Maserati set to introduce hybrids by 2020
News
26 Jan 2016
Maserati is set to introduce hybrid powertrains in most future models in order to hit emissions targets by 2020.
The upcoming Levante SUV has already been confirmed to be offered with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, and Autocar reports that the Quattroporte, GranTurismo, GranCabrio and Ghibli will now also come with a hybrid option by the end of the decade.
Maserati boss Harald Wester has been critical of electric vehicles in the past, describing them as ‘nonsense’ back in 2013 and arguing that they are not the solution to reducing emissions.
However, Giulio Pastore, Maserati’s European general manager, has now said that the manufacturer simply ‘has to do it’ as there is a government and customer demand.
Speaking to Autocar, Pastore said: “We have to do it - it’s that simple. In some countries where it is highly incentivised, they will be a success, in others maybe less so, but there is government and customer demand for such cars.
“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.”
