The previous Ferrari-sourced V8 left the lineup in 2024.
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Stellantis's American Hemi engines are unsuitable due to packaging constraints, so Maserati would need a new engine or a supplier deal.
Manual Gearbox for Full Experience
Alongside the V8, Maserati is evaluating a manual transmission for its most exclusive sports cars.
Danesin envisions “a mechanical solution with a good engine coming into a few-off car, which then provides the full experience, as it was 20 or 30 years ago.”
Unlike some rivals that use electronic or simulated setups, Maserati wants a fully mechanical linkage to deliver authentic feedback and engine vibration through the lever.
Danesin compared it to a mechanical wristwatch: expensive and technically outdated, but valuable due to scarcity.
He acknowledged the performance trade-off: “It is about recalling the mechanical feeling.
In doing that, you would be losing some performance in terms of speed of shifting, maybe even the feeling through the lever of the engine vibrating.
I think that would be part of the experience. It’s a good part.”
The cost of such a gearbox could be high due to low volume, with Danesin estimating €15,000-20,000 ($17,300-23,100) versus under €3,000 ($3,500) for an automatic.
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Future manual and V8 models would likely be produced by BottegaFuoriserie, the bespoke coachbuilding department shared with Alfa Romeo, ensuring limited runs and premium pricing.
