Maserati has revealed the first Levante built around a V8 engine at the 2018 New York International Auto Show. It is the Levante Trofeo, the ultimate Maserati of SUVs.
The Levante Trofeo is equipped with one of the most powerful engines ever fitted in a Maserati. The 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine has been engineered to perfectly mate with the Q4 Intelligent All-Wheel Drive System and delivers an astounding 590hp of power at 6250rpm and 730Nm of peak torque at 2250-5000rpm.
The engine boasts the highest output per litre (156hp per litre) of any Maserati powerplant ever produced and, like all Maserati petrol engines, is assembled by Ferrari in Maranello, Italy.
The Levante Trofeo is definitely one of the fastest SUVs ever built, with a top speed of over 300km/h. Thanks to its remarkable weight-to-power ratio of 3.6kg per hp, the car needs only 3.9 seconds to reach 100 km/h from a standstill and only 34.5 metres of braking distance to get back to a complete stop.
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.
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 that the Levante Trofeo continues to embody the essence of the Maserati GranTurismo philosophy with supercar performance.
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”, which are the largest ever fitted on a Maserati and available in both polished and matte finishes.
Specific details such as the lower splitter, the blade side bezels in the front air intakes, the side skirt inserts and the rear extractor are made of ultra-light, high-gloss carbon fibre, giving the Levante Trofeo a polished racing look. Even the bonnet is new, featuring two aggressive vents for better cylinder head cooling. And under the hood, the engine cover is also made of high-gloss carbon fibre featuring a V8 inscription and the iconic Trident logo, while the cylinder heads and intake manifolds are painted red.
Interior designers have come up with elegant ways to create a distinctive environment within the Levante Trofeo 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, thanks to its natural, soft feel and the unique character it develops throughout the years. 
Check out another high-performance Italian SUV, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio.
Check out the Larte Design tuning package for the Maserati Levante S.
