Specific details were not provided, but the technology that Maserati plans on using under license is centered around lightweight composite materials and metals. All of it has been developed by Airbus Group Innovations, the aviation giant’s in-house research and development department.
“By evaluating this broad spectrum of technologies, Maserati can benefit from Airbus Group capabilities exploited in several applications, such as airliners, helicopters and fast jets to spacecraft that are exploring the universe,” explained Maserati CEO Harald Wester in a statement published shortly after the deal was inked.
The first Maserati to incorporate Airbus-sourced technology will likely be the production version of the Alfieri concept (pictured) that was shown in Geneva earlier this year. Targeted squarely at the Porsche 911 and the Jaguar F-Type, the coupe is expected to land in showrooms in 2016.
The deal is part of Airbus’ Technology Transfer Framework program, which aims to help the company reap the rewards of economies of scale by sharing know-how with partners from outside of the aviation industry.
“We developed the Technology Transfer Framework with industry leaders such as Maserati in mind, and it is being selectively offered to a limited number of potential partners,” affirmed Wulf Hoeflich, the chief of Airbus’ technology licensing department.
Hoeflich did not disclose if Airbus is planning on working with other car companies in the near future.
Maserati is not the first automaker to team up with an aviation company. About two years ago, BMW and Boeing signed a multi-year collaboration agreement that called for both sides to share knowledge about carbon fiber.
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