► Maserati pulls out of the cubic capacity competition
► From now on, its fastest cars will be V6 or EV-powered
► This one-off Quattroporte is the brand’s last-ever V8 car
Today is a sad day for Italian car fans. Maserati has finally called time on its V8-powered models. That means the company now has one less powertrain to worry about as it chases down its ambitious goal to become an electric-only manufacturer by 2028.
In the short term, Maserati’s fastest models will feature either its 3.0-litre Nettuno V6 engine or electric motors and battery packs. But, by the end of next year, the brand aims to have an EV alterative for every model in its range – a strategy the firm is already executing with the Folgore versions of the GranTurismo coupe and Grecale SUV.
Granted, Maserati has made this job a little easier by thinning out its line-up. The brand hacked the Ghibli saloon from its range last year, and it’s now swung the axe on the Levante SUV and Quattroporte limo.
That just leaves the Grecale SUV, the new GranTurismo coupe and the MC20 supercar in Maserati’s range, all of which – rather conveniently – are already available as EVs.
To mark the death of both the Quattroporte and its V8 engine, Maserati built a one-off Quattroporte V8 for a customer in the United States (pictured). Its twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V8 engine was also used in the Ferrari 488 GTB and Ferrari Portofino – and it chucks a whopping 564bhp at the saloon’s rear wheels.
In a typical display of Italian theatrics, Maserati called it the ‘Quattroporte Grand Finale’ – and the brand gave it some unique design touches to mark its significance.
So, there’s a unique ‘Grand Finale’ badge on its centre console, one-off ‘Grand Finale’ treadplates and a custom engine cover signed by the engineers who worked on the project. Plus, the car’s body kit is made from carbon fibre – and its boot has been trimmed in leather. Like a Gucci handbag.
What’s next for Maserati?
More electric cars. Maserati has already hinted it’ll launch an electric replacement for the Quattroporte, but that isn’t expected to arrive until 2028 at the earliest. The brand has also confirmed it’ll launch an ‘E-UV BEV around five metres in length’ in 2027.
It’ll be an electric SUV to sit above the Grecale and replace the Levante. Both these new cars will ride on Stellantis’ STLA-Large architecture, which means they’ll have maximum ranges of more than 500 miles and 0–62mph times as low as two seconds.