As part of FCA’s €5bn (US$5.5bn) investment program for Italy, Maserati has announced its future plans for production, electrification and autonomous driving technologies.
All new Maserati models will offer a range of autonomous driving capabilities, starting with Level 2 enhanced highway assist functionality and progressing to Level 3 with hands-off lane maneuvering capabilities and an automated system to bring the vehicle to a safe stop at the side of the road if the driver is unable to take control of the vehicle.
With regard to production, Maserati announced plans for a line-up of new and electrified products at Modena, Cassino and Turin. Maserati’s all-electric models will combine traditional Maserati values with next-generation battery electric technology, offering unique driving modes, extended range and ultra-fast charging capabilities.
Scheduled to launch in 2020, the Maserati Ghibli, produced in Turin, will be the first hybrid electric propulsion for the brand. Next up will be a new Maserati utility vehicle with approximately €800m (US$877m) being invested in the new production line, scheduled to open at the end of the first quarter of 2020. The first pre-series cars are expected to roll off the line by 2021. The GranTurismo and GranCabrio models will herald the full electrification era for Maserati. The totally new GranTurismo and GranCabrio will be produced at the Turin production hub, where FCA is investing an additional €800m (US$877m).
Construction has already begun in Modena on a paint shop, a new feature for the plant, which will be equipped with innovative, low environmental-impact technologies. The design of the paint shop will also allow Maserati customers to watch their car being painted.
Neil Garbacik, who is in charge of advancing ADAS system safety and security – systems and components at FCA, will be speaking at the Autonomous Vehicle Test & Development Symposium. He will be discussing the Safety First for Automated Driving (SaFAD) program.
