Alfa vs Maserati vs Ferrari

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
This has been on my mind for the past few days.

Its been a given since all 3 brands have been under the FIAT umbrella that a Maserati is faster than an Alfa and a Ferrari is faster than a Maserati.

With the 4C and now the Giulia QV, the lines appear to be muddied.

We have the Alfieri coming out shortly and to be faster than the QV, its 0-60 is going to be in the mid 3's to maintain this.

So my question to you all is, are the gloves off now and each can do as they please and where do Ferrari fit into all this as they priduce all the power units.
 

drewf

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7,159
Not really Matt - Chrysler USA and a German company are producing the current Maserati engines.

Gloves off? Possibly, but I think that will only help to get the blindfolds off...
 

Doohickey

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I'm not sure it's about speed - more price and perception. Alfa is always going to be the 3/5 competitor even with things like the QV and 4C and will priced accordingly say sub £60K. Maserati is the sporty tourer priced around £80-£120K and Ferrari the top end halo model at £150K +.
 

Mr.Cambio

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7,096
I'm not sure it's about speed - more price and perception. Alfa is always going to be the 3/5 competitor even with things like the QV and 4C and will priced accordingly say sub £60K. Maserati is the sporty tourer priced around £80-£120K and Ferrari the top end halo model at £150K +.

+1
 

outrun

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5,017
Maserati have recently shied away from the 0-62 and horsepower race too. I don't think they'll change that stance. The Grantourismo could have been much, much faster if they'd wanted, as could the QP but they choose the classy Italian suit position. By that I mean that they choose style and drama over raw performance. I, for one, don't care if the Alfieri is faster that the Giulia, especially if it looks 99% like the concept. Same way as I don't care that various 911s or M cars that i've owned are faster and better handling than the Gransport. It was never about that for me. If it was, I'd buy a Datsun GTR, add nitrous and be done with it.
 

highlander

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5,214
Maserati have recently shied away from the 0-62 and horsepower race too. I don't think they'll change that stance. The Grantourismo could have been much, much faster if they'd wanted, as could the QP but they choose the classy Italian suit position. By that I mean that they choose style and drama over raw performance. I, for one, don't care if the Alfieri is faster that the Giulia, especially if it looks 99% like the concept. Same way as I don't care that various 911s or M cars that i've owned are faster and better handling than the Gransport. It was never about that for me. If it was, I'd buy a Datsun GTR, add nitrous and be done with it.

^^^what he said^^^
 

Mr.Cambio

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7,096
Maserati have recently shied away from the 0-62 and horsepower race too. I don't think they'll change that stance. The Grantourismo could have been much, much faster if they'd wanted, as could the QP but they choose the classy Italian suit position. By that I mean that they choose style and drama over raw performance. I, for one, don't care if the Alfieri is faster that the Giulia, especially if it looks 99% like the concept. Same way as I don't care that various 911s or M cars that i've owned are faster and better handling than the Gransport. It was never about that for me. If it was, i'd by a Datsun GTR, add nitrous and be done with it.


agree as well, but i do not want to be the slowest supercar driver on the road..So, performance is -if not the first- at least the second most desirable parametre of owing a maserati.
As a previous S3 owner, the feeling of a Skoda Octavia beeing faster than my 360hp Audi, was not that good. Same goes for Maserati.
 

StuartW

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9,306
I'm not sure it's about speed - more price and perception. Alfa is always going to be the 3/5 competitor even with things like the QV and 4C and will priced accordingly say sub £60K. Maserati is the sporty tourer priced around £80-£120K and Ferrari the top end halo model at £150K +.

Yep, agreed
 

Dan!

Member
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3,029
I think in days gone by speed was more of a differentiator, with new tech closing that gap it's no longer relevant to the 3 brands.
Each brand has its own characteristic.

Mind you that said, if you took an average speed across the range you'd probably still find that it still puts them in the original order.
 

Maser Sod

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1,962
So my question to you all is, are the gloves off now and each can do as they please and where do Ferrari fit into all this as they priduce all the power units.

I think it smacks of complete confusion.

Alfa seem to be the rogue element, allowed now to produce any kind of car they please. I kind of like that.

Maserati remain in the same place, allowed to produce fast saloons and GT's ... so long as they aren't as fast as a Ferrari.

What I would really like to know is where the funding is coming from for the 4C and Alfieri programmes. I just don't see those production lines providing direct ROI.
 

alfatwo

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Youv'e all forgoten the Alfa 8c and 8c Spider.. the later Spider version is fantasic!

Dave
 

Doohickey

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Youv'e all forgoten the Alfa 8c and 8c Spider.. the later Spider version is fantasic!

Dave

Not at all and no doubt very good and striking cars but very much designed as halo models to raise the profile of the brand. The discussion IMO is around what the core values of each of the brands is.
 

BennyD

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Ah yes, the Alfa 8C. Based on a 4200 spyder floor pan with Maserati engine and gearbox, it's more Maser than Alfa.
 

alfatwo

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5,517
Ah yes, the Alfa 8C. Based on a 4200 spyder floor pan with Maserati engine and gearbox, it's more Maser than Alfa.

As it lots later, the Spider is so much more refined,cracking car to drive too...miles better than the old 4200s and GS's it was based on!

Dave
 

whereskeith

Member
Messages
821
With Ferrari being spun off and shares being sold to general public etc.
Will that not change the order relationship ?
My thinking is that if Ferrari is not actually part of the Fiat group anymore Maserati could be set free and the Alfieri could be as fast as they like.
thoughts ???
 

Classico

Member
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895
Recall some recent discussion from Wester that Ferrari is paving its own way as a standalone Supercar/Hypercar segment detached from the FGA brands.

Agreed there are more muddied lines now between Maserati and Alfa Romeo than there have ever been under FGA. (Giulia QV spanking a Maser Ghibli V6 S etc).

What I don't think will change is the luxury element of Maser being distinctly more upscale than Alfa. Less so performance.

For mine, I believe the Alfieri should be mid 3s to retain Maserati's core values of pace and grace.

Like Aston Martin in a lot of ways. Not the fastest GTs, but fast enough coupled with gorgeous styling, amazing engine notes and luxury cabins.

As for Ferrari being top dog, that will never change for mine, at least whilst FIAT is in charge.

As Jeremy Clarkson once said:

"The 8C could have been faster, but then that would make it faster than a Ferrari. And in Italy, that's a social No-No. It would be like vomiting on the Pope".
 

outrun

Member
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5,017
I'm hoping that the Alfieri is all style over speed. I'm hoping for a nice, small block v8.

That way I might be able to afford one!

It's already been pushed out a year and increased in expected price by £20k. Who know what will actually appear.
 

Sham83

New Member
Messages
158
Maserati have recently shied away from the 0-62 and horsepower race too. I don't think they'll change that stance. The Grantourismo could have been much, much faster if they'd wanted, as could the QP but they choose the classy Italian suit position. By that I mean that they choose style and drama over raw performance. I, for one, don't care if the Alfieri is faster that the Giulia, especially if it looks 99% like the concept. Same way as I don't care that various 911s or M cars that i've owned are faster and better handling than the Gransport. It was never about that for me. If it was, I'd buy a Datsun GTR, add nitrous and be done with it.

I agree- I used to be obsessed with 0-60 times and top speeds but in reality when are we really going to max our cars out (unless you are frequently going to thrash on a race track). Perhaps because I live in London or I am getting older (or both!) but the looks, sounds, comfort and practically are much more important to me now than straight line performance and handling around corners, which is why I chose the GTS over a 911/M3/GTR. And of course, it is plenty fast for my needs and can't beat that lovely Ferarri V8!