World Premiere for Maserati Levante Trofeo at the 2018 New York International Auto Show

• Top of the line Levante makes waves in #newyork: one of the most powerful and fastest production #maserati cars ever, storms high-end #suv segment
• New #levantetrofeo launch edition shown at #nyias, a limited series intended for select enthusiasts in the U.S. and Canada
• 3.8-litre Twin Turbo V8 engine mated to the Q4 Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system delivers 590 hp and 538 lb.- ft. (730 Nm) peak torque
• Outstanding performance and exhilarating driving experience: 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds) and a top speed faster than 187 mph (>300 km/h) in absolute style and comfort
• New carbon fibre exterior design cues accompany 22-inch forged aluminium wheels and an exclusive interior featuring sport seats wrapped in full-grain “Pieno Fiore” natural leather
• Full Matrix LED headlights, a specific “Corsa” Driving Mode with Launch Control and the #maserati Integrated Vehicle Control (IVC) system for improved driving dynamics

New York, 29 March 2018 – #maserati reveals the first Levante built around a V8 engine at the #newyork International #auto Show. It is the #levantetrofeo, 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 #levantetrofeo is equipped with one of the most powerful engines ever fitted in a #maserati. A 3.8-litre Twin Turbo V8 engine that has been engineered to perfectly mate with the Q4 Intelligent All-Wheel Drive System and delivers an astounding 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 litre (156 hp/litre) of any #maserati powerplant ever produced and, like all #maserati petrol 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 #levantetrofeo continues to embody the essence of the #maserati GranTurismo philosophy with supercar performance.

“It’s proof that when you play with the elements you end up in a storm”, says #maserati CEO Tim Kuniskis. “In the case of Trofeo, the engineers and designers in Modena knew that the driveline parameters were more than able to cope with additional power and they also knew that #maserati had access to the finest engines on earth. So, they were up to the challenge of making the finest luxury #suv also one of the fastest.”

The unmistakable Levante design has reached new levels of sportiness in this top of the line Trofeo. The elegant restyling was mainly focused on the lower front fascia and the rear bumper and is underlined by the 22-inch forged aluminium “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. And to help improve the airflow distribution, Trofeo is outfitted with carbon fibre side bezel blades and a carbon fibre splitter.

The rear end also looks wider and more muscular with a sharper carbon fibre horizontal element and body-colour lower extractor that embrace the oval quad exhaust tips. 

In front, the #levantetrofeo has Full Matrix LED headlights, a front grille with double vertical bars in a piano black finish and lower honeycomb mesh fascia, as well as body colour door handles, oval exhaust tips in a dark finish and performance painted brake calipers in red, blue, black, silver or yellow. And to cap it off, specific “Saetta” Trofeo logos adorn the iconic c-pillars of the coupé styled #suv. 

Specific details, like the lower splitter, the blade side bezels in the front air intakes, the side skirt inserts and the rear extractor are made of ultralight, high-gloss carbon fibre, giving the #levantetrofeo a polished racing look. Even the bonnet is new, featuring two aggressive vents for better cylinder head cooling. And under the bonnet, the engine cover is also made of high-gloss carbon fibre featuring a V8 inscription and the iconic Trident logo, while cylinder heads and intake manifolds are painted red.

Interior designers have come up with elegant ways to create a distinctive environment within the #levantetrofeo cabin. The sculpted sport seats feature a premium full-grain “Pieno Fiore” natural leather available in black, red and tan, all with contrast stitching and “Trofeo” logo stitched on the headrests. “Pieno Fiore” is like no other leather used in the #automotive industry for its natural, soft feel and for the unique character it develops throughout the years.

A new matte carbon fibre trim and paddle shifters, specific instrument cluster graphics, floor mats with metal Trofeo badges and a #maserati clock with a unique dial elegantly underline the exclusive sporty character of this extraordinary Levante, which is outfitted with a standard 1,280-watt, 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium surround sound audio system for exceptional listening enjoyment.

The production of the #levantetrofeo starts this summer at the refurbished #maserati plant in Mirafiori (Turin), Italy. The fastest Levante in #maserati history is initially intended for overseas export markets, including the U.S. and Canada. 

Power under control

Maserati engineers developed the mighty 3.8-litre Twin Turbo V8 engine to accommodate the Q4 Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system, providing it with a new crankcase design, specific crankshaft assembly, new oil pump and auxiliary belt and a different wiring layout.

New turbochargers feature increased flow, while redesigned cylinder heads with specific camshafts and valves, different pistons and new connecting rods allow the ability to reach the maximum power targets in combination with specific engine calibration mapping.

The #levantetrofeo is one of the fastest SUVs ever built with a top speed of over 187 mph (>300 km/h). Thanks to its remarkable weight/power ratio of 8.1 lbs./hp (3.6 kg/hp) 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 metres) of braking distance to get back to a complete stop.

The ideal 50:50 weight balance and the low centre of gravity - common to all Levante models - in combination with the finely tuned double-wishbone front / Multi Link rear suspension and the larger tyres fitted to the 22-inch forged aluminium wheels, provides the new Trofeo with remarkably balanced handling and lateral stability.

The new “Corsa" Driving mode with Launch Control functionality in addition to the existing Normal, I.C.E., Sport and Off Road modes has been adopted to enhance the athletic character of the ultimate #maserati #suv. “Corsa” driving mode further improves engine response and opens exhaust valves in acceleration, as well as provides faster gear shifting, lower air suspension height levels, sportier Skyhook damping and optimized Q4 Intelligent All-Wheel Drive settings and interacts with Traction Control and ESP systems to maximize driving pleasure.

The #maserati Integrated Vehicle Control (IVC) system has been incorporated for the first time in a Levante, for impressive driving dynamics, better performance and a genuine #maserati driving experience, by helping to prevent vehicle instability, instead of correcting “driver mistakes” as a traditional Electronic Stability Program (ESP) system does.

Further information in the press release to download