The Maserati V8 engine family, a collection of 90-degree, naturally aspirated and later turbocharged, V8 engines have been created, developed, and produced by Maserati for nearly 45 years.
The V8RI, a racing variation, debuted in 1939 with the Maserati 5000 GT, a road-going derivative, following in 1959, and later the Maserati 3200 GT, which ended production in 2002.
Production of the engines, which had a displacement range of 3.2-6.46-litres, lasted until 2002. It was eventually replaced – but not to be confused with – by the Ferrari-Maserati engine, which was created entirely by Ferrari and utilised in a number of Maserati cars.
However, the tides have changed and the end is nigh. The Trofeo versions of the Levante, Ghibli, and Quattroporte, together with the Ferrari-built powertrain, will cease manufacturing in late 2023, according to the manufacturer, signalling the end of the days for Maserati’s turbocharged V8.
Until the V8 is replaced in the lineup’s future by the Nettuno V6 and the Folgore EVs, the models will continue to be sold until 2024, as long as the stock presently on hand lasts.
Speaking of V6, the twin-turbocharged V6 engine that powers the Ghibli was initially rated at 404 hp for the Ghibli S, but in 2017 it was increased to 424 hp. Despite having similarities to the Alfa Romeo V6 engine, which is also made by Ferrari, the Maserati engine is distinct from the Alfa Romeo engine because it is a 60-degree V6 rather than the 90-degree unit used by Alfa Romeo (using a block cast by Chrysler). The high performance Levante SUV and some Quattroporte versions utilise the same component.
Given that Maserati has produced more than 100,000 vehicles since 1959, the company’s decision to end manufacture of its V8-powered models is a big one. For fans of Maserati and automobiles in general, this change is bittersweet.
The twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 engine’s current iteration, which is renowned for its exceptional performance, will be the last in the brand’s history because Ferrari no longer supplies Maserati. In its most recent configuration, the engine powers the Levante, Ghibli, and Quattroporte Trofeo, which made its debut in 2020, with 572 hp and 730 Nm of torque.
The Ghibli 334 Ultima and Levante V8 Ultima special editions will be unveiled by Maserati at the July 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed as a farewell to the V8.
The fifth Motor Valley Festival, which took place in Modena between May 11 and 14, is where the dreadful news about the V8 was revealed. The Levante, Ghibli, and Quattroporte Zèda editions were displayed by Maserati at the event’s Piazza XX Settembre. The unique versions were developed to “celebrate the V8,” mimicking the special 2019 Maserati GranTurismo Zèda’s blue, grey, and white gradient scheme. Additionally, the one-of-a-kind GranTurismo Prisma, which is based on the new generation, will be displayed at the dealership on Viale Ciro Menotti beside two vintage vehicles.
According to recent reports, Maserati’s next models are about to undergo a substantial change. The new Quattroporte and Levante, which are expected to make their debuts in 2024 and 2025, respectively, will embrace a purely electric future and do away with internal combustion engines (ICE) completely. Maserati will still satisfy the needs of fans of performance, nevertheless. With the advent of zero-emission Folgore trims, the GranTurismo sports car, Grecale SUV, and MC20 supercar will continue to offer a variety of models propelled by the powerful Nettuno V6 engine.
By 2025, Maserati committed to offering fully electric models across the entire range of its vehicles, and by 2030, it will only be producing electric vehicles (EVs).
