design has revealed some new details about the 2016 / 2017 Maserati Alfieri.
Speaking to Piston Heads, Lorenzo Ramaciotti said "If you put the concept and the production car together it will be impossible to see the difference." He went on to say the model will be a proper sports car and will have about as much interior room as the Audi TT and Porsche 911.

As we have previously reported, the Alfieri will be offered as a coupe and convertible with rear- or all-wheel drive. Power will be provided exclusively by a V6 engine that has outputs of 410 PS (301 kW), 450 PS (331 kW) and 520 PS (382 kW).

The model won't replace the GranTurismo as Maserati has plans to introduce a redesigned model in 2018. It will be larger and more powerful than the Alfieri as it will feature a V8 engine that develops more than 560 PS (412 kW).

2016 Maserati Alfieri will look just like the concept

To be offered exclusively with a 3.0-liter engine

A new report is indicating the Maserati Alfieri will be launched in 2016 as a coupe that will be followed by a convertible a year after.

Autocar also says the model will likely keep its name when it goes on sale. The sports coupe will be a core model for the brand, which aims to sell 75,000 cars in 2018.

“While we don't expect it to be a big seller, we do expect it to anchor all values that are core to Maserati, and have a halo effect in drawing customers to us,” Maserati UK marketing director James Cowan commeted. “While our sales target of 75,000 cars by 2018 is ambitious, it is important that people recognize Maserati's core values of exclusivity and luxury remain. The Alfieri is the perfect car to do that job - it will be as desirable as a Jaguar F-type or Porsche 911 but considerably more exclusive, and as a result special.”

The Alfieri will be based on an adapted version of the platform that underpins Maserati Ghibli and Quattroporte models. The entry-level model will be powered by a 410 PS (301 kW) variant of the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, while the range-topping all-wheel drive modification will have 450 PS (331 kW) and 520 PS (382 kW) outputs. The convertible is expected to be offered with the same engine lineup with prices starting at around 60,000 GBP (75,780 EUR).

The past 100 years have not only defined us, they have prepared us. The future is taking is shape. Season's greetings from Maserati!