Maserati

Keen Italian racer Alfieri Maserati opened a workshop in 1913, initially producing spark plugs. The first proper Maserati was the Tipo (Type) 26, a race car eventually pitched at private drivers. A fine motorsport pedigree would be cemented through multiple grand prix successes with legendary pilots Tazio Nuvolari (1933-34) and Juan Manuel Fangio (who won the 1957 F1 title driving the 250F). 1957 started Maserati’s reputation for beautiful GT cars, with the 3500GT, and was continued in subsequent years by 1967’s striking, Ghia-styled Ghibli fastback – a nameplate revived in 2014 for a large sedan – and from the late ’90s the 3200, 4200 and GranTurismo. The first generation of the “four doors” Quattroporte debuted in 1963, with the nameplate continuing today as a crucial model. Citroen was one of the brand’s owners before Maserati eventually turned from Ferrari rival to partner when acquired by the Fiat Group in 1993. Ambitions for expanding the product range were no clearer than the announcement of a Maserati SUV, called Levante, for 2016.