It’s the top of the highway for the V8 engine at Maserati, and the corporate is sending it off in fashion with restricted editions of the Ghibli sedan and the Levante SUV.
The 2024 Ghibli 334 Ultima and the Levante Ultima would be the final Maseratis with an engine format that has powered a few of the quickest and most unique automobiles constructed by the Italian firm since 1959.
Maserati’s lengthy goodbye farewells the F154 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 shared with Ferrari, which has powered top-of-the-range variations of the Ghibli sedan and the Levante SUV since 2018.
In Maserati specification, the F154 contains a cross-plane crank and a moist sump – the Ferrari model used within the Roma, F8 Tributo, and SF90, is dry-sumped, with a flat-plane crank. Within the Levante and Ghibli, it develops 426kW at 6750rpm, and 730Nm between 2250rpm and 5250rpm.
Simply 103 Ghibli 334 Ultimas might be supplied, all painted in a deep pearlescent blue referred to as Blu di Persia. Each the quantity to be constructed and the color they’re all painted are a nod to Maserati’s first ever V8-powered highway automotive, the 5000GT.
Maserati constructed simply 34 5000GTs between 1959 and 1966, with our bodies from 9 totally different coachbuilders.
The 5000GT was created on the request of the Shah of Iran, who needed a automotive that mixed the consolation and options of Maserati’s six-cylinder 3500GT coupe with the efficiency of its V8-powered 450S sports activities racer, and supplied to pay the event prices to get it constructed.
Recognized internally because the Tipo 103, the Shah’s automotive had bodywork painted a novel shade of blue.
And the 334 bit? That refers back to the limited-edition Ghibli’s prime pace, in kilometres per hour, which Maserati says makes it the quickest four-door sedan on this planet.
Along with its particular blue paint and the usual carbon exterior package deal, the Ghibli 334 Ultima is distinguished by a regular rear spoiler, matte darkish graphite 21-inch alloy wheels, and a ‘334’ brand painted in pink on the entrance guards.
Inside is an inside trimmed in black Alcantara and pale terracotta leather-based, with carbon fibre accents, 334 logos stitched into the seats, and a numbered plaque on the centre console.
We couldn’t verify the 334 Ultima’s claimed prime pace, which is 8km/h greater than that of the common Ghibli Trofeo, on the snowy, sinuous mountain roads we encountered on our drive within the Italian Alps.
And we’ll should take Maserati’s phrase that its 3.9 second 0-100km/h time is 0.4 seconds faster than the Ghibli Trofeo. However we discovered sufficient dry(ish) tarmac to sometimes benefit from the V8’s animal snarl and intoxicating chew above 4000rpm. The F154 feels splendidly vibrant and alive on the prime finish for a turbocharged engine.
The place did the additional efficiency come from? In a phrase, finessing. Although the 334 Ultima’s homologated weight of 2020kg is an identical to that of the Trofeo, it weighs 25kg much less because of its extra sport-oriented commonplace gear. The rear spoiler additionally helps cut back drag at excessive speeds.
And particular, stickier compound tires assist the automotive launch tougher from a standing begin.
Heavy snow and freezing temperatures additionally meant we couldn’t uncover whether or not the 334 Ultima’s particular compound tyres improved prolonged its dynamic envelope past that of the Ghibli Trofeo.
Our check automotive was as an alternative fitted with Pirelli’s glorious Sottozero 3 winter tires, and the circumstances examined their capabilities to the restrict. What we are able to say is that the traction and stability management protocols within the Regular and Sport drive modes work properly on slick surfaces, intervening rapidly and easily to assist maintain the 334 Ultima on the highway.
Corsa mode dials again the digital nannies, which meant we solely dared attempt it a few occasions. Other than the stiffer trip and crisper throttle response, Corsa properly sharpened the upshifts eight-speed automated transmission.
Downshifts, even in handbook mode, remained disappointingly sluggish, nonetheless. Along with faster downshifts, we’d additionally like a firmer, extra decisive brake pedal to raised finesse braking, particularly on slippery surfaces.
On the identical roads, in the identical circumstances, the calm composure of the Levante Ultima proved why highly effective, all-wheel drive SUVs might rightly be thought of the grand turismos of the 21st century.
All-wheel drive doesn’t rewrite the legal guidelines of physics, in fact, however it does permit the Levante, which boasts a claimed prime pace of 304km/h, to confidently sort out all roads in all weathers.
At 2240kg, the Levante Ultima weighs 220kg greater than the Ghibli 334 Ultima, which dulls the response of the F154 V8 only a tad.
That stated, along with propelling the Levante Ultima to greater than 300km/h, the engine nonetheless has muscle sufficient to hustle the massive, bluff Maserati from 0 to 100km/h in 4.1 seconds.
A complete of 206 Levante Ultimas might be constructed, 103 of them painted blue (a color referred to as Blu Royale), the opposite 103 completed in a black named Nero Assoluto, with a ‘V8 Ultima’ brand painted on the entrance guards.
All roll on black-painted 22in alloy wheels. Just like the Ghibli 334 Ultima, the Levante Ultimas will all come geared up with a carbon exterior package deal and an inside trimmed in pale terracotta and black, though the seat materials is all leather-based somewhat than the 334’s leather-based and Alcantara mixture.
Maserati has constructed greater than 100,000 V8-powered automobiles since 1959, so the Ghibli 334 Ultima (5 of that are coming to Australia) and the Levante Ultima (two of that are heading to our shores) symbolize the top of an period.
Nevertheless it’s not simply the V8 that’s going away; by the top of 2025 each the Ghibli and the Levante themselves might be changed by all new fashions.
The Ghibli nameplate will the truth is disappear altogether. Instead might be a brand new sedan constructed on a model of the platform that underpins the Gran Turismo coupe that goes on sale in Australia in 2024.
Will probably be badged Quattroporte – the present sedan of the identical title, which is offered in abroad markets, can also be being phased out – and, just like the Gran Turismo, might be obtainable with the Nettuno V6 inner combustion engine or the Folgore electrical powertrain.
The all-new Levante is scheduled to debut in 2025. And whereas Maserati has stated it’s dedicated to having nothing however EVs in its lineup by 2030, don’t be stunned if the Trident model’s up to date flagship SUV lineup contains fashions with a Nettuno V6 below the bonnet in addition to pure electrical powered variations.
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