Maserati Ghibli Trofeo and Quattroporte Trofeo revealed

Maserati will soon apply its hottest performance treatment to its two staple sedans to create the first Maserati Ghibli Trofeo and Maserati Quattroporte Trofeo.

Fitted with the same glorious 441kW/730Nm 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 as the existing Levante Trofeo SUV, the high-performance Ghibli and Quattroporte are due to touch down in Australia late this year or early 2021.

Both models channel drive to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission and while the Levante Trofeo is claimed to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds, the Ghibli Trofeo is slower at 4.3sec and the Quattroporte Trofeo is slower again at 4.5sec.

The first Ghibli V8 and the more powerful Quattroporte V8 are claimed to be the fastest Maserati sedans ever, with a top speed of 326km/h.

That makes them faster than the Levante Trofeo (302km/h), while also using less fuel at 12.3-12.6L/100km (Ghibli), 12.2-12.5L/100km (Quattroporte), versus 13.2-13.7L/100km for the Levante Trofeo.

There’s no official word on pricing just yet, but given the Maserati Levante Trofeo commands a $150,000 premium over the Levante S on which it is based (and the Ghibli S GranSport costs $284,990 and the V8 Quattroporte GTS is pegged at $299,990), expect a price tag well in excess of $300,000 for both new Trofeo models.

“The V8 Trofeo is the most powerful engine we can have on a Maserati,” said Raniero Bertizzolo, vehicle line executive at Maserati.

“This is an engine capable of impressive power and this is also the opportunity to have a specific Corsa driving mode. You get the opportunity to test a Maserati in its best performance level in terms of its engine, steering, suspension systems and the IVC (ESC) – it’s really achieving its best performance. Launch control is also a specific feature of the Trofeo.”

The Maserati Ghibli Trofeo and Quattroporte Trofeo will be distinguished visually by high-gloss carbon-fibre elements adorning the grille, splitter, lower bumpers and side skirts.

The Ghibli Trofeo’s bonnet features a more muscular shape bringing added cooling, while inside there are specific red details, full-grain Pieno Fiore natural leather trim and a bespoke driver’s instrument cluster, clock and centre stack.

The Ghibli Trofeo and Quattroporte Trofeo will ride on 21-inch machine-forged wheels (22s are available for the Levante Trofeo).

Although unconfirmed, it is thought the two new Trofeo models will be among the last Maseratis to source power from Ferrari-built engines, following the end of the Modena brand's engine supply deal with the Maranello supercar-maker.