Klaus Busse on Maserati’s Italian DNA, Gran Turismo Philosophy, and the Art of Exclusivity

Klaus Busse has been steering Maserati, one of Italy’s finest automotive brands, as head of design since October 2015. Under his leadership, the Trident—as Maserati is often called, thanks to its iconic trident emblem—has produced some of the most beautiful and evocative cars in the world. At the top of that jawdropping list is the award-winning MC20. For over a decade, Busse has not only created stunning vehicles but also driven extraordinary collaborations, special editions, and expanded Maserati’s bespoke programme. Busse speaks to  Robb Report India to reveal what makes Maserati stand out from the crowd, the creation of special editions, and more.

Robb Report India (RR): What differentiates Italian automotive design from others? 

Klaus Busse (KB) : Italian design is about doing what is best in the moment, without being tied down by legacy or heritage. And that creates amazing masterpieces of Italian design– they’re always fresh, radical, and ahead of the curve. Look at Maserati’s history: in the 1950s, cars like the 3500GT had fuselages inspired by aircraft of the era. In the mid-1960s, the 66 Ghibli featured a flat body because technology allowed retractable windows without bulky shoulders. They are radically different designs, yet both undeniably Maserati, and undeniably Italian.

RR: How do you create a luxurious silhouette that looks like it’s moving even at a standstill? 

KB: The first step is understanding our customers’ lifestyles. Maserati is a Gran Turismo (grand touring) brand, which we consider the noblest form of transportation. Over time, many brands have abandoned this concept, but we are one of the few that fully embraces it. Gran Turismo combines two essential elements: performance and style. Together, they allow a long journey to be effortless while arriving in style. That’s what creates the luxury appearance.

RR: Is a GT car a specific form? 

KB: For me, a GT is less about a specific form and more about the concept. A GT is comfortable yet fierce. Take the Bora, for example. Designed in the 1970s, it was a cab-forward design with the engine at the back, yet it remained a GT car. Similarly, the Maserati Levante is a GT car because we envisioned it as an elevated coupé. Then there’s the classic Ghibli. All these cars embody the perfect balance of performance and style, and that’s what makes them Gran Turismo in my eyes.

RR: How do you choose materials for the interiors? 

KB: Usually, cabin designers first create the shape and then hand it to colour and material designers to dress it further. At Maserati, we start with colour and materials from the outset. I consciously guide my  interior designers to create cleaner, simpler shapes, so the materials themselves drive the design.

RR: How do you communicate the idea of exclusivity through design? 

KB: The most important thing is that it must look and feel like a Maserati. And that automatically creates exclusivity. When I see a sketch, it never talks to my brain or heart. It talks to my solar plexus. That’s the area where I feel the buzz. And then I know that I’m on the right track.

RR: What goes into the creation of a special edition? 

KB: Great question! Let me give you some recent examples. First, Giorgetti, a luxury furniture maker from Milan. I’ve known CEO Giovanni Delvecchio for some time. When I visited his showroom on Via Spiga, we explored the idea of a Maserati-inspired furniture edition. Whenever we create events or new flagship stores, we need furniture. With Giorgetti’s head of design Giancarlo Bozzio, we created a collection that extends the Maserati universe into furniture. Then we asked ourselves, why not go the other way and create a special edition Giorgetti? For me, a true collaboration requires a partner who helps tell the story. You can’t do it alone.