2014 Maserati Quattroporte Gts on 2040-cars

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Alfa Romeo Giulia to get Ferrari-related engine

Alfa Romeo has a long, proud history of using V6 engines in its coupes, sedans, and sports cars over the years, but as the new Giulia sedan approaches, the Italian marque is allegedly turning to Ferrari for its next six-cylinder. This is obviously not the first time a Ferrari-sourced or derived engine has been found under an Alfa's long hood. While 8C Competizione famously used a version of Ferrari's F136 V8 during its short run, the Giulia's new V6 will be offered on a much larger scale, slotting in above an entry level, four-cylinder turbo (likely the next-gen version of the 4C sports car's 1.75-liter engine). According to Autocar, the new V6 will be "specially developed for Alfa Romeo," and will be built at the Termoli engine factory alongside the new turbo four-cylinder. As for the rest of the Giulia, Autocar has been able to shine a light on a number of other details about the new midsizer. It will, thankfully, be rear-wheel drive, and designed to counter the "mostly cold and clinical" and soulless cars of the German competition, Maserati chief Harald Wester told AC. Some of the new sedan's structural elements will even be shared with Maserati's entry level model, the Ghibli. Most notable of all, though, is what the Giulia means for American consumers. After the limited-run 8C and the niche 4C, the new sedan will lead Alfa Romeo's long-awaited, large-scale return, where it will combat the popular BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, not to mention rivals like the Cadillac ATS and Lexus IS. Look for more on the Giulia next week when it's officially revealed in Milan.

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:

2021 Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo First Drive Review | For the Ferrari faithful

Maserati is fighting hard for relevance right now. Its car lineup is severely dated with both the Quattroporte and Ghibli. The Levante faces more accomplished competition. At least there is hope on the horizon in the form of the Alfa — ahem, Maserati — MC20 mid-engine supercar and high-tech Nettuno engine. Plus, with the Grecale crossover soon to come, there could be brighter days ahead. ThatÂ’s tomorrow, but today we still have the vanguards of the early 2010s. The current flagship, more or less by default, is the big Quattroporte, and Maserati is giving it the Trofeo treatment for 2021 in an effort to bring it back onto our radar. Previous to now, the Trofeo trim was limited to the Levante. In the Quattroporte, the Trofeo formula is similar. It plops in the unbridled version of the Ferrari-sourced 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine — red wrinkle paint and all — making 580 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque. It is, without a doubt, the brightest and best part of this car. The most potent version previous to now was the Quattroporte GTS with its 530-horse version of the same Ferrari V8. Very little is done to the exterior to let you know this Quattroporte is the Trofeo apart from the script on the front fenders that are accentuated with red-painted side air ducts. Beyond this, the C-pillarÂ’s Maserati logo gets a red lightning bolt, and more carbon fiber trim is used throughout. It also comes with 21-inch forged aluminum wheels, a glossy black grille finish and the same restyled taillights applied throughout the 2021 Quattroporte lineup. Unlike “look-at-me” performance offerings from Mercedes-AMG or BMW's Alpina, MaseratiÂ’s Trofeo is notably subtle. This not only goes for the Trofeo extras, but the Quattroporte in general. The big trident in the grille announces its presence, but just as it's been from the beginning, the current-generation Quattroporte simply fades into the background in a parking lot. Our test car's beige paint certainly doesn't help. While most prefer their big luxury sedans to be restrained and tasteful, aren't Italian sedans supposed to have a certain degree of excitement and flare?  At least the Trofeo will be recognizable by the sound it makes. Even with a pair of turbochargers attached, the Ferrari engine and exhaust note are unmistakable. Although the V8 is the same basic engine as the Levante Trofeo's, the Quattroporte version gets new turbochargers, stronger internal components and new camshafts and valves.