Maserati revealed the first Levante built around a V8 engine at the New York International Auto Show.
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It is the Levante Trofeo, the ultimate Maserati of SUVs, capable of accelerating in style from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds) and reaching a top speed of over 187 mph (>300 km/h). The Levante Trofeo is equipped with one of the most powerful engines ever fitted in a Maserati. A 3.8-liter Twin Turbo V8 engine has been engineered to perfectly mate with the Q4 Intelligent All-Wheel Drive System and 590 hp at 6,250 rpm and 538 lb.-ft. (730 Nm) of peak torque at 2,250 – 5,000 rpm.
The engine boasts the highest output per liter (156 hp/liter) of any Maserati powerplant ever produced and, like all Maserati gasoline engines, is assembled by Ferrari in Maranello, Italy. The chassis of the fastest Levante ever has been tuned to handle the higher power output and provides an exhilarating driving experience with no compromise in terms of comfort. This tuning ensures the Levante Trofeo continues to embody the essence of the Maserati GranTurismo philosophy with supercar performance.
The elegant restyling was mainly focused on the lower front fascia and the rear bumper and is underlined by the 22-inch forged aluminum "Orione" wheels – the largest ever fitted on a Maserati – available in both polished and matte finishes. The side air intakes in the lower fascia feature a new, more aggressive design, defined by two aerodynamic wings that give a sense of further stability, visually "pushing" the weight of the car's nose towards the massive front wheels.
The Levante is outfitted with a standard 1,280-watt, 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium surround sound audio system for exceptional listening enjoyment. Maserati engineers developed the mighty 3.8-liter Twin Turbo V8 engine to accommodate the Q4 Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system. The Trofeo needs only 3.7 seconds to reach 60 mph (3.9 seconds for 0-100 km/h) and only 113 feet (34.5 meters) of braking distance to get back to a complete stop. ■
