NY 2018: Ferrari Power For Maserati Levante Trofeo

Peter Anderson

Mar 30, 2018 — 3 min read

If you fancy a Ferrari-engined SUV but can’t wait for the real thing, you’re in luck – the Maserati Levante Trofeo is just for you.

Like the F-Pace SVR, we knew it was coming but had pretty much gotten used to the idea that it would be badged GTS. Maserati – those wily devils – instead came up with the Trofeo nameplate, possibly because the GTS badge didn’t do it justice?

Maserati Levante Trofeo

The Maser SUV has been kicking around for a couple of years now in diesel and petrol V6 forms. The petrol V6 is a belter, but only available in select markets. It’s inevitable that some buyers have held off from this game-changing SUV because they guessed a more potent car was on the way.

Obviously, they were right. The Trofeo has landed and it has a Ferrari twin-turbo V8. Yep

Power is an extraordinary, F-Pace SVR-rivalling 440kW and 730Nm. That means a 0-100km/h time of 3.9 seconds (good gracious me) and a top speed over 300km/h. That’s a big whole to punch the air, so if you’re going to do it, a Ferrari V8 is the way to go.

It’s never easy in fast SUV land. Ferrari and Maserati worked together to build a new crankcase, different wiring and a new oil pump. The two companies are obviously related, but Ferrari is used to installing this engine and its derivatives in a range of cars. If you’re wondering, it’s closely related to the California T/Portofino engine. These engines come from Ferrari Powertrain and have obvious changes when found in Maseratis or Alfas.

Chassis

Drive goes to all four wheels through a rear-biased Q4 all-wheel drive system. The ever-excellent eight-speed ZF auto manages the gears.

Thankfully, a big set of brakes haul things back under control. The 100km/h to zero (62mph to zero) stopping distance of 34.5m (about 115ft) is super-impressive

The Levante Trofeo rolls on forged 22-inch forged alloy wheels wrapped in wider, stickier tyres. The team beefed up the double wishbones front and rear to handle the load.

Just to make absolutely sure, the drive modes have all had the appropriate tweaks – Normal, ICE, Sport and off-road (snigger). Exclusive to the Trofeo, there’s also a Corsa (Race) mode, which will keep things interesting.

The Maserati Levante Trofeo is bound to be ready for you to pay for at your friendly local dealer. Unless you’re in a weird place that doesn’t allow screaming V8s.

Get a load of all of our 2018 New York Motor Show coverage here.