Maserati Unveils GranTurismo-Based Project GT4 Prototype

Goodwood Debut: Maserati Enters the GT4 Arena

Maserati Corse has stepped into one of GT racing's most competitive playgrounds with the reveal of Project GT4, a competition-focused evolution of the GranTurismo. Unveiled as a prototype at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the car is aimed squarely at privateer teams and gentleman drivers and is expected to begin its racing life in the 2028 season.

A sporting centenary with modern ambition

The launch also serves as part of Maserati's centenary celebrations — a nod to the marque's founding and its early motorsport triumphs. Project GT4 is positioned beneath the MC20-derived GT2 in Maserati's motorsport ladder, offering a more accessible, production-derived race car for customer programs.

Chassis, weight loss and race-ready underpinnings

Where the road-going GranTurismo prioritizes comfort and style, the Project GT4 is thoroughly reworked for endurance competition. Engineers have stripped roughly 400 kilograms (about 882 lb) from the base car and swapped the production suspension for motorsport hardware influenced by the Trofeo track model.

Key mechanical highlights include:

• Optimized aluminum platform with motorsport-tuned geometry
• Fully adjustable dampers and reinforced anti-roll bars
• 18-inch forged wheels shod with slick racing tires
• High-performance brakes with enlarged cooling ducts

The result is a focused, rear-wheel-drive racer with track-oriented agility and durability for multi-hour events.

Powertrain: familiar V6, race-spec tuning

At the heart of the GT4 sits Maserati’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6, mounted behind the driver in true sportscar fashion. The engine uses pre-chamber ignition technology and in unrestricted form can produce north of 700 cavalli vapore, but the GT4 will be fitted with air restrictors and software maps to comply with SRO Balance of Performance (BoP) rules.

A sequential racing gearbox replaces the road car’s automatic, and the car conforms to GT4 regulations that mandate rear-wheel drive. Expect output and torque curves to be managed to fit into multi-class grids and ensure competitive parity.

Aerodynamics and design: elegance meets aggression

Designed in close collaboration between Maserati Corse and Maserati Centro Stile, Project GT4 preserves Italian flair while adopting aggressive aero elements needed for downforce and cooling. The package features a large adjustable rear wing, dive planes, an extended front splitter, side skirts, and hood vents for heat extraction.

The prototype wears a commemorative livery: 100 tiny tridents celebrate the brand’s centenary, the white front pays homage to the 1958 420M/58 Eldorado, and the yellow-and-blue accents reference Modena.

Where Project GT4 fits in the market

GT4 is one of the fastest-growing segments in GT racing because it balances cost control with close competition. By leveraging more production-derived components than GT2, Maserati can offer a competitive package at a lower price point — attractive to private teams seeking reliability, parts commonality, and strong resale value.

The SRO Motorsports Group’s rulebook allows GT4 cars to compete in a wide range of international championships, from national series to high-profile endurance races, setting a stage for the GranTurismo-based GT4 to face established rivals.

Highlights and quick facts:

• Debut: Goodwood Festival of Speed 2026 (prototype)
• Competitive debut planned for 2028 season
• Weight reduction: ~400 kg vs. production GranTurismo
• Layout: mid-engined, rear-wheel drive; sequential gearbox
• Wheels: 18-inch forged with slicks; race-grade brakes

Competition: a new Porsche and a crowded field

The GT4 grid will be hotly contested. Porsche is preparing a new 911-derived GT4 challenger (arriving in 2027), and established GT4 platforms from other manufacturers will be waiting. Maserati's strategy is to combine brand appeal and production commonality to win over privateers.

Ultimately, Project GT4 is Maserati's pragmatic push to broaden its motorsport footprint — delivering an emotionally compelling, race-ready GranTurismo variant that aims to be competitive, serviceable, and desirable for customer teams worldwide.