Maserati Plots a Return to GT4 Racing With Project GT4

Developed by Maserati Corse, the finished article is intended to complement the existing GT2 programme rather than replace it – despite ongoing cuts across the Stellantis Group – giving the Italian marque a presence in one of the fastest-growing segments in international GT racing.

In a bid to control costs, regulations dictate that cars must be homologated from a road-going production car. Project GT4 therefore shares its aluminium architecture, longitudinally mounted 3.0-litre Nettuno V6 and rear-wheel-drive layout with the recently revised GranTurismo.

Although final specifications have yet to be confirmed, Maserati claims Project GT4 is around 400kg lighter than its production counterpart. Suspension is derived from the GranTurismo Trofeo, featuring adjustable dampers and anti-roll bars, alongside a substantially revised aerodynamic package designed specifically for circuit use.

The bodywork gains a prominent front splitter, dive planes and a vented bonnet, while a roll cage, homologated racing seat and fuel tank, dedicated brake cooling and 18-inch GT4-specification wheels complete the transformation from grand tourer to customer race car.

The engine's output has not yet been disclosed and will ultimately be determined by the car's GT4 homologation and Balance of Performance, although Maserati has been keen to point out it has produced more than 690bhp in other applications.

Development will draw heavily on knowledge gained since the launch of the Maserati GT2 programme in 2023, with multiple world champion and Maserati chief test driver Andrea Bertolini playing a key role in chassis development and testing.

Project GT4 was unveiled wearing a special launch livery commemorating the centenary of the Trident emblem. A large Trident graphic stretches from the roof to the rear deck, accompanied by 100 subtle blue Trident motifs. The white nose references the Maserati 420M/58 Eldorado, while the blue and yellow accents pay tribute to the marque's hometown of Modena.

Maserati says development of the new customer racer has only just begun, with a competition debut targeted for the 2028 season. It will sit alongside the GT2 and track-only MCXtrema as part of an expanded Maserati Corse customer motorsport programme. The move also returns the marque to a category it previously contested with the GranTurismo GT4 and Trofeo Light GT4.

Maserati will face stiff competition in an increasingly crowded class. Porsche has just unveiled the 911 GT4 R, its first 911-based GT4 customer car, offering 520PS in unrestricted form (reduced to 430PS under Balance of Performance regulations) and due to race from 2027. BMW's S58-powered M4 GT4 EVO, in competition since 2025, remains a proven front-engined rival, while the Aston Martin Vantage GT4 continues to compete as one of the category's established grid regulars.