Maserati engineers will build exactly 206 more V8 engines. Then, the storied Italian brand will say goodbye to the glorious burbling sound that made it world-famous.
The company announced the impending end of its line of V8 engines in May. At the time, Maserati promised two special editions as a final salute to the V8. Now, we have details.
Modena’s engineers will build just 103 copies of each in tribute to the first Maserati V8. That car, a 1959 Maserati 5000 GT custom-built for the Shah of Iran, bore chassis number 103.
The two goodbye editions will make their first public appearance this week at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Both use the same 572-horsepower twin-turbo V8. Maserati has not provided pricing information on either.
Ghibli 334 Ultima
The first of the two salute models will be a limited-edition Ghibli sedan called the 334 Ultima in reference to its top speed (calm down, it’s in kilometers per hour – that’s 207 mph). Maserati claims the car is “the fastest sedan in the world.” Changes to the weight and tires, the company says, bring acceleration down from the Ghibli’s usual 4.3 second 0-60 time to just 3.9.
The special Ghibli wears a green-tinged medium blue paint Maserati calls Scià di Persia, with “334” badges on the fenders. The car rides on 21-inch wheels with glossy black brake calipers. A carbon fiber spoiler caps off the look.
While we don’t know pricing, Maserati makes clear the cars are intended as collector’s items. They will undoubtedly exceed the $122,00 price tag of the current top of the Ghibli line, the Trofeo.
Levante V8 Ultima
The second of the pair will be the Levante V8 Ultima. Maserati hasn’t provided performance numbers for this one, simply praising its “shameless speed.”
The SUV comes in the light-capturing black shade Maserati calls “Nero Assoluto” or royal blue. Both colors get red V8 Ultima badges above the fender portholes and “front and rear bumper with carbon fiber details and side skirts with carbon fiber inserts.”
Terracotta leather accents surround black seats, and that bold red V8 Ultima logo appears on the headrests.
Pricing is a secret for now. The current Levante tops out at $167,000.
Maserati’s Future
Modena isn’t saying goodbye to gasoline entirely. In the short run, future designs will use the Nettuno V6 engine lineup that powers the MC20 supercar.
But, by 2030, Maserati says it will be an all-electric brand.
“The GranTurismo Folgore will be the first 100% electric car in the brand’s history, while the Grecale Folgore will serve as the brand’s first fully electric SUV – they are the first to bear witness to this process of change and will be available in Q4 of this year in North America,” the company told us in May.
