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What a time to live in, Maserati built the 2019 Levante with a V8 in it

Claimed to be one of the fastest SUVs ever built.

Autodeal on Apr 03, 2018

For the first time in its nameplate's history, Maserati has blessed this generation with a V8-powered Levante that you might not have seen coming. Well, we're quite in luck, aren't we?

So, what does the V8 do under the Levante Trofeo's hood – aside from being a sweet sound for people who look for power in bigger cars such as Maserati's? Oh, it just powers the vehicle with 590 horses and 730 Nm of torque, making it not just an SUV but a luxurious beast you wish to tame.

Related: Want to check out what 2018 looks like for Maserati?

The power comes straight from the combination of a 3.8-liter twin turbo V8 engine and Maserati's Q4 Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system. Off note, a zero to a hundred kilometers per hour takes 3.9 seconds, while peak speed could go over 300 km/h. With the remarkable 156 hp/liter output, you can only ask for more.

“It’s proof that when you play with the elements you end up in a storm. 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.”

Tim Kuniskis
Maserati CEO

Aside from the new and bigger engine, the Levante also feature new carbon fiber body elements to complement its power. This includes the vehicle's side bezels, splitter, rear horizontal elements, and engine cover. Not only that, the vehicle also features 22-inch polished or matte aluminum "Orione" wheels, which are the largest to be ever fitted on a Maserati.

The front fascia is a celebration of luxury and full-on function. The front grille comes with two vertical bars finished in piano black and a honeycomb mesh grille pattern. There are four performance-painted brake calipers in red, blue, black, silver, or yellow, while the rear gets oval exhaust tips. To seal everything, Maserati puts 'Saetta' Trofeo logos on the C-pillars.

Inside, a full-grain "Pieno Fiore" natural leather in black, red, or tan will makes your eyes twinkle. These seats get a contrast stitching and a Trofeo logo on the headrests. Meanwhile, carbon fiber continues to flow inside, as trims and the paddle shifter comes in matte carbon fiber finish.

For technology, Maserati has integrated the new 'Corsa' driving mode to the Levante Trofeo. This mode comes with Launch Control functionality to enhance the driving experience being offered by the car. The new Corsa mode improves engine response, makes faster gear shifting, lower air suspension height, and opens exhaust valves during acceleration.

The Maserati Levante Trofeo is currently showcased at the 2018 New York International Auto Show, along with other Maserati models Ghibli S Q4 GranSport and GranLusso, Levante S GranLusso, Quattroporte GTS GranSport, and GranTurismo Convertible Sport.