Maserati Levante Trofeo: 590 CV V8 high-performance SUV

With its 3.8-litre V8 engine producing 580 CV, the Maserati Levante becomes one of the fastest and most sporty high-performance SUVs on the market.

Maserati chose the New York Auto Show to unveil the top-of-the-range version of the Levante, the new Maserati Levante Trofeo, which debuts initially as a special launch edition aimed at the American and Canadian markets.

Twin-turbo V8 engine and 580 CV

With its twin-turbo V8 engine, the Maserati Levante Trofeo becomes one of the most powerful models in the history of the trident brand. And one of the fastest SUVs on the market. Take a look at its figures. The engine delivers 590 CV at 6,250 rpm, and a maximum torque of 730 Nm available between 2,250 and 5,000 rpm. To begin with, this is the engine with the highest specific power output Maserati has fitted to date in any of its models, with 156 CV per litre of displacement.

Assembled at the Ferrari plant, and designed to pair with the Q4 Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system and the demands of a car like this, the engine receives modifications such as redesigned cylinder heads, new turbochargers with greater exhaust gas flow, and specific pistons and connecting rods, among other things.

The performance of this SUV puts many elite sports cars to shame: capable of exceeding 300 km/h, the Maserati Levante Trofeo takes just 3.9 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h. To put that in perspective, this means it accelerates in the same time as an Audi RS 5, to give one example.

An SUV that can leave the road… and enter the circuit

But fitting such a powerful engine into a car with SUV bodywork is of little use if the chassis is not properly engineered. And clearly, when a Levante Trofeo leaves the road, it will not be looking for trails or tracks: it will be heading for a circuit.

With a centre of gravity that is remarkably low for an SUV, a 50:50 weight distribution, a power-to-weight ratio of 3.6 kg/CV and specifically tuned suspension, the Maserati Levante Trofeo also features, for the first time, the Integrated Vehicle Control (IVC) chassis control system. And an additional driving mode was essential, alongside the Normal, ICE, Sport and Off Road programmes available on petrol and diesel V6 Maserati Levante models.

Selecting “Corsa” mode means maximum performance: the throttle response becomes more instantaneous, the exhaust note becomes more sporty under acceleration, the air suspension adopts its lowest position, gear changes are quicker, the suspension firms up, and all-wheel drive works in conjunction with the traction control and ESP to deliver maximum driving enjoyment.

Maserati Levante Trofeo: an unmistakable design

If the Maserati Levante is already unmistakable in its design, the Levante Trofeo takes it to another level. Dedicated bumpers are joined by striking front air intakes, a carbon-fibre splitter, a front grille with black finish and honeycomb mesh, and oval exhaust outlets.

But one of the most distinctive features of the Maserati Levante Trofeo is its 22-inch wheels, the largest ever fitted to a model from the brand. With a triple five-spoke design, they reveal brake calipers that can be painted red, blue, yellow, black or silver.

There are also exclusive details inside, such as the floor mats with metal badges bearing the version name, specific instrumentation or matt carbon-fibre trim. The standard audio system is a powerful Bowers & Wilkins unit with 1,280 watts and 17 speakers, although Levante owners will have to turn up the volume if they want the music to rise above the symphony produced by the Italian V8.

For the Levante Trofeo launch edition, the Maserati will be offered in eight exterior body colours, with 22-inch wheels as standard, sports seats available in black leather with blue or yellow stitching, and LED matrix headlights.

Image gallery Maserati Levante Trofeo