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Maserati Alfieri Concept lands on US shores ahead of 2016 production model

America, meet the next sports car from Maserati. This is the Alfieri Concept, and it made the trip from Europe to make its US debut during the 2014 Monterey Car Week.
The two-door originally made its debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, and has since made an ear-pleasing visit to the UK before it arrived at today's Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
For those that need a refresher, the Alfieri is a 2+2 that will, when it arrives in 2016, be available with a 410-, 450- or 520-horsepower V6, with the latter two power levels coming with an all-wheel-drive system. The Alfieri Coupe will be joined by a convertible in 2017.

Stellantis says its 2021 performance has been better than expected

MILAN — Stellantis softened up investors ahead of its electrification strategy event on Thursday by flagging that 2021 got off to a better-than-expected start despite a chip shortage that has hit automakers worldwide. Stellantis, which was formed in January from the merger of Italian-American automaker Fiat Chrysler and France's PSA, faces an investor community keen to hear how it plans to come up with a range of electrified vehicles (EVs) to rival Tesla. At its "EV Day 2021" kicking off at 1230 GMT, Stellantis will disclose significant investments in electrification technology and connected software as it aims to be an industry frontrunner, it said in a statement. In April, Chief Executive Carlos Tavares said it would offer low-emission versions — either battery or hybrid electric — of almost all of its European models by 2025, and they should make up 70% of European sales and 35% of U.S. sales by 2030. Stellantis, the world's fourth-biggest automaker, has 14 brands in its stable, including Jeep, Ram, Opel, Fiat, Peugeot and Maserati.   Stellantis EV Day coverage: Dodge will launch the 'world's first electric muscle car' in 2024 Fully electric Ram 1500 will begin production in 2024 Jeep will have 4xe plug-in hybrid models across the lineup by 2025 Stellantis teases mystery electric Chrysler concept Stellantis previews 4 electric platforms: Here's how they'll be used Fiat says all Abarth models to be electric from 2024 Opel Manta E will be the electric revival of the classic German coupe Stellantis says its 2021 performance has been better than expected   At a similar EV strategy event last week, French rival Renault announced that 90% of its main brand models would be all-electric by 2030, whereas previously it had included hybrids in its target. Germany's Volkswagen, the world's second-biggest automaker after Toyota, expects all-electric vehicles to make up 55% of its total sales in Europe by 2030, and more than 70% of sales at its Volkswagen brand. Stellantis said its margins on adjusted operating profits in the first half of 2021 were expected to exceed an annual target of between 5.5% and 7.5%, despite production losses due to a global shortage of semiconductor supplies. Stellantis shares listed in Milan were down 2.6% at 0920 GMT, underperforming the broader European car index. Bestinver analyst Marco Opipari said Thursday's news was positive but that the stock was suffering from profit taking as it had moved up about 20% since the end of April.

Maserati MC20 Cabrio is a 621-horsepower Italian hair dryer

Winter is officially here, but Maserati is already looking forward to warmer temperatures and more driving-friendly weather. It released the first official photos of the MC20 Cabrio, which is exactly what it sounds like: a convertible version of the recently-launched MC20 coupe. Maserati likes having fun with the camouflage it uses to cover its pre-production prototypes, it notably dedicated an early MC20 test mule to Stirling Moss, and it designed a cloud-themed wrap specifically for the MC20 Cabrio. Unfortunately, whether it features clouds or swirls, the camouflage does an excellent job of hiding key details and the photos ask more questions than they answer. For example, we know that this is a convertible but there's no word yet on whether it will have a power-folding cloth soft top or if it will be fitted with a removable roof panel. Roof aside, the Cabrio looks nearly identical to the coupe, which isn't a bad thing; we think the MC20 is one of the best-looking cars that Maserati has released, and its exterior design will influence other additions to the company's range, including the Grecale crossover. Both the coupe and the convertible are built around the same carbon fiber monocoque, and we're guessing that there won't be major drivetrain differences between the two body styles. Power for the Cabrio will come from a mid-mounted, 3.0-liter V6 that's twin-turbocharged to develop 621 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque. Called Nettuno, it spins the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. More details about the Maserati MC20 Cabrio will emerge in the coming months. Sales should start for the 2023 model year. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.