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Maserati Levante could get a V8 to battle the Cayenne Turbo

Maserati's new Levante crossover is based on the platform shared by the Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans. The Quattroporte's top engine is a 523-horsepower, twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8. When asked if that engine would fit in the Levante, a Maserati engineer gave the answer we were hoping to hear almost immediately. "Yes, it fits, and we have a prototype already," said Davide Danesin, the head of Maserati vehicle programs. The Levante will launch with two models, both of which use the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that Ferrari builds for Maserati, but in two different tunes. The first generation of the V6 launched in the Ghibli and Quattroporte. While the V8 is only currently used in the rear-drive Quattroporte GTS, Danesin assures us that packaging the V8 and an all-wheel-drive system works. There is that prototype, after all. The fact that Danesin volunteered that a V8 prototype exists leads us to believe it's being very seriously considered, since manufacturers reluctantly acknowledge that there will even be a future, let alone one that will bring new, as-yet-unannounced products. Maserati officials caution that it may be tough to make a case for such a vehicle, however, as the over-500-hp SUV segment is pretty small, at about 12,000 units per year by their estimates. It's also relatively crowded, with the logical bogeys being the Porsche Cayenne Turbo (520 hp) and Turbo S (570 hp) and the Range Rover Sport SVR (550 hp). None of them will touch the Levante's upcoming American cousin, the Hellcat-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, but that's cool. View 21 Photos We'd guess that the yay/nay on a V8 Levante will hinge on the overall popularity of the new model as well as the mix of 345-hp Levante versus 424-hp Levante S models once customers start ordering. Which is to say, if you think you'll want a V8 Levante eventually, get out there and buy a few Levante S models when they hit dealers this October. In other Maserati powertrain news, we're told the second-generation V6, which makes 20 more horsepower in its angriest tune and debuts in the Levante, will show up in the Ghibli and Quattroporte "soon." We'd peg that at mid-cycle refresh time, which should be in a year or so. The second-gen V6 gets its extra power from re-profiled camshafts, some redesign work on the heads, and other tweaks, likely in software. Oh, and for more on the first Maserati crossover and that updated engine, watch for our first drive of the twin-turbo V6 Levante very soon.

Maserati Ghibli Trofeo, Quattroporte Trofeo revealed with Ferrari V8; Levante Trofeo updated

Maserati just revealed a new Trofeo line of vehicles. They include the Ghibli Trofeo, Quattroporte Trofeo and an updated Levante Trofeo. We’re most excited about the new Ghibli Trofeo, which drops a V8 into the smaller Ghibli for the first time. Just like the Levante Trofeo, itÂ’s using the Ferrari 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 that makes a whopping 580 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque. This is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, and power is routed exclusively to the rear wheels. Yeah Â… itÂ’s bound to be a bit hair-raising. Maserati says the 0-62 mph run is completed in 4.3 seconds, and it has a top speed of 202 mph. Updates to the exterior include new 21-inch wheels, carbon aero trim, black grille, rear extractor, more air outlets on the hood, redesigned taillights and the trident Trofeo badge sitting aft of the rear window. A new Trofeo script badge sits above red-accented trim on the fender for all three models now, too. Next up is the Quattroporte Trofeo. This one amounts to more of an incremental update, as Maserati already sells the Quattroporte in GTS trim. The V8 engine makes 530 horsepower in that lesser trim, but Maserati pumps it up to the full 580 horses for the Trofeo. Power is sent to the rear wheels only in this model. Since itÂ’s a larger and heavier sedan than the Ghibli, 62 mph comes two tenths of a second slower at 4.5 seconds. Top speed is identical to the Ghibli at 202 mph, though. Last up is the Levante Trofeo, which makes do with the same exact engine as before. Interestingly enough, the Levante is quicker to 62 mph than the sedans, hitting the mark in just 4.1 seconds. However, Maserati has dressed up the exterior and interior a bit more. The three share interior design details, including Pieno Fiore leather, trident-embossed headrests, carbon trim and Trofeo-specific digital graphics.  The Ghibli and Quattroporte gain larger 10.1-inch touchscreens with better resolution. Maserati retained the 8.4-inch screen on the Levante, but updated it with better graphics and a higher resolution. Both timing and pricing remain question marks for the new Trofeo models. Related video:

Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo, GMC Yukon XL, Tesla earnings, Maine Mitsubishi Delicas | Autoblog Podcast #689

In this episode of the Autoblog Podcast, Editor-in-Chief Greg Migliore is joined by Road Test Editor Zac Palmer. They discuss recently driven cars: the GMC Yukon XL diesel, Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo and Acura TLX Type-S. After that comes recent Tesla news along with cancelled Mitsubishi Delica registrations in the state of Maine. Finally, the editors help a reader spend their money on an affordable crossover. Send us your questions for the Mailbag and Spend My Money at: Podcast@Autoblog.com. Autoblog Podcast #689 Get The Podcast Apple Podcasts – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes Spotify – Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast on Spotify RSS – Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator MP3 – Download the MP3 directly Rundown What we're driving: 2021 GMC Yukon XL diesel 2021 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo 2022 Acura TLX Type-S News: Tesla earnings and delays Mitsubishi Delica registrations in Maine Spend my money Feedback Email – Podcast@Autoblog.com Review the show on Apple Podcasts Autoblog is now live on your smart speakers and voice assistants with the audio Autoblog Daily Digest. Say “Hey Google, play the news from Autoblog” or "Alexa, open Autoblog" to get your favorite car website in audio form every day. A narrator will take you through the biggest stories or break down one of our comprehensive test drives. Related video: