Intro
As the global auto industry shifts toward electrification, Maserati is exploring new ways to stay competitive. The Italian luxury automaker is currently evaluating plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models for future vehicles — with the next-generation Quattroporte sedan and the Levante SUV at the center of this new strategy.
Maserati’s Shift Towards Electrification
In a recent statement, Maserati CEO Santo Ficili confirmed the brand’s intention to expand its powertrain lineup. The goal? To provide more flexible options for customers and clarify the differences between hybrid types, which many buyers still find confusing.
Currently, Maserati offers three types of engines across its range:
- Pure V6 petrol engines
- Mild-hybrid four-cylinder turbo engines
- Full battery-electric (EV) models
Now, the company is looking to add PHEVs and expand its mild-hybrid options as a bridge technology before going fully electric in the future.
Platform Limitations — And a Solution
One challenge Maserati faces is that its current platforms can’t support PHEV systems. However, help may come from within the Stellantis family.
Alfa Romeo, Maserati’s sister brand, is preparing to launch the new Stelvio SUV and Giulia sedan on the STLA Large platform — a next-gen architecture that supports ICE, hybrid, and electric powertrains.
Maserati could use this flexible platform to develop the next-gen Quattroporte and Levante, allowing quicker integration of plug-in hybrid options without a complete redesign.
What This Means for the Quattroporte and Levante
Originally, the seventh-generation Quattroporte was meant to debut in 2023 as Maserati’s first fully electric sedan. But the launch has now been pushed to 2028 to ensure top-tier performance.
With plug-in hybrids now under consideration, Maserati may first release a PHEV version of the Quattroporte based on Alfa Romeo’s Giulia platform. This would allow the company to test market response, bridge technology gaps, and retain performance expectations.
Likewise, the next-gen Levante SUV could be redesigned using the Alfa Stelvio architecture, making it more competitive in the luxury SUV market — especially against rivals like the Porsche Cayenne.
Why This Strategy Matters
By leveraging Stellantis’s STLA Large platform, Maserati gains:
- Faster product development
- Cost-effective engineering synergies
- Improved market readiness for hybrid variants
- A broader offering across sedan and SUV segments
This could also help boost Maserati’s profitability and showroom traffic during its transition to a fully electric brand in the coming decade.
Final Thoughts
Maserati’s potential move to introduce plug-in hybrid versions of its most iconic models — the Quattroporte and Levante — is a smart step. It not only allows the brand to remain competitive in today’s evolving luxury market but also helps prepare customers for a fully electric future without sacrificing the performance and design Maserati is known for.
The automotive world will be watching closely as Maserati finalizes its hybrid strategy — and as 2028 approaches, the next Quattroporte could very well become a game-changer in the world of luxury performance sedans.
