Maserati mastery: how the Trident brand is blending heritage and hybrid power
Published on Mar 03, 2026 at 10:46 AM | By Alessandro Renesis
Modena in Italy is the epicenter of Maserati, the Trident brand.
Even though, ironically, the Trident is actually a tribute to the neighboring city of Bologna.
Founded in 1914, Maserati is older than both Lamborghini and Ferrari, but it sometimes doesn’t really get the credit it deserves.
From the early days in Italy’s most supercar-friendly region to the modern hybrid era, it’s been a ride.
Maserati – The Trident’s legacy
The Maserati brothers – Alfieri, Bindo, Carlo, Ettore, and Ernesto – began working on cars because they wanted to combine artistry with engineering.
And they also wanted to win races.
They started with the legendary Tipo 26, and then the championship-winning 250F piloted by Sir Stirling Moss (pictured above) and Juan Manuel Fangio.
But the Italian automaker has pioneered the ‘gran turismo’ spirit – traveling long distances at high speeds, and in total luxury.
From tradition to transformation
The automotive world is currently navigating its most significant pivot since the invention of the internal combustion engine.
For a brand so deeply rooted in the ‘visceral,’ the shift toward electrification isn’t easy.
Maserati’s answer began with a measured, intelligent approach to hybrid technology.
The Ghibli Hybrid and Levante Hybrid served as the brand’s ‘diplomatic’ bridge to the future, integrating 48-volt mild-hybrid systems with turbocharged four-cylinder engines.
Maserati combined performance with efficiency, and the car still came with a recognizable sound.
Maserati MC20 and MC20 Cielo
In recent years, Maserati also began building ‘proper’ supercars again.
They did it with the MC20, which was also a statement of total independence because, for the first time in ages, the car used an engine developed entirely in-house: the Nettuno engine.
This 621-horsepower, 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 is a masterpiece of modern engineering, featuring a patented twin-combustion system derived directly from Formula 1.
The MC20 Cielo, its open-top sibling, takes this engineering precision and adds a layer of emotional experience with a retractable glass roof that can turn from transparent to opaque at the touch of a button.
The Folgore era – Maserati’s attempt at electrifying emotions
The Italian manufacturer also tried electrifying its cars with Folore – one of the Italian words you can use for ‘lightning.’
We got the GranTurismo Folgore, with a 760-horsepower, 300-kW electric powertrain capable of propeling the car from 0 to 60 in just 2.7 seconds.
Then there’s the Grecale Folgore, with 580km of range, and the upcoming Quattroporte EV.
They also tried toying with the idea of creating a Folgore version of the MC20, but demand just wasn’t there.
The road ahead
Looking toward 2030, Maserati is on track to become the first Italian luxury brand to complete its full electric lineup.
By embracing hybrid supercars and state-of-the-art EVs, the manufacturer is ensuring that the Trident continues to stand for performance in a world that demands sustainability.
The idea is to blend Italian style and heritage with cutting-edge technology and efficiency.
Tough ask, but somebody has to do it.
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