As reported by Sportscar365, Maserati has unveiled Project GT4, a new GranTurismo-based race car that will lead the Italian manufacturer’s return to GT4 competition in 2028.
The marque presented the project at the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed as it continued to expand its modern customer racing operation. Project GT4 will sit alongside the MC20-based Maserati GT2, which entered competition in 2023.
Maserati has only recently started the development programme. However, the manufacturer has already established clear priorities for the new car, including competitiveness, reliability, accessibility and manageable operating costs for customer teams.
Maserati calls Project GT4 a “natural step”
Maserati will use the experience that it has gained through the GT2 programme to develop its latest customer racing car. In particular, the company plans to transfer its knowledge of vehicle setup, calibration, performance, reliability and trackside operations into the GT4 category.
Project GT4 also strengthens the connection between Maserati’s road-car and racing divisions. The car retains a close relationship with the new GranTurismo, which provides its basic architecture, body and powertrain.
Maserati Corse boss Vincent Biard described the programme as the next stage in the company’s long-term GT racing strategy.
“Project GT4 represents a natural step in the evolution of the Maserati Corse program and completes our vision for the future of GT racing,” said Maserati Corse boss Vincent Biard.
“On the back of the experience gained with the Maserati GT2, this project was created with the aim of bringing all the technical, sporting and operational know-how developed in recent years to the GT4 category, while maintaining a strong bond with the New GranTurismo on which it is based.
“Our objective is clear: to develop a car that is competitive, reliable and accessible to the teams and drivers who choose Maserati.
“The development process has just begun, but we are already working to reach the 2028 season with a car that can compete at the highest level and aspire to success.”
The project therefore gives Maserati another route into international customer racing. While the GT2 competes in a higher-performance category, the new car will allow a broader range of teams and drivers to represent the marque.
GranTurismo architecture forms the foundation
Maserati developed Project GT4 around the new GranTurismo’s aluminium architecture rather than creating an entirely separate racing platform.
That approach allows the manufacturer to retain a clear visual and technical connection with the road car. It should also help Maserati control production, maintenance and operating costs, which remain important considerations for customer teams.
However, Maserati Corse has substantially adapted the GranTurismo for competition. The company expects Project GT4 to weigh approximately 400kg less than the road car, while the racing version will use rear-wheel drive and suspension derived from the GranTurismo Trofeo.
Adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars will also allow teams to modify the setup for different circuits, drivers and conditions. Meanwhile, the optimised aluminium platform will provide the foundation for the car’s performance and handling characteristics.
Maserati adds dedicated racing aerodynamics
Project GT4 features several aerodynamic elements designed specifically for competition.
Maserati has added a front splitter, dive planes and a revised aerodynamic package that will increase downforce. The bonnet also incorporates dedicated openings, while the company has integrated the racing components into the GranTurismo’s existing design.
Inside, the car retains recognisable elements from the road-going model’s dashboard. Nevertheless, Maserati has reorganised the cockpit around driver ergonomics, safety and efficient operation during competitive sessions.
A roll cage, homologated racing seat and competition fuel tank form part of the safety package. Furthermore, the car will use a dedicated braking system with bespoke cooling and 18-inch wheels that comply with GT4 regulations.
Nettuno V6 powers Maserati’s new challenger
Maserati will equip Project GT4 with its front-mounted, 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged Nettuno V6 engine.
The unit uses pre-chamber combustion technology derived from Formula 1 and has already demonstrated its potential in road and racing applications. Maserati says the engine can exceed 700 CV, equivalent to approximately 690bhp, in certain configurations.
However, the GT4 version will operate within the category’s technical and performance framework. Therefore, the final racing output will not reflect the engine’s unrestricted maximum capability.
The V6’s location behind the front axle should also support a more balanced weight distribution. Combined with rear-wheel drive and the lighter chassis, that arrangement will give Maserati Corse a strong starting point as it refines the car’s handling.
Bertolini takes charge of development duties
Maserati Chief Test Driver Andrea Bertolini will play a central role in the Project GT4 development programme.
Bertolini brings extensive experience of Maserati racing machinery and closed-wheel competition. He will help engineers assess the car’s performance, handling, reliability and suitability for customer drivers as testing progresses.
The team must also ensure that the car performs consistently across different circuits and conditions. Customer racing programmes require more than outright speed, as teams also need dependable components, predictable handling and straightforward maintenance.
Maserati has set 2028 as its target for competition. Consequently, the manufacturer has time to complete an extensive testing programme before it finalises the specification and prepares cars for customer teams.
Project GT4 continues Maserati racing tradition
Project GT4 will revive a category in which Maserati has previously achieved success.
The Trofeo Light GT4 began the manufacturer’s involvement in the class in 2004. Maserati later introduced GranTurismo-based competition models, including the GranTurismo MC and MC GT4.
Those cars no longer qualify for contemporary competition, but they established a foundation that Maserati now plans to revisit with modern technology and a renewed customer racing structure.
Project GT4 also joins the existing Maserati GT2 and the track-only MCXtrema within the manufacturer’s current motorsport range. Together, the three models will offer different levels of performance and accessibility for teams and private drivers.
Maserati begins journey towards 2028 debut
The Goodwood unveiling introduced Project GT4 at the beginning rather than the end of its development process.
Maserati Corse must now turn the display car into a competitive and reliable customer racing package. The manufacturer will test its technical choices, refine the aerodynamic package and ensure that teams can operate the car effectively throughout a full season.
Nevertheless, Project GT4 gives Maserati a clear route back into one of international GT racing’s most widely contested categories.
By combining the GranTurismo’s architecture with knowledge from its GT2 programme, Maserati aims to produce a car that remains accessible to customers without sacrificing its ambition to challenge for victories from 2028.
