If there’s a right way to celebrate a centennial, Maserati seems determined to find it—preferably under bright lights, surrounded by carbon fiber, bespoke paint, and the low hum of electrification. At the 2026 Brussels Motor Show, running January 9–18, the House of the Trident isn’t just exhibiting cars; it’s opening the Year of the Trident with a full-throated reminder of why the badge still matters.

This year marks 100 years since the Trident first appeared—borrowed from Bologna’s Neptune Fountain and now inseparable from Maserati’s identity—and also a century since the brand’s first racing appearance at the Targa Florio, where the Tipo 26 promptly won its class. History, in other words, is doing some heavy lifting here. But Maserati isn’t content to let nostalgia carry the stand. Instead, Brussels becomes a case study in how the brand wants to balance heritage, performance, and a very modern push toward electrification.

The Maserati stand in Hall 11—put together by longtime partner D’Ieteren—has been one of the show’s busiest, and not just because of the badge. Four production models anchor the display: the MCPURA Cielo, GranCabrio Folgore, Grecale Folgore, and the Grecale Lumina Blu Special Edition. Together, they outline Maserati’s current playbook: keep the engines emotional, the interiors indulgent, and the future unmistakably electric.

The real theater, though, happened after hours. On Saturday, January 10, Maserati hosted an exclusive VIP evening that leaned hard into Italian drama, unveiling cars with more symbolism than subtlety. Chief among them were the one-off GranTurismo and GranCabrio Meccanica Lirica—rolling tributes to Modena, opera, and the return of GranTurismo production to the brand’s historic home.

“Meccanica Lirica” isn’t just a poetic name slapped on a special paint job. These cars were created at Officine Fuoriserie Maserati, the brand’s bespoke atelier, and they lean into sensory storytelling. The GranTurismo wears Rosso Velluto, a deep red inspired by opera house curtains, while the GranCabrio glows in Oro Lirico, meant to evoke the warmth of stage lighting under an open sky. It’s theatrical, yes—but deliberately so, and very Maserati.

Sharing the spotlight was the GT2 Stradale, the road-legal evolution of Maserati’s GT2 race car. Less metaphor, more muscle. With track-derived engineering and a clear focus on performance, it serves as a reminder that while Maserati is leaning into luxury and electrification, it hasn’t forgotten how to go fast—or why that matters to its identity.

Back on the show floor, the MCPURA Cielo arguably tells the most complete story of modern Maserati. The open-top supercar gets refreshed styling, higher-grade materials, and an interior that feels more bespoke than before. Power still comes from the Nettuno V6, complete with its Formula 1–derived pre-chamber combustion tech—a reassuring nod to the brand’s racing DNA in an increasingly electric lineup. The Brussels car is finished in Aqua Rainbow from the Fuoriserie palette, a color that looks different depending on how the light hits it—and probably exactly how Maserati intended.

Electrification, of course, is impossible to miss. The GranCabrio Folgore pairs classic Maserati proportions with a fully electric drivetrain, offering open-air driving for four and a claimed top speed of 290 km/h—making it the fastest electric convertible currently on the market. If nothing else, it proves that going electric doesn’t mean going quiet in character.

The Grecale Folgore takes a more practical route, positioning itself as a premium electric SUV with up to 580 km of WLTP range. Finished in Verde Royale with Ghiaccio interiors, it also features an AWD-Disconnect system designed to extend range when all-wheel drive isn’t needed. It’s the sensible Maserati—if such a thing exists.

Then there’s the European debut of the Grecale Lumina Blu Special Edition, which leans into visual drama rather than drivetrain headlines. Night Interaction exterior elements contrast with 21-inch Pegaso wheels, yellow brake calipers, and a yellow Trident on the C-pillar. Inside, Chocolate leather and open-pore briarwood inserts complete a cabin that feels more tailored lounge than SUV interior.

All of it adds up to a brand very aware of its moment. As Maserati COO Santo Ficili put it, the enthusiasm in Brussels reflects “a vision that unites heritage, innovation, and artisanal excellence.” Translation: Maserati believes it can honor its past without being trapped by it—and still compete in a high-performance luxury world that’s changing fast.

If the crowds in Brussels are any indication, the Trident’s second century is off to a confident, carefully choreographed start.

Source: Maserati