Maserati is phasing out the V8 with two special models: the last with eight cylinders

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The history of the V8 engine in road vehicles began for Maserati in 1959 with the 5000 GT. But now – more than 60 years later – it’s time to say goodbye to the eight-cylinder. Maserati also needs to comply with strict CO₂ regulations in many countries and the upcoming ban on combustion engines in the EU from 2035. Fat eight-cylinder engines can no longer be justified. Even in the US state of California, one of the Italians’ most important markets, a third of newly registered passenger cars must be emission-free by 2026.

Maserati will therefore electrify all its models from 2025, and the sports car manufacturer will only offer fully electric vehicles from 2030. Goodbye, V8: Maserati lets us drive the best eight-cylinder versions of the Ghibli and Quattroporte one last time and on the snow. Two special models are also available to celebrate the legendary engine: the Ghibli 334 Ultima and the Levante V8 Ultima.

Rear wheel power

We start with the “normal” Ghibli Trofeo with a V8 engine. First, an instructor shows how it’s done with and without traction control on the closed, snow-covered slope in Livigno (I). “It’s very easy when the helpers are on,” says the pro. But when turned off the difference is huge, the rear end dances back and forth. But the instructor masters the bends with confidence.

Now it’s our turn at the Quattroporte Trofeo. Its 580 hp (427 kW) and maximum torque of 730 Newton meters at the rear wheels provide plenty of thrust. But be careful, otherwise you will just slip. To get used to it, we first complete the course with electronic assistants. It doesn’t matter if you press the accelerator too hard or too little, the Maserati still corners.

Things look different with traction control off. What did the instructor say? “If you accelerate too much with traction control off, you will skid.” The 5.26-meter sedan is quite large and difficult to control on snowy slopes. Snow flies around the car left and right from the rear wheels, and the eight-cylinder engine provides a powerful soundtrack.

V6 also guarantees fun

All in all, the Ghibli Trofeo is around 30 centimeters shorter than the Quattroporte. The same 580 hp V8 engine beats at its heart, but it is much easier to control on snowy slopes than its older sister. Now don’t be too cocky; No matter how many assistance systems you have, the strength of many horses is completely uncontrollable.

Rear-wheel drive enough, we switch to the next-generation all-wheel drive system for the final laps: the Maserati Granturismo Trofeo, which will soon be available in dealerships as the all-electric Folgore. It has a 3-liter V6 gasoline engine that delivers 550 hp (404 kW) and 650 Newton meters of maximum torque to all four wheels. What a difference; After two relatively obscurely tuned sedans, we now sit inside an agile and responsive sports car. Do a warm-up lap in sport mode first to get used to the other type of driving.

Thanks to all-wheel drive, negotiating snow-covered corners feels much safer, and even when we switch to the so-called Corsa incline mode and turn off all the electronic aids, things move faster. After a few rounds, hubris wins out; Once we get oversteered, we start to spin around our axis like a spindle. Help systems are good, common sense is better.

Source: Blick