The history of Maserati is rooted in the Maserati family, specifically the brothers Alfieri, Ettore, Ernesto, Bindo, and Mario. The pivotal figure in the company’s formation was Alfieri Maserati, who, alongside his brothers Ettore and Ernesto, founded Società Anonima Officine Alfieri Maserati in Bologna on 1 December 1914. Initially, the enterprise functioned as a workshop specialising in automobile mechanics and engineering. 3

The founders were driven by a shared passion for:

• Automobile engineering
• Mechanical design
• Speed
• Racing
• Engine development

This background is significant because Maserati emerged from motorsport rather than luxury car manufacturing. Its foundational identity was that of a racing and engineering firm. The company remained based in Bologna until 1939, when operations relocated to Modena, the city now synonymous with the brand. 4

The Maserati narrative is unique due to the distinct roles played by various family members.

Alfieri Maserati

Alfieri Maserati was the central founder and served as one of the company’s principal engineers and drivers. He was instrumental in developing Maserati’s early racing cars before his premature death in 1932, after which his brothers continued the company’s development.

Ettore Maserati

Ettore focused primarily on the technical and mechanical aspects of the business, assisting in management during its formative years.

Ernesto Maserati

Ernesto became a key engineer and racing driver in the company’s early history, playing a vital role in the development of Grand Prix cars.

Bindo Maserati

Bindo joined the firm in 1932 following Alfieri’s passing and subsequently became a significant member of the organisation. 5

Mario Maserati

Unlike his siblings, Mario was interested in art rather than engineering or racing. Ironically, he was responsible for creating perhaps the most enduring element of Maserati’s visual identity: the Trident logo.

The Maserati Trident ranks among the most recognisable symbols in the automotive sector. According to historical accounts, Mario Maserati drew inspiration from the statue of Neptune in Bologna’s Piazza Maggiore, which depicts the god wielding a three-pronged spear, or trident. 6

This imagery was particularly apt as Neptune represented:

• Strength
• Power
• Authority
• The sea
• Mythology

Furthermore, Neptune was traditionally associated with horses, creating an indirect link to horsepower and motorsport. 7 The Trident made its official debut in 1926 on the Maserati Tipo 26.

Red and blue colour scheme

The familiar oval badge eventually adopted red and blue, colours historically associated with Bologna, reflecting the deep connection between the city’s identity and Maserati’s origins. 8 In 2026, the marque celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Trident.

The Tipo 26 marked a crucial milestone in the company’s history. Developed in 1926, it was the first car built entirely by Maserati and the first to bear the Trident badge. 9 It debuted at the Targa Florio in Sicily on 25 April 1926, driven by Alfieri Maserati with Guerino Bertocchi serving as riding mechanic.

The outcome was historically significant:

1st in its 1,500 cc class and 8th overall.

This victory established a core tenet of Maserati’s identity: the company was created to compete. 10

Motorsport forms the foundation of Maserati’s brand identity. During the pre-war era, the marque competed against manufacturers such as Bugatti, Alfa Romeo, Mercedes-Benz, and Auto Union, achieving considerable success in European Grand Prix racing.

Key achievements include:

• Victories in major European Grand Prix events
• Multiple Targa Florio wins
• Victories at the Indianapolis 500
• Formula 1 victories
• The 1957 Formula 1 World Championship
• Success with the MC12 in FIA GT racing

Notably, Maserati won the Indianapolis 500 in 1939 and 1940, while its racing cars secured four consecutive Targa Florio victories from 1937 through 1940. 11

Maserati was a prominent manufacturer in the early years of Formula 1. Its greatest achievement came in 1957, when Argentine legend Juan Manuel Fangio won the World Championship driving a Maserati 250F. The 250F subsequently became one of the most celebrated Grand Prix cars of the 1950s. Official records credit Maserati with nine Formula 1 victories and Fangio’s 1957 title as cornerstones of its racing legacy.

Maserati eventually expanded beyond pure racing machinery, adopting a distinctive philosophy: build a road car that retains the spirit of a racing machine. Rather than competing directly with mass-market luxury manufacturers, the brand carved out a niche centred on:

• High-performance grand touring
• Elegant Italian styling
• Powerful engines
• Long-distance comfort
• Exclusivity
• Motorsport-derived technology

This approach produced some of the most renowned Italian performance cars of the 20th century.

The Maserati 250F warrants special mention as one of the defining racing cars of the 1950s. Built for Grand Prix competition, its elegant proportions, front-engine layout, and racing success helped establish the visual language associated with classic Maserati. Its most famous pilot was Juan Manuel Fangio, who used a 250F to secure the 1957 World Championship.

During the 1960s, Maserati shifted focus toward road-going grand tourers. Instead of producing cars designed primarily for racing, the company began creating automobiles that combined performance, luxury, comfort, and Italian style. A pivotal model was the Maserati 3500 GT, which established the template for the brand’s future: a sophisticated Italian luxury automobile capable of serious performance. This GT philosophy remains central to the company today.

The name Quattroporte translates literally to “four doors” in Italian and has become one of Maserati’s most significant model names. Introduced in the 1960s, the original Quattroporte effectively created the category of the high-performance luxury four-door sedan. By combining attributes of both luxury sedans and sports cars, it established a lineage that continues to define the marque.

The Citroën era

Following financial difficulties in the 1960s and 1970s, Maserati came under the control of Citroën in 1968. This period saw technological experimentation, resulting in vehicles like the Citroën SM, which utilised a Maserati V6 engine. However, the relationship ended amidst significant financial challenges, illustrating the brand’s recurring ability to survive ownership changes while preserving its Italian identity.

Alejandro De Tomaso era

Subsequently, Alejandro De Tomaso took control, shifting strategy toward more accessible performance cars. The Biturbo, introduced in the early 1980s, significantly expanded Maserati’s market reach. Despite controversy regarding reliability, the Biturbo family was crucial to the company’s survival and established its association with twin-turbocharged performance engines.

Fiat, Ferrari, and modernisation

Maserati later entered the Fiat corporate sphere and, in the late 1990s, came under the control of Ferrari. This partnership brought substantial investment and modernisation, enabling Maserati to develop cars competitive with premium German and British manufacturers while retaining Italian character. Key products of this transformation included the 3200 GT, Spyder, Coupé, Quattroporte, and GranTurismo.

GranTurismo

The GranTurismo embodies the classic Italian Gran Turismo philosophy: a beautiful, fast car designed for rapid long-distance travel in luxury. Rather than focusing solely on track performance, the GranTurismo represents the heart of the Maserati brand, prioritising emotional engagement and touring capability.

MC12

Introduced in the 2000s, the MC12 was heavily influenced by motorsport and developed to mark Maserati’s return to international GT racing. The racing version achieved six international FIA GT championships between 2005 and 2010, making it one of the marque’s most successful modern competition cars. 12 With its dramatic styling, mid-mounted V12, carbon-fibre construction, and limited production, the MC12 is now considered highly collectible.

MC20

The MC20 (Maserati Corse 2020) marked the return of a genuine mid-engined supercar to the lineup. Its defining feature is the Nettuno V6, a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine featuring advanced combustion technology derived from motorsport. The MC20 demonstrates that Maserati remains a dedicated performance-car company.

Grecale

The Grecale represents Maserati’s entry into the compact luxury SUV segment, positioned below the larger Levante. It combines SUV practicality with Maserati styling, luxury interiors, and performance-oriented powertrains. The latest range introduced in 2026 includes updated Grecale versions equipped with the Nettuno V6. 13

Levante

As Maserati’s first SUV, the Levante (named after a Mediterranean wind) was strategically vital in adapting to the global shift toward utility vehicles. It enabled the brand to compete against rivals such as the Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5, and Range Rover Sport, transforming Maserati from a specialised GT manufacturer into a broader luxury automobile brand.

As of 2026, Maserati’s portfolio centres on several key families:

• Grecale: Compact/midsize luxury SUV
• GranTurismo: Flagship modern grand tourer
• GranCabrio: Convertible variant of the GranTurismo
• MC20: Mid-engined supercar
• MCPURA: Evolution of the high-performance mid-engined concept, available as a coupe and convertible (MCPURA Cielo)
• GT2 Stradale: Road-going performance model linked to the GT2 racing programme

The current configurator lists the Grecale, GranTurismo, GranCabrio, MCPURA, MCPURA Cielo, GT2 Stradale, MC20, and MC20 Cielo. 14

Maserati has entered the electric era under the Folgore sub-brand, meaning “lightning” in Italian. This designation applies to electric performance vehicles, including the GranTurismo Folgore, GranCabrio Folgore, and Grecale Folgore. The strategy aims to preserve the traditional blend of luxury and performance while transitioning to electric propulsion, with product updates continuing through 2026. 15

Maserati occupies a distinct position in the luxury market, defined by several core concepts:

• Italian design: Emphasis on proportions, exterior styling, and craftsmanship
• Grand touring: Prioritising the ability to travel quickly and comfortably over extreme track focus
• Motorsport heritage: Maintaining racing history as central to brand identity
• Exclusivity: Lower production volumes compared to mass-market premium brands
• Emotional character: Focus on engine sound, dramatic styling, tactile controls, and distinctive interiors

Design language

Maserati’s design traditionally features a long bonnet, low roofline, short front overhangs, flowing bodywork, and a large grille with a prominent Trident. The three side vents are a signature motif, serving as a visual reference to the Trident. 16 The large front grille maintains a strong vertical emphasis, providing instant recognition without reliance on oversized badging.

Engine technology

Engine development has always been central to the marque. Historically, Maserati has produced inline-six, V6, V8, and V12 engines, along with turbocharged, supercharged, and naturally aspirated racing units. The modern Nettuno V6 represents the current high-performance philosophy.

Sonic signature

Engine sound is integral to Maserati’s identity. Older models, particularly those with V8 engines, are renowned for their distinctive exhaust note, contributing to the brand’s association with Italian automotive emotion. While Ferrari represents extreme performance and Porsche engineering precision, Maserati is traditionally associated with elegant performance and grand touring.

Maserati vs Ferrari

Despite historical connections, the two marques differ significantly:

Maserati’s ideal customer typically seeks a fast, luxurious, and distinctive Italian car suitable for everyday driving and long-distance touring.

Maserati vs Porsche

While occupying overlapping segments, Porsche is generally associated with engineering precision and usability, whereas Maserati emphasises Italian design, exclusivity, and emotional character. A Porsche buyer may prioritise technical optimisation, while a Maserati buyer often seeks emotional distinctiveness.

Although born in Bologna, Maserati has been strongly associated with Modena since 1939. The headquarters are located at Viale Ciro Menotti 322, 41121 Modena, Italy. 17 Modena sits within Emilia-Romagna, a region known as Italy’s Motor Valley, home to numerous performance car manufacturers.

In popular culture, Maserati is linked to Italian sophistication, celebrities, fashion, and high society. Its relatively low production volumes maintain an image of exclusivity; unlike mass-recognition brands, Maserati’s appeal has traditionally relied on connoisseurship.

At its core, Maserati represents a specific Italian interpretation of luxury defined by performance, elegance, craftsmanship, design, and racing heritage. Its ideal vehicle is neither a pure race car nor a traditional limousine, but a luxury performance machine capable of crossing continents at high speed—the essence of the Gran Turismo philosophy.

Major models

• Racing cars: Tipo 26, 4CM, 8CM, 250F, 450S, Tipo 61 “Birdcage”, MC12 GT1, Maserati GT2
• Classic road cars: A6, 3500 GT, Sebring, Mistral, Ghibli, Bora, Khamsin, Indy, Biturbo, Shamal
• Modern cars: 3200 GT, Spyder, Coupé, Quattroporte, GranTurismo, GranCabrio, Ghibli, Levante, MC12, MC20, Grecale, MCPURA

Racing achievements

• 1926: Tipo 26 wins class at Targa Florio
• 1937–1940: Four consecutive Targa Florio victories
• 1939 & 1940: Indianapolis 500 victories
• 1957: Juan Manuel Fangio wins F1 World Championship
• 2005–2010: MC12 wins six FIA GT international championships
• 2023 onward: Maserati GT2 returns brand to closed-wheel competition 18

2026 is a landmark year as the brand celebrates 100 years of the Trident, marking the centenary of its debut on the Tipo 26 at the 1926 Targa Florio. Celebrations coincide with updates to the Grecale, GranTurismo, and GranCabrio families. 19

The current strategy combines three directions:

1. Traditional luxury GTs: GranTurismo and GranCabrio
2. Modern performance cars: MCPURA, MC20, and GT2 Stradale
3. Luxury SUVs and electrification: Grecale and Folgore models

This approach preserves Maserati’s historical identity while adapting to the modern luxury market.

Maserati is an Italian luxury and performance-car manufacturer founded in Bologna in 1914 by Alfieri Maserati and his brothers. Originally a racing and engineering company, Maserati became famous during the 1920s–1950s for Grand Prix competition, including Juan Manuel Fangio’s 1957 Formula 1 World Championship. Its iconic Trident logo, designed by Mario Maserati and inspired by Bologna’s Fountain of Neptune, first appeared on the Tipo 26 in 1926. Over the following century, Maserati evolved from a racing-car manufacturer into a producer of luxury grand tourers, sports cars, sedans and SUVs, creating legendary models such as the 250F, 3500 GT, Ghibli, Quattroporte, GranTurismo, MC12 and MC20. Today, based in Modena and operating under Stellantis, Maserati continues to position itself as an Italian luxury-performance brand centered on design, craftsmanship, grand touring and motorsport heritage, while expanding into electrification through its Folgore range. 20

Key facts

• Founded: 1914, Bologna
• Home: Modena
• Symbol: Trident
• Born from: Racing
• Specialty: Italian luxury performance
• Signature philosophy: Grand Touring
• Famous engine eras: V6, V8, V12 and modern Nettuno V6
• Most famous racing car: 250F / MC12
• Most famous luxury nameplate: Quattroporte
• Most famous GT: GranTurismo
• Modern supercar: MC20 / MCPURA
• Modern SUV: Grecale
• Electric identity: Folgore
• Parent company: Stellantis
• 2026 milestone: 100 years of the Trident 21

1. A History of Innovation – Excellence since 1914 | Maserati
2. Maserati Celebrates Its 111th Anniversary: The Story of the Trident | Maserati US
3. Maserati logo: origin of the Trident logo | Maserati US
4. The Maserati Trident logo: a century of design and racing | Maserati
5. Maserati Story
6. Maserati: 100 years today | Maserati | Stellantis Media
7. Maserati: 111th Birthday ahead of the Year of the Trident | Maserati | Stellantis Media
8. The New Maserati Range Debuts in the Year of the Trident | Maserati GB
9. NEW MASERATI GRANTURISMO, GRANCABRIO, AND GRECALE | Maserati | Stellantis Media
10. Maserati Build and Price | Maserati MY
11. Die neue Maserati Modellreihe debütiert im Jahr des Dreizacks | Maserati AT
12. New Maserati GranTurismo, GranCabrio and Grecale | Maserati | Stellantis Media
13. The New Maserati Range Debuts in the Year of the Trident | Maserati
14. Maserati Trident centenary celebrated in heart of Motor Valley | Maserati | Stellantis Media
15. Road Testing Continues for Maserati GranTurismo, GranCabrio, and Grecale | Maserati | Stellantis Media
16. First 100 Hundred Years of the Maserati Trident, an Iconic Logo Between the Racetrack and Legend | Maserati | Stellantis Media
17. The first hundred years of the Maserati Trident, an iconic logo between the racetrack and legend | Maserati | Stellantis Media
18. I primi cent’anni del Tridente Maserati, un logo iconico tra pista e leggenda | Maserati | Stellantis Media
19. Maserati Logo History (1926–Today): Every Redesign Explained
20. Maserati: 111th Birthday ahead of the Year of the Trident | Maserati | Stellantis Media
21. Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio Range Come Home: A New Chapter Begins in Modena | Maserati | Stellantis Media