Fresh off the back of the unveiling of their first-ever electrified model, Maserati is today launching the three-car Trofeo high-performance collection.
Live from the Maserati Trofeo launch
Aussie automotive content creator Supercar Blondie presented the new Trofeo range to the world with an impressive digital presentation. The Brisbanite exclaimed these are an elite, almost supernatural range of Maseratis. The YouTuber, whose real name is Alex, explained Maserati created this thorough-bred, three-car line-up for the enjoyment of driving purists.
The Levante Trofeo performance SUV
Maserati Ghibli Trofeo
The Quattroporte Trofeo
Key 2020 Maserati Trofeo line-up statistics
| Model | Engine | Transmission | Peak power | Maximum torque | Acceleration (0-100km/h) |
| Levante Trofeo | 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8 | ZF 8-speed automatic | 433kW @ 6,250rpm | 730Nm @ 2,500-5,000rpm | 4.1 seconds |
| Ghibli Trofeo | 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8 | ZF 8-speed automatic | 433kW @ 6,750rpm | 730Nm @ 2,250-5,250rpm | 4.3 seconds |
| Quattroporte Trofeo | 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8 | ZF 8-speed automatic | 433kW @ 6,750rpm | 730Nm @ 2,250-5,250rpm | 4.5 seconds |
What we are looking forward to
- Engines. All three of the Trofeo models house a Ferrari-built engine under the bonnet. With twin-turbos and V8 power, these things are sure to deliver an exhilarating and engaging drive. Plus, for true driving and motorsport enthusiasts, it's a real coup to be able to tell your mates that your car has an engine built by the world's most famous car maker.
- Sound. The digital launch of the Trofeo range made a big deal about the exhaust note these beasts produce. We even got to hear a sample and they were, admittedly, stunning. If you open up a Trofeo-line model in a tunnel, it'll be enjoyably raucous!
- Looks. The exterior design of these models shows the intent of the Trofeo range. They look extremely aggressive, yet super clean, basically styled to perfection. The Levante SUV is definitely one of the best, if not the best, looking luxury SUVs around.
- Choice. It's always great to see a manufacturer introduce a tier of high-performance models, with Trofeo joining the likes of Audi's RS models and BMW's M Division. That means there's even more choice for those who want a vehicle that is designed for pure driving bliss.
What we are keen to test
- Speed. We're seriously hoping we can test these vehicles on a closed race track somewhere, as we'll need long straights to legally test the ridiculous top speeds of the Trofeos. The Levante SUV will hit 302km/h flat out, while the Ghibli and Quattroporte can achieve an impressive 326km/h!
- Acceleration. We cannot wait to floor the Trofeo range from a standing start to test out those crazy sub-4.5 second 0-100 times across the range. The Levante Trofeo is the fastest of the lot, capable of a balmy 4.1-seconds zip from a standstill to 100km/h. It'll certainly be a work out for our core muscles!
- AWD. The Levante SUV has Q4 intelligent all-wheel-drive and a rear limited-slip diff, so we're hoping to take one of these around a circuit and push it to its limits. Let's make the performance SUV show us what it's made of!
- Practicality. We're also keen to try the Trofeo-branded cars on public roads, to see how they hold-up. Buyers will expect the vehicles to comfortably handle shopping trips and road trips, so it'll be interesting to see how much room there is for storage and luggage.
- Interior. Maserati has gone all out on the interiors of these models. Buyers will be able to customise their vehicle to their tastes. But we also want to evaluate the build quality, to determine how the Trofeo range compares to the standards set by their German rivals – renowned for extremely high-levels of build quality.
- Infotainment. It's one of the most used features in the car and for the Trofeo, Maserati has introduced a system that is built upon Android Automotive. We've tested most of the major infotainment offerings from carmakers, so how does the Maserati system stack-up? With a choice of high-end audio systems from Bowers and Wilkins or Harman Kardon, we'll also want to listen out for the audio quality, especially when travelling at highway speeds.
- Corsa mode. Corsa is the Italian word for "race". When engaged, it makes the engine respond more aggressively, speeds up gear changes and opens up a valve in the exhaust for a more visceral sonic accompaniment. We can't wait to give that a try. On the Levante Trofeo, it'll even drop the suspension, hunkering down the car in corners!
- Level 2 autonomy. It's always fascinating to try out advanced driving assistance systems, and the Trofeos are set to receive Level 2 semi-autonomous capable hardware. That means things like Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Monitoring, as well as a 360° camera. We'll be evaluating those on real-world roads to see how sensitive they are and whether they suffer from any false activations.
Once we know more about the Australian availability, pricing and launch date, we'll update this section! At the moment, it sounds like they'll arrive here in 2021.
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