Exotic, opulent, and ridiculously fast are words you’ll typically hear to describe Maserati.
The Italian brand has specialized in luxury sports cars for over a century, but there’s plenty of variety to be had when browsing Maserati’s vehicle selection.
A Maserati sports car might be more of a bucket list vehicle than a practical everyday driver, but its flashy presence on the road is exactly the kind of unapologetic bravado that has solidified its reputation for power and elegance. These days the Italian automaker isn’t stopping at low-riding racers—their best-selling vehicle the Levante
is actually an SUV! Want to learn more about Maserati sports cars? Jerry
, the super app
that saves drivers money on car insurance
, is here to guide you through a variety of Maseratis: from the classic, to the conceptual, to the family-friendly. Does Maserati make sports cars?
Sports cars are what Maserati does best. The luxury sports car brand was established on December 1, 1914, in Bologna, Italy by the Maserati brothers, and has been owned by Ferrari since 1999. Over the course of Maserati’s history, several distinguished sports cars have been produced, including track-only models Like the early 2000s hell on wheels MC12.
For those who are looking to take their Maserati out for a spin in the real world, let’s get to know the classics before we corner the rails on the latest models.
RECOMMENDEDNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees, ever
Maserati 35000GT
One of the most iconic Maserati’s to ever grace the road was the 3500GT. Debuting in 1957, this was the Italian automaker’s first attempt at a Gran Turismo (GT) vehicle and by 19691 it was being produced under the name 3500GTi after a fuel injection system was added to the design.
This zippy two-seater Maserati was built with a six-cylinder alloy engine that produced between 220 horsepower and 235 horsepower depending on the model year and rocketed to a top speed of 145 mph. Exclusivity was definitely part of the plan as only 2,200 of these models were built during the years 1957 to 1964.
Maserati 5000GT
On the heels of the success of the 3500GT and 35000GTi Maserati faced the challenge of riding the momentum of this little powerhouse of a car. Maserati had an avid fanbase in the mid-20th century, and customers were requesting a more elevated version of the 3500GT—one such customer was the Shah of Persia. And so the 5000GT was born.
The 5000GT was produced in far more limited quantities than the 3500GT and was distinct from its predecessor due to a formidable V8 engine that boasted 4,953 cc. Although production only lasted from 1959 to 1965 and very few models were actually sold, this conceptual beauty helped open the door to even more exciting possibilities for the Maserati brand.
Maserati Ghibli
One of the most well-known models in the Maserati sports car lineup is the Ghibli
. The Ghibli entered the scene in 1967 and was offered until 1973. The sleek, long-nosed body style of the first-generation Ghibli was right on trend with the popular muscle car silhouette of the day. The Ghibli made a brief resurgence in the mid to late 1990s, only to disappear from the market again until 2013. After numerous redesigns, the 2022 Maserati Ghibli looks less like a drag racer and more like the sports sedan it has become.
But that doesn’t mean it’s skimping on the power. The latest Ghibli sports a twin-turbo V6 engine with an impressive 345horsepower. Upgraded Ghibli trims like the Ghibli S
boost the horsepower up to 424-hp. Maserati MC20 Cielo
In 2020, Maserati unveiled the MC20, a feisty two-seater convertible supercar. More recently, Maserati’s auto engineers have amped things up even further with the development of the MC20 Cielo, a drop-top version of the model that comes with a retractable glass roof while still retaining its signature butterfly doors.
You don’t have to open the roof just to see the sky when you drive the MC20 Cielo. With the push of a button, you can change the tint of the glass roof from opaque to transparent. The chassis is built from carbon fiber, which makes the Cielo remarkably light for a convertible sports car.
And let’s not forget about tech features. There’s autonomous emergency braking, a 360camera function, and parking sensors. All of which are great to have when you’re driving a car that goes from 0 to 60 in less than three seconds.
A history of the Maserati sports car
Maserati is known for its two and four-door sculptural sports cars but in its first decades, world war and changes in ownership tested the future of the brand. Let’s look at some of the remarkable points in Maserati’s history.
1926: Maserati brothers Alfieri, Ettore, and Ernesto produce their first vehicle—Tipo 26. It’s the first vehicle to display Maserati’s legendary trident logo.
1937: The Maserati brothers sell their brand to Adolfo Orsi. Two years later the factory would move from its original location in Bologna to Modena, Italy.
1939: Racer Wilbur Shaw wins the Indianapolis 500 while driving Maserati’s Boyle Special 8 CTF with an average speed of 115.035 mph. He would go on to win the same race the following year in the same car.
1947: Maserati introduces its first vehicle made for daily driving: the A6 1500, which proves to be very successful.
1957: The 3500GT debuts at the Geneva Motor Show and creates a whirlwind of demand for Gran Turismo models.
1963: At the Turin Motor Show, Maserati unveils the Quattroporte—its first-ever luxury sports sedan. Three years later the Ghibli would debut at the same motor show.
1971: Maserati produces another feat in luxury sports engineering with the creation of the Bora.
1972: Another sports model is introduced: the Maserati Merak, which will remain in production until 1983.
1993: Despite a rivalry spanning the better part of the 20th century, Maserati enters a partnership with Ferrari. Six years later Ferrari would take ownership of the Maserati brand.
2014: Maserati celebrates 100 years of business and presents the Alfieri concept car.
2022: Fresh off the heels of the success of the MC20 Cielo, Maserati announces that its entire lineup will be available in electric versions by 2025.
How to save money on Maserati insurance
Whether you’re entertaining the thought of parking a Maserati in your garage or just enjoy learning about the lineage of sports cars, one thing you should always be in the know about is how to get affordable car insurance. If you’re unsure where to find the best coverage, look no further than Jerry
. Insurance comparison expert Jerry handles the entire shopping process from start to end. Once you download Jerry’s free app and enter some basic information, sit back and let Jerry work its magic—in less than a minute you’ll be scrolling through a personalized list of the most competitive rates from 50+ insurance providers Jerry partners with.
When you choose a new policy with Jerry, you could save over $800 a year on car insurance!
“Jerry
blew my mind, honestly. From start to finish, using the app took me 10 minutes and I ended up with $100 of savings a month. Best of all, customer service answered all my questions about rental car reimbursement and roadside assistance.” —Savanna R.
RECOMMENDEDThis app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience👍