Maserati has revealed a new halo model of its Levante SUV. Named the Trofeo – Italian for trophy – it packs in a 3.9-litre Ferrari V8 producing a staggering 582bhp and 730Nm of torque.
It’s gone on display at the New York International Auto Show, revealed just hours after Jaguar announced an SVR version of its F-Pace.
Maserati claims the Levante Trofeo retains the standard car’s perfect 50:50 weight distribution and promises that in beefing up the suspension to make the most of the power on tap, the ride quality has not been compromised.
The Levante Trofeo rides on air suspension with a double-wishbone front set-up and multi-link rear. It gains a new ‘Corsa’ mode which firms everything up as well as lowering the ride for maximum performance in the corners.
The first #MaseratiLevante built around a V8 engine is taking the #NYIAS by storm. The Levante Trofeo, the ultimate Maserati of SUVs. https://t.co/iW5eT0j7Xw pic.twitter.com/LdmEOMklRI
— Maserati (@Maserati_HQ) March 28, 2018
“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.”
In terms of styling, the Trofeo is rather restrained. Black and carbon-fibre accents line the exterior, while a vented bonnet and larger air intakes plus new side skirts give a purposeful look. It rides on 21- or 22-inch forged aluminium alloy wheels.
Production of the super-SUV will begin in the summer, with initial allocations expected to be concentrated in Maserati’s most profitable markets – the US and China. No word has been given on pricing, but expect a hefty increase on the current range-topping Gransport, which comes in at £75,240.
