Maserati Bids Adieu to V8 engines
Ferrari announced in 2019 that it would cease supplying Maserati with its engines by the end of 2023. This decision was made as Ferrari concentrates on its own vehicles while Maserati prepares to transition to electric power.
The time has now come for the company with the trident emblem to bid farewell to the potent Ferrari-sourced V8 powerplant, doing so in a typically Maserati way.
Say hello to the Ghibli 334 Ultima and Levante V8 Ultima models that use the V8 powerplant for the last time and are debuting at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Let’s talk numbers. If you are wondering what the ‘334’ suffix stands for, it denotes the Ghibli 334 Ultima’s top speed in kilometres, thus making it the fastest ICE-powered sedan in Maserati’s history.
Both models share the same 3.8-litre V8 engine that spews out 426kW and 730Nm of torque, suitable for a 3.9-second and 4.1-second sprint to 100km/h from a standstill, respectively. While the Ghibli 334 Ultima’s 334km/h top speed is the star of the show, the Levante’s V-max is nothing to scoff at. It will continue accelerating to 302km/h.
The Ghibli Ultima model features bespoke elements, such as 21-inch wheels with dark accents, gloss black brake callipers, and a carbon fibre boot spoiler. The interior looks attractive with the inclusion of Pale Terracotta leather upholstery, Alcantara treatment for the seat centre, Trident and 334 emblems in various interior spots. Lastly, a ‘una di 103‘ or translated ‘one of 103’ logo can be found on the centre console.
Sporting a Nero Assoulte and Blu Royale shade, the Levante V8 Ultima is equipped with larger 22-inch black alloys, a default carbon fibre exterior package, and ‘V8 Ultima’ emblems on the front fenders.
On the inside, the Pale Terracotta design theme continues, complemented by black leather seats. Everything else has been carried over from the sedan, from the logos highlighting its exclusivity to its feature list.
The End
These unique models are the last of their kind, and for its future products, Maserati will use its own Nettuno 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo engine that has been developed in-house and debuted in the MC20 supercar. This same engine also powers the GranTurismo, GranCabrio, and Grecale Trofeo models.
The brand uses the Folgore powerplant capable of producing up to 559kW and a neck-twisting 1,000Nm of torque for its EV projects.
