The Maserati 111th anniversary celebrates the marque’s rich heritage while reaffirming its commitment to a future shaped by excellence. Attention is already turning to 2026, when Maserati will mark 100 years of its iconic Trident logo and a century of participation in motorsport.
The excitement surrounding “Maserati Meccanica Lirica” and the return of GranTurismo and GranCabrio production to the historic Viale Ciro Menotti plant is still fresh. Today, Maserati celebrates 111 years since its foundation, making it the longest-established brand in Italy’s Motor Valley.
These two important milestones place Maserati firmly among the leading symbols of Italian luxury on the global stage. They also set the course for 2026: the Year of the Trident Centenary, marking 100 years since the creation of the iconic emblem and the brand’s debut in motor racing. In 1926, the Maserati Tipo 26 became the first car to wear the Trident on its bonnet. It made its debut at the Targa Florio and won its class.
The origins of Maserati: from Bologna to the racetrack
The story of this Italian icon began more than a century ago, in 1914, when Alfieri Maserati and his brothers Ettore and Ernesto founded “Ditta Alfieri Maserati” at Via de’ Pepoli 1A, in the centre of Bologna. According to the company registration document, the business officially began operating on 1 December 1914; the document was submitted to the municipality on 14 December. The Maserati brothers shared a passion for mechanics and speed, and were not afraid to take the wheel of a racing car themselves.
Their brother Mario contributed to the design of the Trident logo, inspired by the Fountain of Neptune in Bologna’s city centre. The youngest brother, Bindo, joined Officine Maserati in 1932, following Alfieri’s death.
A racing heritage built on victories
As noted, the first car to carry the Trident was the Tipo 26. It made its racing debut at the Targa Florio in 1926, where Alfieri Maserati drove it to victory in the up-to-1.5-litre class. This marked the beginning of a remarkable series of achievements: back-to-back victories at the Indianapolis 500 in 1939 and 1940, four consecutive Targa Florio wins from 1937 to 1940, nine Formula 1 victories and the 1957 Formula 1 World Championship title with Juan Manuel Fangio.
In more recent years, Maserati returned to winning ways with the MC12, which secured six international FIA GT championships between 2005 and 2010, competing at the highest level of GT racing for production-based cars. Since 2023, the Maserati GT2 has brought the Trident back to closed-wheel racing, earning victories and eligibility to compete in more than 20 championships around the world.
Modena: the home of the Trident
At the end of 1939, the arrival of the Orsi family set in motion Maserati’s move to Modena. The plant on Viale Ciro Menotti opened on 1 January 1940 and has remained the home of the Trident ever since. In 1947, the Maserati brothers’ association with the company came to an end, and the brand introduced its first production car, the A6 1500. In 1963, Maserati unveiled the Quattroporte, creating a new segment for high-performance luxury saloons.
After a brief period under Citroën ownership from 1968 to 1975, during which the first modern industrial processes were introduced, the De Tomaso era followed from 1975 to 1993. This period was defined by the launch and commercial success of the Biturbo, one of the marque’s most iconic models.
A new era of performance and innovation
Building on these strong historical and industrial foundations, a new chapter in Maserati’s development began in 2007. The fifth-generation Quattroporte made its debut at the Detroit Motor Show, followed by the iconic GranTurismo in Geneva. GranCabrio arrived in 2009; the sixth-generation Quattroporte and the Ghibli followed in 2013, and three years later Maserati introduced the Levante, its first SUV.
In 2020, the launch of new production lines for the Maserati MC20, the flagship model of a new era for the brand, brought major upgrades to the Viale Ciro Menotti plant. These included a dedicated paint shop and an area for the development and assembly of the revolutionary Maserati Nettuno engine. Protected by international patents and developed entirely by Maserati, the Nettuno represents a significant engineering achievement.
Two years later, the Grecale debuted, expressing the spirit of grand touring in an SUV by combining dynamic performance with elegance. In 2023, the Maserati GT2 Stradale joined the range, bringing together two defining aspects of the brand: elegance and racing spirit. It embodies Maserati’s motorsport DNA while offering comfort and driving enjoyment for everyday use. The following year saw the arrival of the MCXtrema, a track-only machine limited to 62 units and powered by an extreme 730-hp version of the V6 Nettuno engine.
2025: a landmark year for Maserati in Modena
The year 2025 is set to be a historic one for Maserati and its Modena plant, with three key milestones: the start of production of the MCPURA, the purest expression of Maserati’s energy and performance; the launch of BOTTEGAFUORISERIE, a new project bringing together the creative forces of Alfa Romeo and Maserati; and the return of GranTurismo and GranCabrio to their home for a new production cycle.
Santo Ficili, Maserati Chief Operating Officer, said: “It is a real honour to celebrate the first 111 years of Maserati’s history in the city that is the beating heart of our brand. Following the Maserati Meccanica Lirica celebrations, it is a source of great pride—especially on our birthday—to highlight the exceptional know-how preserved in this region. For more than a century, it has nurtured the unique vision of performance, design and craftsmanship that represents the purest expression of Italian luxury. I would like to thank the women and men of Maserati, our dealer network and all our stakeholders. Recent achievements once again demonstrate Maserati’s strong bond with the city and the brand’s determination to explore new opportunities for growth with confidence in the future.”
