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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.

Jay Kay's 1955 Maserati A6G/54 on the docket for Pebble Beach

Gooding & Company has revealed the highlights of its consignments for its Pebble Beach auction during the action-packed Monterey weekend. At the top of the list is the classic 1955 Maserati A6G/54 Frua Berlinetta currently owned by Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay. This Maserati, the show car from the 1955 Paris Auto Salon, features Frau coachwork, won Best in Show at the Salon Privé, and is expected to fetch between $1.5 and 2 million.
No less prestigious is the 1938 Bugatti Type 57C Stelvio convertible that belonged to Prince Louis Napoleon of France, grandson of Emperor Napoleon I and noted Bugatti collector of the time. Supercharged from the factory, the stunning two-tone droptop is projected to sell for $1.3 to 1.6 million.
Finally, an original 1966 Shelby 427 Cobra is on the docket, with pre-sale estimates at $750,000 - $950,000. See below for the full press release and watch this space as the classic car world gears up for Pebble Beach.

Maserati Shamal restomod is sketched out and could become reality

Remember the Maserati Shamal? Alright, maybe you don’t, but Maserati certainly hasnÂ’t forgotten. As this year's quasi-virtual SEMA show continues, Maserati has joined the fray by threatening to build a restomodded version of the Shamal. All we have to go on are some renderings posted to Instagram, but Maserati does a bit of explaining in its post. The company is calling this Project Rekall. If Maserati goes through with it, weÂ’d end up with a sci-fi Shamal full of modern technology conveniences and some epic, retro design. Maserati says it needs help to turn this idea into reality, and by that they mean people need to show some financial interest in such a thing. Since the Instagram post is on the Maserati Fuoriserie account, we'll assume this customization arm of the company would be doing the work. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. As a quick history lesson, the Shamal is an exceedingly rare Maserati that was sold in the early-to-mid 1990s. It was designed in part by Marcello Gandini, the famous Italian car designer who happens to have the Miura, Countach and so many other famous designs on his resume. Power came from a 3.2-liter twin-turbo V8, and it used a front-engine, rear-drive layout. These renderings depict a deeply changed Shamal. And while the boxiness and sharp edges remain, many elements of the car were revised. The changes are most obvious inside, where Maserati is showing a totally digital instrument cluster and some spacey bucket seats. WeÂ’d love to see Maserati turn it into reality, so if youÂ’re someone who would purchase a restomodded Shamal, speak up now. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Maserati wasnÂ’t quite done yet, though. A snow-munching MC20 supercar rendering also made it to Instagram. It looks as though it was lifted, fitted with studded winter tires and given a set of skis to carry around. And for whatever reason, Maserati also drew a caution tape insert on the side of the mid-engine supercar. This MC20 is definitely far off in SEMA fantasy land, but we still fully support anyone who ends up using their MC20 in the snow one day.