Maserati adds powerful Trofeo motor to Ghibli and Quattroporte

John Law

Contributor

Maserati’s Trofeo brand is set to grow with the addition of two sports sedans – the Ghibli and Quattroporte – to join the current Levante Trofeo.

The Trofeo marks the first time any Ghibli sedan has been fitted with a turbocharged V8, which it now shares with all the vehicles in the Trofeo collection.

In typical Italian fashion, the country’s flag is reflected in the choice of launch colours – a white Levante, red Ghibli and green Quattroporte.

2021 Maserati Trofeo Ghibli Front — *Blacked out grille and carbon highlights tell you it’s a Trofeo.*

So what about that V8? It’s a compact 3.8-litre unit which is supplemented by two turbochargers, that means outputs of 433kW and 730Nm. The engine is built to Maserati’s specifications but at Ferrari’s plant.

There’s a ZF eight-speed automatic sending power to the rear wheels, so the Quattroporte is good for a 0-100km/h of 4.5 seconds, with the lighter Ghibli Trofeo knocking two tenths off that time. It might surprise some, but the Levante’s all-wheel-drive system means a standard sprint as fast as 3.9 seconds. Impressive.

The two sedans are capable of a 326km/h top speed, according to Maserati. Though we can’t recommend trying to reach that number on the Australian public highway.

2021 Maserati Trofeo Quattroporte side — *Feel like something different? A Maserati might be the choice.*

For those in the market for super saloons like the BMW M5 Competition and RS7 Sportback, the Ghibli Trofeo offers a left-of-field choice as the Giulia Quadrifoglio does in the class below. The powerhouse Quattroporte deals with a size class above – think Porsche Panamera or Mercedes-AMG S63.

Once behind the wheel of the Trofeo models that powerhouse V8 will be a pretty obvious tell-tale. Car-spotters will be able to tell by the dark-chrome in place of glitzy shine, piano black grille, carbon-fibre front splitter and distinctive 21-inch alloy wheels.

There’s some serious work done to the taillights. Maserati has looked into the back-catalogue and adapted the ‘boomerang’ lights of the 3200GT for both of the new sedans. We like it.

2021 Maserati Trofeo Ghibli rear — *Taillights inspired by the 3200GT.*

Gloss red highlights appear on the C-pillar and around the vents on the front guards, too. Small changes to the exterior of the regular Ghibli and Quattroporte add up to a remarkably more sinister vehicle, the black diffuser at the rear doesn’ hurt, either.

Plenty of carbon-fibre trim will greet those who sit in a Trofeo Maserati – it’s everywhere from the centre console to trim inserts. Maserati has fitted the sedans with 10.1-inch touchscreens to control the infotainment system.

There’s also a Corsa button to be found which will prime throttle and steering responses. A launch control appears for the first time in the Ghibli and Quattroporte, too.

2021 Maserati Trofeo Ghibli Interior — *Swathes of carbon fibre will greet Trofeo owners.*

Safety systems include the usual AEB with adaptive cruise control and lane-keeping assist with Maserati claiming improved functionality on highways and in cities.

As for pricing, the Quattroporte Trofeo will undoubtedly command a premium over the current $299,990 ($324,677 driveaway) GTS – so upwards of $300,000 before driveaway costs. The smaller Ghibli Trofeo is likely to eclipse the current most expensive $184,990 ($203,926) V6 powered Ghibli S.