Maserati Believes It Can Improve Electric Vehicle Sounds

Maserati understands the importance of sound in shaping the experience of their vehicles. When you think about Maserati, you don’t imagine a silent, efficient operation. Instead, you envision a car whose rumble can be heard from miles away and whose interior resonates with liveliness due to the noise. Following Ferrari’s departure from the Fiat-Chrysler group (prior to its integration into Stellantis), Maserati had to painstakingly develop its own engine technology for the MC20. Now, the introduction of its fully electric powertrain in the upcoming Granturismo and Cabria models raises the question—how will these electric Maseratis sound?

Fortunately, for those seeking an electric supercar without sacrificing the full Maserati experience, the manufacturer claims to have “a solution” to address the sound concerns.

The Drive’s own Kyle Cheromcha had a discussion with Maserati’s CEO of Americas, William Peffer, regarding the brand’s future direction. As part of Stellantis’ electrification strategy across its 14 brands, Maserati intends to emphasize luxury in its upcoming models. Despite Maserati’s historical association with the roaring engines of Ferrari, that era has passed, and a new chapter beckons with Maserati announcing that by 2024, every model in its lineup will offer a full electric variant.

It is crucial to start developing an electric vehicle that embodies the essence of a Maserati, including its signature sound, early on. Peffer hinted at the sound of the future vehicles, stating, “Stay tuned. We have a solution.”

Given the mixed results from other brands’ efforts to create unique sounds for their electric vehicles, there is a level of skepticism. Porsche, for instance, dedicated significant effort to crafting a distinctive, natural sound for the Taycan, aiming to eliminate undesirable noises while accentuating informative ones. However, the sound of the Taycan has not been celebrated to the extent of its performance and range.

Peffer acknowledged that achieving this balance remains a challenge that no one has completely conquered yet. He remarked, “We have observed other automakers introduce electric vehicles, and for us as a brand where sound holds such significance, preserving that essence is crucial.”

Maserati offered a glimpse of its motor sound earlier this year. Initially, it resembled the distinct noise of a high-powered MGU under stress and bore a striking resemblance to Formula E onboard sounds. However, developments might have taken place since then.

Despite persistent inquiries about the specifics of this solution, Peffer remained tight-lipped, hinting that “You can draw conclusions from there.” It remains unclear whether the sound will mimic a special electrically generated tone. Nevertheless, it’s intriguing that Maserati considers this a hurdle it has successfully overcome, in contrast to other manufacturers.

We can only wait and see what innovations Maserati will bring to the table.

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