Maserati is an Italian company specializing in the production of comfortable sports cars with an efficient appearance and high dynamic performance. It is part of the largest Italian automobile corporation FIAT.
Each of the Maserati brothers - Carlo, Bindo, Alfieri, Mario, Ettore and Ernesto - contributed in one way or another to the development of the company that still bears their name.
Carlo, the eldest of the brothers, was the first in the family to start working on cars. It was he who created the first Maserati car, equipped with a single-cylinder engine and a very simple chassis. But the illness and subsequent death of 29-year-old Carlo Maserati interrupted the work.
On December 14, 1914, Alfieri Maserati founded Officine Alfieri Maserati. The main activities of the new enterprise were the development and production of cars, engines and spark plugs. The company was located in Bologna, where a sculpture of Neptune, the work of Giambologna, is installed in the main city square. Inspired by this work, Mario Maserati designed the company's trademark - a trident, which served as an omen of the future of the Maserati brothers.
In 1925, Alfieri, Ernesto and Bindo, commissioned by a major Italian manufacturer and automaker Diatto, created a two-liter engine, which was equipped with a fairly successful Grand Prix racing car.
But the birth of Maserati, as a company and brand known throughout the world, took place on April 25, 1926, at the start of the Targa Florio race. At these competitions, the third of the Maserati brothers - Alfieri, presented and piloted the first production car Maserati Gran Prix 1500, which carried the trident sign on its hood.
In 1927, Ernesto on Tipo 26 becomes the champion of Italy. After several high-profile victories, the whole of Europe learned about the company. And from that moment on, the brothers decided to specialize in the production of exclusively racing cars mobiles. The collective genius of the Maserati brothers was focused on building super-powerful motors. In 1929, the racer Bakonin Borzacchini set a new speed record at a distance of 10 km - 246 km / h on the Tipo V4.
From 1932 to 1939, after the death of Alfieri, all cars were created by the younger Maserati - Ernesto. During this period, he designed all the engines himself and led his cars to victory in the race several times. In 1933, Ernesto Maserati was the first in Europe to use power brakes on racing cars.
In 1938-1939 Maserati became part of the Orsi Gruppo. In 1939, the Orsi family moved the company from Bologna to Modenowhere and is still in business today.
In 1939 and 1940, the American Wilbur Shaw in the Maserati 8CTF (under the name of Boyle Specials) won the Indianapolis 500, helping Masеrati enter the history of legendary American racing. Maserati 8CTFs, powered by the superb 8CTF 8-cylinder engines, were the only Italian cars ever to win these races.
After the war, the remaining Maserati brothers left the company to which they left their name and organized their own OSCA (Officina Specializzata Costruzione Automobili Fratelli Maserati) enterprise in their native Bologna. The new company took up the production of racing cars, but its cars did not have the same success and popularity.
In 1947, the presentation of the first GT class car, the A6 1500 with a Pininfarina design body, took place. The racing version of the A6GCS driven by Alberto Ascari won the Modena race several times and was a force to be reckoned with at the Mille Milia and Targa Florio races.
The road version of this car was produced in small series and was equipped with an almost racing chassis and a lightweight 6- cylinder engine with a volume of 2 liters, which had, at first, 1 camshaft and 1 candle per cylinder, and then 2 camshafts and 2 candles per cylinder.
In 1954, a single-seat Maserati 250F won the Formula 1 race in Argentina. In 1957, powered by a powerful and reliable 6-cylinder engine, the 250F helped the famous Fangio win his fifth world title and the last title for Maserati. In the same year, Maserati officially announced its retirement from racing and transferred racing technology to production road cars.
Then, in 1957, the company's bestseller, the Maserati 3500GT, was presented - the first serial road model. It was equipped with a 6-cylinder twin cam engine (2 overhead camshafts) with a displacement of 3.5 liters. The body was created by the Milanese firm Touring. Including the 3500 series had its own “zest” - the Spyder coupe from the Vignale bodywork studio. With only 242 built, this model is considered by designers and automotive historians to be the finest Maserati ever made. In 1961, the car was equipped with a Lucas mechanical fuel injection system, which allowed the company to add the letters GTI to the name of the 3500. Thus, the 3500GT became the first Italian car to be equipped with a fuel injection system. The 3500GT was discontinued in 1964 after about 2000 cars had been produced.
At the turn of the 50s - 60s, the production of the Maserati 5000 GT began - a car that revived the luxurious pre-war tradition: building cars "to order". Maserati supplied the engine and undercarriage, and the car bodies were “sewn” in the studio of Allemano, Michelotti, Bertone.
In 1963, another project was born on the drawing boards of the Vignale company, designed to replace the outdated Touring design body by that time. New car named Sebring, in honor of Maserati's victories in North American races, had a well-oiled and reliable engine in a modern and aggressive body. The release of its 2 main versions with a 3.7 liter 6-cylinder engine. and 4.0 l. continued until 1969.
In 1963, another turn took place in the history of Maserati, which distinguished the brand from other automakers. The expensive high-speed Mistral and Quattroporte sedans were presented to the world. In the UK, the new Quattroporte (translated from Italian means "four-door"), which had not only a luxurious interior, but also excellent dynamics and handling, cost more than Rolls Royce. The Quattroporte was the company's first representative model. It was powered by a 4.2 liter version of the V8 engine that was first installed in the 5000 GT. For those who wanted the luxury of a Quattroporte but with a sportier body, Maserati released the Mexico model.
The year 1966 was marked for the company with the release of the Ghibli coupe, the body for which was created in the studio of the young Giorgetto Giugiaro, who was still working at Ghia at that time. This car became a real sensation of its time and served as a hallmark of Maserati in the turbulent 60s.
In 1968, a controlling stake in Maserati bought up French Citroen. The most notable result of the partnership between the French and Italians was the Indy model (1104 copies were produced), more than an alliance of two automotive companies, which lasted until 1975, did not show itself.
Despite Maserati's retirement from racing, its engines and cars continued to win races. Powered by a Maserati V-12 300 Cooper, it won 2 world championships in a row - in Mexico in 1966 and South Africa in 1967.
In 1968, Maserati got a French partner - Citroen, (it can be called a partner with a big stretch, since the French bought a controlling stake in the Italian company that got into a difficult situation). At the same time, the premiere of the Indy 2 + 2 model took place and the production of a new V6 engine began.
In 1971, the Bora model was born - the company's first GT car with a mid-engined engine. With this car, a new concept of Maserati models began to emerge. From now on, the company begins to make not just ultra-fast cars. She gives her road models even more comfort and luxury.
The following year, the premiere of the Maserati Merak took place, which the Italians endowed with a V6 engine developed for the Citroen SM. Merak has become a worthy competitor to its classmates Ferrari 308 GT4 and Lamborghini Uracco. In 1976, the Merak SS was introduced, equipped with a new modified 3.0-litre V6 and a more elegant instrument panel from Bora.
At the end of the Citroen era in Maserati history, the Ghibli was replaced in 1973 by new model- Khamsin, equipped with a body designed by Bertone. The car had a 4.9 liter front-mounted V8 engine and had a wonderful design.
The short-lived alliance with Citroen broke up in 1975 and Maserati took under his wing the famous Alejandro De Tomaso, who, having decided to refresh the Maserati lineup, created the Kyalami project. The car was produced in 2 versions - 4.2 liters. With manual transmission and 4.9 l. with an automatic.
In 1976, Maserati updates its marketing strategy and decides to explore a new niche. To do this, the company enters into competition with Mercedes and BMW and produces the first executive class car in its history - Quattroporte III with a body from Giugiaro.
In 1981, De Tomaso changes strategy. The solution was Biturbo, a two-door sedan equipped with a new 2-liter 6-cylinder engine with 2 turbines, 180 hp. All this was packed in a small but luxurious body. A real hit in Italy, Biturbo entered the world stage in 1986. Export versions were equipped with a modified 2.5-liter V6.
In 1989, Shamal saw the light, the last representative of the De Tomaso era in the fate of Maserati, equipped with a new 3200 cm3 8-cylinder Biturbo engine, which gave this monster an output of 325 hp.
Soon came Karif - a real sports car. By installing a reliable 2.8 V6 on the Biturbo chassis, they got the most fast car in the Biturbo series. And by removing the roof on the Spyder version, Maserati engineers turned it into a real rocket.
From 1993 to 1995, the Italian giant Fiat Auto SpA bought up 90% of Maserati's shares, and in 1996, under its tutelage, the premiere of the new Quattroporte IV Evoluzione - the Maserati of our time - took place.
In 1995, under the patronage of Fiat, a series of races for the Open Ghibli Cup was held. The release of the road version known as the Ghibli Cup was timed to coincide with this event. These cars with only 2 -liter engine have a breathtaking power of 330 hp. - no production car, including the Mclaren F1, has such a return on 1 liter of fuel.
In 1997, Maserati merged with Ferrari (in fact, the management of the company passed to Ferrari). Since November 1997, to improve quality and reliability model range Maserati, the production of Ghibli and Quattroporte was suspended for a year at the factories in Modena. An assembly plant upgrade costing nearly $11.5 million was successfully completed in the fall of 1998 with the launch of the new Maserati 3200 GT.
The new Spyder GT was released in 2002.
In 1997, FIAT transferred a 50% stake in Maserati to Ferrari (at that time also controlled by FIAT). In 1999, Ferrari took full control of the company and transformed Maserati into a luxury car division. At the same time, building new plant replacing the obsolete 1940s.
In 2011, Maserati introduced its first crossover concept car, the Kubang. "Kubang, a concept car that replaces the past while staying true to it, marking the path to a future of technological excellence that cares for the environment, characterized by unmistakable design features"- according to the official website.
Maserati is a world-famous Italian automobile manufacturer founded in 1914. Currently, it specializes in the production of exclusive luxury cars. The company's headquarters is located in the northwestern part of Italy in Modena. Today, the automobile brand is part of a large transnational association "FIAT".
Starting the story about the history of the Maserati brand, it is necessary to mention the founding family. In total, six children were brought up in the Maserati family. The youngest of them, Mario (Mario Maserati), devoted his whole life to art, the middle one, Carlo (Carlo Maserati), could not imagine his own existence without auto racing. The remaining four brothers: Alfieri (Alfieri Maserati), Ernesto (Ernesto Maserati), Bindo (Bindo Maserati) and Ettore (Ettore Maserati) - were employed in automotive business, working in a small local firm "Isotta-Fraschini" in (Bologna).
In 1914, Alfieri decides to start his own business and opens the first family workshop "Officine Alfieri Maserat", which was chosen as the location of the suburb of Bologna. The brothers, Bindo, Ettore and Ernesto, support his undertaking and soon join the family business. Together, purposeful and ambitious Italians manage to build the first author's sports car. It was equipped with a two-liter engine and had good technical characteristics for those times.
The business of the workshop began to go uphill, and by 1926 Alfieri managed to conclude a rather lucrative contract with the large Italian company Diato. With its financing, the brothers officially register their own automotive company Maserati.
It is from this period that the mass production of various lines of cars equipped with four-, six-, eight- and sixteen-cylinder engines is being established.
In 1932, the main ideological inspirer of the brand, Alfieri Maserati, passes away, but the brothers continue the work he started.
The fate of the brand after the death of Alfieri
Bindo, Ettore and Ernesto, unexpectedly heading the company, were unable to continue the undertaking of their brother, and a series of measures they took almost drove Maserati into a crisis. In 1937, they decide to sell a controlling stake to the Orsi family.
The new owners are rapidly reorganizing production, as well as changing the location of the headquarters, moving it to the country's major business center - Modena on Viale Ciro Menotti. Orsi's policy was aimed exclusively at the mass production of sports cars.
The Maserati brothers do not leave the company completely, they only relieve themselves of managerial responsibilities and continue to work as design engineers and developers.
With the coming to power of the Orsi family, the Maserati team becomes an active participant in various racing competitions and competitions. So, in 1940, she managed to win her first official victory at the races in Indianapolis (Indianapolis). It is noteworthy that it was in this duel that the brand managed to move such giants of the car market as Audi and Mercedes from the pedestal.
In the period from the beginning of the 1940s until the very end of World War II, the company, like many other automotive companies of that historical period, retrained as a supplier of military equipment for the Italian army. Maserati's main competitor at the time was V16.
When all hostilities ceased and a peace agreement was signed, Maserati returned to its usual working course and actively engaged in the development of a new series of racing cars from the A6 series. By this point, the contract concluded with the Maserati brothers had also expired, and they had to leave the company.
Another change of power
At the end of the 60s of the last century, the company was waiting for big changes - for example, in 1968 it once again changed its owner. A controlling stake in Maserati began to belong to the French-born automobile manufacturer Citroën.
The previous owner, Adolfo Orsi, however, was in no hurry to completely leave Maserati, leaving behind the position of company president. And although nominally he was indeed considered as the head of the enterprise, the policy of the automobile brand has undergone dramatic changes. Firstly, cars began to be produced at an accelerated pace - up to two pieces in one day. Secondly, Citroen generously shared with Maserati its innovative technologies, as well as its accumulated experience, which made it possible to develop a unique car range, revolutionary for those years. One of the most significant inventions created in close cooperation between two world famous brands, we can consider the hydraulic suspension, which made a splash in the world market.
In the early 70s of the twentieth century, the Maserati range was represented exclusively by prestigious car models: Merak, Bora, Khamsin and Quattroporte. That is why the oil crisis that broke out during this period caused irreparable damage to the financial well-being of the company. Expensive racing cars lost their demand dramatically and could no longer pay off. Citroen promptly declared bankruptcy and in 1964 resold Maserati shares.
Alessandro de Tomaso is the new heart of the brand
In 1975 there was another change of leadership within the company. Popular race car driver and design engineer Alessandro de Tomaso (Alessandro de Tomaso) bought the bankrupt company, hoping to give him a "second wind". In general, the ideas of the Italian turned out to be realized - in 1976, a presentation of a completely new model range of the brand took place. The Kyalami and Quattroporte III cars were presented to the public, which made a splash among the masses.
In the early 1980s, Tomaso released the "Biturbo" supercar model, which was cheaper than other cars of the brand. It was developed on the basis of the V6 engine, equipped with a twin turbocharging system, and also had a power of 180 hp.
"Biturbo" became a real sensation, literally forcing people to rethink and re-evaluate their attitude towards supercars. The car had quite a classic appearance, however, its internal contents fascinated with its casual luxury. The commercial success of this car was ensured by its compactness and efficiency, because it was these two properties that the Italian motorist of the crisis period of the eighties needed so much.
Maserati in the 1990s
In the spring of 1993, the automaker was again sold. This time, it came under the leadership of the large Italian concern FIAT, and a new historical era of Maserati began.
In 1999, the first car from the 3200 GT line rolled off the assembly line. It was a coupe with two doors, which was equipped with a three-liter engine of the V8 generation, a turbocharging system, and its power reached 370 hp. With. The car easily accelerated the speed to 285 km / h.
Also, in 1999, another company specializing in the production of luxury cars, Ferrari, received full control over the brand. After this transaction, the rapid expansion of Maserati's spheres of influence began - the construction of new factories, the opening of representative offices around the world.
Maserati today
Maserati today is not just a world-famous automotive company; it is a symbol of luxury and prestige. Cars of this brand are not just means of transportation, but real works of art, which were created by the best designers and designers of our time.
In 2011, the brand demonstrated the first concept car of the Kubang model in its history, and in 2016 it was established mass production crossovers "Levante".
Today, the company has representative offices in more than 60 countries around the world, and the number of employees exceeds the mark of a thousand people.
Among the models produced are the following:
- Ghibli III;
- "GranCabrio";
- "Gran Turismo";
- Levante;
- "Quattroporte" .
Under the name "Quattroporte", the brand produces sports four-door luxury sedans. To date, there are six generations of this model.
- First generation - from 1963 to 1970;
For the first time, cars of this model range were presented at the international motor show, held in Turin (Torino), in 1963. Their design was developed by the legendary automotive designer of the time - Pietro Frua. It is noteworthy that it was with this model that mass production of sedans from Maserati began.
The first copies of the car had a V8 generation engine, the volume of which reached 4.1 liters. They could reach speeds of up to 250 km / h.
The main advantage of this model was not technical characteristics at all, but its appearance. "Quattroporte" was distinguished by an unusually expensive and sophisticated design, which could most accurately reflect the status of its owner.
- Second generation - from 1974 to 1978;
Models of this generation differed significantly from their predecessors. This was due to the fact that the development of cars at that time was carried out jointly with the Citroen concern.
So, sedans have significantly increased in length - now they reached 5200 mm. The wheelbase has also been increased to 3070 mm.
The cars were produced on the basis of "Citroen SM" and turned out to be retrained in front-wheel drive.
- Third generation - from 1976 to 1990;
- Fourth generation - from 1994 to 2000;
- Fifth generation - from 2003 to 2013;
- Sixth generation - from 2013 to the present.
The Levante lineup is literally a new word in automotive world Maserati. These cars are unique crossover SUVs that perfectly combine both impeccable Italian style and a breathtaking sporty spirit.
The luxury SUV is equipped with an innovative next-generation "V6" gasoline engine; its volume reaches 3 liters. Also, the car has a dual turbocharging system, it is distinguished by relatively economical fuel consumption.
As for the interior of the car, it is a real personification of luxury and presentability. The interior is trimmed with first-class quality materials - the finest leather, the most delicate natural silk and expensive woods.
Maserati Gran Turismo
The official presentation of cars of this model range took place in the spring of 2007 during the Geneva Motor Show.
The car has a four-liter engine of the Ferrari V8 generation, which is capable of reaching a power of 298 kW. Also, it is equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The car offers four seats (one of which is the driver's seat). Since 2009, a convertible version of the model has been on sale.
The Ghibli III is a premium sedan. It first went on sale in mid-2013. All of its production is concentrated in the brand's original automotive factory, located in Grugliasco. In total, up to twenty thousand cars belonging to this model range roll off the assembly line per year.
The starting price for the model is from 65,000 euros.
Among specifications cars can be distinguished: three-liter diesel and gasoline engines six-cylinder type; eight-speed automatic transmission; front suspension; multi-link anti-roll bar.
The official presentation of the model took place at the Shanghai Motor Show in 2013.
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A symbol of luxury and wealth. The brand owes its name to the creators - the Maserati brothers. There were six brothers in all: Bindo, Alfieri, Mario, Ernesto, Carlo and Ettore.
1881–1900
All the brothers, with the exception of Mario, were devoted admirers of technology, one way or another were related to the design of cars. Nevertheless, Mario, who was an artist, also left his mark on the development of the brand. It is he who is the author of the well-known trident logo. According to the official version, he borrowed the trident from the statue of the sea god Neptune, which to this day occupies a place of honor in one of the squares of the brothers' hometown. There is also a second, unspoken legend that the trident is the symbol of the three brothers who later founded the company: Ernesto, Alfieri and Ettore (Bindo joined them only in 1932 after Alfieri's death). Perhaps this is true, but the version does not inspire much confidence.
The first who became interested in technology was the elder brother Carlo. At that time, he worked at a bicycle factory near Milan and began to develop engines. He became the developer of the single-cylinder engine, which was successfully used in motorbikes manufactured by Marquis Carcano di Anzano del Parco.
Carlo's passion for technology and racing were the main factors that allowed him to become the winner of several series of motorcycle races on a motorcycle manufactured by Carcano. Carlo in 1900 was even able to set a speed record of 50 km / h on an engine that he himself designed.
1901–1914
In 1901, the Carcano company closed, in connection with which Carlo went to work at Fiat, and from 1903 at Isotta Fraschini, combining the position of a mechanic and a tester of designed cars.
Carlo's reputation served his younger brother Alfieri well, who was also hired by Isotta Fraschini, turning a blind eye to his 16-year-old age.
At the age of 29, due to a serious illness, Carlo dies. By that time, he had already made a rapid career: he was already the CEO of Junior and created a workshop with his brother Ettore, which was automotive transformers.
A sense of moral duty to Carlo contributed to the fact that Alfieri purposefully and swiftly showed his leadership qualities and became not only a successful technical specialist, but also a racer. At the subcompact car races held in Depp, Alfieri, despite the malfunctions found in the carburetor of his car, was able to finish 17th. At the same time, Ettore and Bindo Maserati came to serve in Isotta Fraschini.
In 1914, Alfieri created a joint stock company called Officine Alfieri Maserati in an office rented in the central part of Bologna.
1914–1937
Diatto made a job offer to Alfieri. He will have to design and directly participate in racing tournaments on them. There was a period when Alfieri received a disqualification due to violations found in technical equipment sports car. At this time, he came to grips with the activity of designing cars for racing.
In 1926, Alfieri left Diatto and designed his first model car, the Tipo 26, which featured a trident, the company's future logo. The generally accepted date of birth, from which the history of Maserati is counted, is considered to be April 25, 1926. On this day, in the Targa Florio competition, Alfieri's car came first.
In 1929, Maserati developed the 16-cylinder V4, which became the 10-kilometer C class record holder with 246.069 km/h.
Alfieri died in March 1932. , developed under his leadership, steel 4CTR and 8C 2500.
His successors were the brothers Ernesto, Ettore and Bindo. In 1933, Tazio Nuvolari became a member of their team. He brought technical improvements to the design of machines and won the Grand Prix held in Montenegro, Belgium and Nice.
In 1936, Gino Rovere made a large financial injection into the company, and his representative Nino Farina became the chairman of the board. During the years of his leadership, the small car 6CM is released.
1937–1967
1937 was a turning point in the history of the brand. Then the brothers made a difficult decision to sell their offspring to the Orsi family. The head office moved to Modena, where it operates to this day. The brothers still remained in their hometown and continued to work at Maserati until 1948.
During the Second World War, the company's activities were concentrated on the military industry. After the war ended, the production of cars was resumed, the first of which was the A6 1500, belonging to the GranTurismo model class. It was he who became a participant and a dangerous rival, Talbot and Alfetta.
Increasing competition from Ferrari and Alfa Romeo made the 50s quite difficult for the company. In 1953, Gioacchino Colombo came to the position of chief engineer, who became the author of the A6GCM model - the winner of the Italian Grand Prix.
The 50s brought honorary titles and Maserati 250F models. In 1958, the 3500 GT was launched.
In 1962, the first four-door Sebring model was presented, and the following year, a four-door version of the car from the Quattroporte series of models with an installed V8 engine and a displacement of 4136 cc. cm.
1968–1992
1968 was a year of great change for the company. Shares of the brand (France), however, Adolfo Orsi remained in the position of honorary chairman.
At the Geneva Motor Show in 1971, a model equipped with a Bora engine was presented, which had a central location. Its creator was Giugiaro. Production was expanded with the new Khamsin and Merak models.
In 1973 year Citroen announces the liquidation of Maserati. The reason for this was the oil crisis, the first of which suffered a fiasco for sports cars that require impressive fuel costs. Then the Italian government intervened in history, under the influence of the Association of Entrepreneurs, driven by the goal of preserving jobs for people. During these events, Maserati became the property of the state - the GEPI agency.
On August 8, 1975, Alessandro de Tomaso, formerly a race car driver, became the owner of most of the shares of Maserati Benelli, and the general director was Alessandro de Tomaso. He made great efforts to restore the company and create with the assistance of Giugiaro a novelty - the Kyalami model.
In the 80s, developments appeared related to bi-turbo engines, in connection with which a number of Biturbo models equipped with engines of this type saw the light. The model was kept in production until the end of the 20th century.
From 1993 to our time
In 1993, Fiat Auto became the owner of the entire Maserati shareholding. Literally a year later, the Quattroporte model was released, which became the first car under the new owner. Its creator, Marcello Gandini, adhered to the main traditions of the brand: refined taste combined with exceptional data.
On July 1, 1997, Fiat sold part of the company (50% of the shares) to its eternal competitor Ferrari. Then a complete re-equipment of capacities with modern equipment was carried out in order to produce a new model 3200 GT, the presentation of which took place at the Paris Motor Show.
The last decade of the 20th century was a period of positive change for Maserati. At this time, the restructuring and expansion of production facilities, accompanied by installation, continued. The boundaries of Maserati's presence in the automotive markets of the world were expanded, new car models were released, new tournaments were won.
The Quattroporte, which debuted in Frankfurt in 2003, won the favor of consumers and became the bestseller in its sector.
Video about the history of the Maserati brand:
In 2005, Maserati managed to become a record holder in the field of car sales - 5659 units. This number is 10 times higher than in 1998, when only 518 cars were sold.
2005 was the year of Maserati's return to Fiat, which also had a positive effect on the company's success - Maserati finally began to bring some profit for many years.
The Officine Alfieri Maserati automobile company was founded in 1914. This venture significantly influenced the history and development of racing cars. The Maserati emblem is known all over the world. The company currently manufactures exclusive sports models and business class cars. Maserati cars are sold in 70 countries around the world. The company produces more than seven thousand cars a year. Since 1999, the company has been owned by the Italian company Ferrari. In 2004, official sales of some Maserati models began in Russia. In 2016, Maserati launched its first Levante SUV.
History of the company
The company was named after its first owner, Alfieri Maserati, and his five brothers, who took an active part in the company's activities. The brothers have been fond of technology since childhood. The eldest of the Carlo brothers created a bicycle manufacturing company, designed motors for motorcycles. A few years later he was hired by the Fiat team as a pilot. Carlo Alferi's younger brother joined his brother after his move to Isotta Fraschini. In 1907 the brothers open their own workshop. Three years later, Carlo died of a lung disease. Alferi had to sell the workshop and return to racing. In 1914, together with his brothers, he creates a new family business. In 1926, the company ceases cooperation with Diatto and begins to produce its own racing cars. In the same year, the famous emblem was created.
Maserati badge
For almost a century of the company's history, the company's logo has not changed much. This is a red trident on a white background. The name of the company is depicted below on a blue background in white letters. The author of the emblem is the artist Mario Maserati, the only one of the brothers whose work was not related to cars. The logo is the trident of Neptune. Mario was inspired by the statue of the sculptor Giambologna. Therefore, he can be considered a co-author of the Maserati emblem. The fountain with the statue is located in the Italian city of Bologna, where the company was headquartered. The blue and red colors for the Maserati emblem were not chosen by chance. The coat of arms of Bologna is made in these colors. Now the company is located in Modena. Now the famous sculpture is associated not only with Bologna, but also with car brand. It symbolizes beauty and energy. The idea to use a trident as a logo came to Alferi's mind after being attacked by a wolf. Future Creator automobile concern rescued by a passerby with a pitchfork. In gratitude, Alferi made him a driver for the Maserati team. According to one version, the trident symbolizes the three brothers who founded the company - Alfieri, Ettore and Ernesto.
Achievements
Maserati holds several speed records in various racing series. In 1957, the racing team won the Formula 1 World Championship with a car bearing the Maserati badge. Photos of the champions spread all over the world. But due to an accident that killed the pilot, team navigator and 11 spectators, Maserati stopped participating in the racing series. The company started production of road cars. Maserati engineers have developed many exclusive models who have become true legends.
Tagline: Excellence Through Passion
The most famous Italian manufacturer of sports cars. This brand is one of the legendary and is associated exclusively with luxury and prosperity.
Your name Maserati received by the name of its creators - the Maserati brothers. There were six of them - Alfieri, Bindo, Mario, Ernesto, Ettore and Carlo (Alfieri, Bindo, Mario, Ernesto, Ettore, and Carlo). They lived at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries in the Italian city of Bologna (Bologna). All but Mario were passionate tech enthusiasts, connected to varying degrees with the design of cars. However, the artist Mario left an equally bright mark in the history of the future company - it was he who painted the famous trident logo. According to official legend, he borrowed the trident from the statue of Neptune, which still stands in one of the squares of Bologna to this day. However, there is also an unofficial legend according to which the trident symbolizes the three brothers who founded the company - Alfieri, Ettore and Ernesto (Bindo joined later, after Alferi's death in 1932); There is a grain of truth in this, but still such a theory seems clearly far-fetched.
The fate of each of the brothers (except Mario, perhaps) deserves a separate book. All of them left a very bright mark in the development of cars, worked in fairly high positions in well-known companies in those years, and successfully participated in auto racing. Unfortunately, Carlo did not live to see his birth. Maserati in our usual role, having died in 1910 from tuberculosis.
And in 1914, Alfieri (often referred to as Carlo's spiritual heir) founded a small company manufacturing automotive engines, which he called Società Anonima Officine Alfieri Maserati. It is on its basis that the legendary company will be born in the future.
official date of birth Maserati It is considered April 25, 1926, when the Tipo 26 car designed by the brothers with a trident on the hood took part in the Targa Florio car race. Alferi himself was driving it. The subsequent successful performances of this miracle prompted the brothers to take a closer look at the production of sports cars. What they did, and very successfully. Cars Maserati shone in auto racing, speed records were set on them, the brand had fans.
In 1937, the Orsi family buys the company. The company moves to Modena, where its headquarters are located to this day. The Maserati brothers remained in Bologna and worked for the company until 1948 as chief engineers. Later they founded new company - O.S.C.A., which was engaged in the production of racing cars and did not achieve any noticeable success.
Cars Maserati were, in fact, the only ones who could challenge cars on the race track Mercedes- the famous German automaker in those years was generously sponsored by the Nazi government, which only wanted to win and did not skimp on funds. But, thanks to cars with a trident, this was not always possible.
During World War II factories Maserati switched to the production of products for the front - engines and spare parts. At the end of the war, it was quite easy to return to the previous production. Cars Maserati shined again on the racetracks.
In 1968 the company was acquired Citroën. At the same time, members of the Orsi family remained on the board. The French were primarily interested in the technical developments of the Italians. But also throw Maserati they did not - in the next five years, many luxurious models appeared, which were very popular. The company developed smoothly until the oil crisis broke out in 1973, which completely crossed out all plans. Voracious sports cars were hit first and hardest. In 1975 Maserati was declared bankrupt. By that time Citroën already included in PSA Peugeot Citroën and the new management decided to liquidate the Italian company.
Maserati was saved thanks to pressure from trade unions and government agencies. By saving the company, they pursued the goal of preserving jobs for the people working on it. In 1975 Maserati buys out the famous Argentine racer Alejandro De Tomaso (Alejandro de Tomaso), also known as the founder of the company De Tomaso Modena SpA. He continued to produce sports cars. But these were no longer monsters that devoured tens of liters for every hundred kilometers, but small nimble models capable of developing high speeds. Particularly famous was the Biturbo model, which lasted in various variations in production right up to the end of the 20th century. De Tomaso's actions helped the company stay afloat. However, not everyone accepted Maserati in a new role.
In 1993 the company changed its owner again. This time it is acquired by an Italian concern Fiat Auto. New owner invested heavily in the development Maserati for which a renaissance has now begun. There was a complete reorganization, which only benefited the company.
But the change of owners did not end there either - in July 1997 fiat sold a 50% stake in Maserati to its longtime competitor - Ferrari, which is part of a financial production enterprise FIAT Group. And since 1999, Ferrari completely took over Maserati. And almost brought it to bankruptcy again.
So in 2005 the long-suffering Maserati changed ownership again. This time she got into control Alfa Romeo, which is also part of FIAT Group. Under the management of this company, things went more successfully - for the first time in many years, Maserati began to make a profit.