If you thought the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio with its 375kw 2.9-litre powerplant was packing heat, its FCA-sibling the Maserati Levante has positively blown it into the weeds.
This is the Levante Trofeo, and apart from being one of the most powerful SUVs in the world, it’s also the fastest and most powerful car in Maserati's line-up. It's powered by a 3.8-litre turbocharged V8 engine that's hand built by Ferrari and has been modified to work with the Maserati all-wheel drive system.
Paired with an 8-speed automatic, it boasts peak power of 440kw and 730nm of maximum torque from 2,250rpm to 5,000rpm. By comparison, the Levante Diesel and Levante S are pedestrian. Each has a 3.0-litre V6 producing 202kw and 316kw, respectively. The Trofeo’s specific output though - 116kw per litre - is the highest of any Maserati engine ever produced.
The powertrain features a new Corsa mode with launch control capability in addition to the Normal, Sport, ICE, and Off Road modes of the regular Levante. The Corsa mode delivers the sharpest engine response and quickest gear shifts, as well as lowering the ride height and stiffening the shocks.
With Launch Control activated, it can hit 96kph in 3.7 seconds and with a long enough road will top out at 301kph. Interestingly, the new motor gives the Trofeo a perfect 50:50 weight distribution.
Front and rear tweaks to the bumpers and fascias are clearly evident. Carbon fibre has been employed to fill in the side bezels and serve splitter duty up front. Out back, the lower body-colour diffuser hugs the quad exhaust tips.
An even more exclusive version of the Maserati Levante Trofeo will be the limited run first edition models which includes a Grigio Lava gray matte exterior paint scheme, matte finish 22-inch wheels and red brake calipers.
The new model will go on sale in the USA later this year. Maserati South Africa has not disclosed if the Trofeo will be made available for South Africa.
Also worth a look: the Maserati GT2 Stradale: A Symphony of Speed and Opulence and the Maserati Quattroporte.
FAQ
Q: What does the Maserati Levante Trofeo cost in South Africa?
Maserati South Africa hasn't confirmed local availability or pricing for the Levante Trofeo yet, but expect it to command around R2,800,000 to R3,200,000 based on international pricing and local luxury SUV market positioning.
Q: How fast is the Maserati Levante Trofeo compared to other performance SUVs?
The Levante Trofeo rockets from 0-96kph in just 3.7 seconds with a top speed of 301kph, making it faster than the BMW X5M (3.8 seconds) and Porsche Cayenne Turbo (3.9 seconds).
Q: Is the Maserati Levante Trofeo more powerful than the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio?
Absolutely, the Levante Trofeo's Ferrari-built 3.8-litre V8 produces 440kW compared to the Stelvio Quadrifoglio's 375kW, giving it a massive 65kW advantage over its FCA sibling.
Q: What makes the Levante Trofeo special compared to regular Levante models?
The Trofeo packs a hand-built Ferrari V8 engine producing 440kW versus the regular Levante S's 316kW V6, plus it gets exclusive Corsa driving mode, launch control, and aggressive carbon fibre styling upgrades.
Q: Is the Maserati Levante Trofeo worth buying over German rivals?
The Levante Trofeo offers Ferrari engine exclusivity and Italian flair that German rivals can't match, but you'll pay premium money for questionable reliability compared to proven performers like the BMW X5M or Porsche Cayenne Turbo.
Should You Buy It?
The Maserati Levante Trofeo is a maybe buy if you've got deep pockets and crave exclusivity over practicality. At an estimated R3,000,000, it's the most powerful luxury SUV you can get in South Africa, but that Ferrari-built V8 comes with Italian reliability quirks and eye-watering service costs. If you want the fastest luxury SUV with genuine exotic appeal and don't mind paying supercar money for SUV practicality, the Trofeo delivers unmatched drama. However, for pure performance value under R2,500,000, the BMW X5M Competition or Porsche Cayenne Turbo offer better reliability and similar pace without the Maserati's maintenance headaches.
