We have seen our thoughts drifting to “native soil” here at Jim Butler Maserati of St. Louis as the spring is here and many blooming new rows of flowers are visible city-wide! The Cool Hunting car writing team was recently excited to take our Maserati Grecale Folgore for a spin on its native soil, with the scenic olive groves of Puglia, Italy as a backdrop. The end of 2025 is still Maserati‘s ambitious deadline to see each model with a battery-electric version.
The choice to move towards class production rather than mass production has resulted in more customization options and a rich aesthetic, with models such as this remaining as enthralling examples of modern mastery. This review immediately chalked up on the critic’s report card that the Grecale’s sophisticated and timeless sheen was a welcoming first layer of fun. Much of their test model’s exterior was detailed in gloss black, an excellent visual complement to the vehicle’s lower ride height.
To properly maintain this height, the engineers meticulously dropped the floor plan to make extra room for the battery pack, from 8.3 inches to 6.7 inches. This results in a greater sense of speed, which any dedicated Maserati fan will always thoroughly embrace! The excited test driver/editor was thrilled with the specially designed aerodynamic wheels improving every spirited grip around corners. This particular model offered black with interior stitching, with the seats covered in the groundbreaking Econyl recycled nylon fabric.
As the entire globe has been in severe peril due to material in our seas and on land alike halting renewable sustainability, advances such as using fabric recycled from fishing nets have improved the quality of many lives. Enjoying the next escape and downtime you choose to call your own will be even richer thanks to the 1,200-watt, 21-speaker Sonus Faber audio system, on point to offer up the ultimate in audio. Grecale means “Greece” and Folgore translates to lightning, which effectively alludes to a 0-60 mph sprint taking place in about 4 seconds flat.
Sophisticated dual electric motors crank out around 550 horsepower, with an 80 percent charge possible in 30 minutes on a DC fast charger. Here the writer takes a moment to admire just how well the 2024 Maserati Grecale Folgore fared with the creation of artificial driveline noise, embracing a high-performance and gloriously petrol-guzzling variant. The air shocks can be carefully adjusted with the different driving modes, with Max Range, Offroad, and Sport available to provide unique characteristics. Its lower center of gravity plays amazingly well with massive bumps in the road, and the battery pack’s extra weight provides a snugly tail-heavy lurch forward.
The Car and Driver experts loved the polished cabin of the Grecale Folgore, very athletic handling, and high-performing twin-turbo V6. Our Fuoriserie Personalization Program allows for customization to the nines with special liveries, unique paint finishes, and wheels. The CarMagazine.co.uk crew was immediately charmed with the Grecale’s “perfect mixture of new and familiar”, along with the fitting power bursts from the wickedly-good Nettuno twin-turbo V6. The steering is “talkative” and full of grippy feel, without a hyper-alert sense that overrides opportunities for spontaneous fun. Take full control of everything yourself with the expertly crafted gearshift paddles, and be consistently lured in by eager-to-please charm!
Enjoying our brand’s rich persona and luster is an ideal spring treat here at Jim Butler Maserati of St Louis, and the Grecale Trofeo is front and center along with the budding trees and green grass! The writers from The Drive thrive on searching out a car’s living and breathing personality, and this past week took a close look at this lovely 5-seater. The Grecale comes in the GT, Modena, and Trofeo trims, with this Trofeo coming fantastically equipped with the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged Nettuno engine.
Still ferocious and track-worthy but now exploring its domesticated side, the Nettuno struck writer Nico Dematta as flaunting exciting design right off the bat. Immediately remarking that the Grecale can “take on the best in the world”. The Grecale is built on a modified version of the Giorgio platform, which is shared with the Stelvio and Giulia. It comes in immediately visually swinging with an aesthetic that is a bit larger, boasting a longer wheelbase and more interior room.
Once inside, the cabin is striking with undeniable upper-end charm; sophistication that only Italian craftsmanship can evoke. The leather boasts a lavish quality that conjured up mental images of first-class flying’s glory days, while the carbon fiber trim offered an alluring and exotic touch. Here Nico excitedly elaborates on the vehicle’s glowing individuality, and how it is “delightfully unlike anything German, Japanese, or American.” The engine is wholeheartedly the star of the show, as foregoing a V8 was undoubtedly the right choice.
Even though the V8 is heralded for being “sensational” and emitting a world-class sound symphony, the Nettuno powertrain has a character delightfully and impeccably all its own. It cranks out 523 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque and while tasked with the duty of powering such a high-end metallic creature, is still very mechanical and lightly salted with anger! It works perfectly in conjunction with the ZF 8-speed automatic, which is controlled by some very sweet metal pedals that are borrowed straight from the Alfa Romeo pack.
After driving the Grecale Trofeo for just two minutes, it was evident that its special qualities blew anything else nipping its heels directly and astutely out of the water! The steering proved to be not at all like anything else this expert drive tester had ever had his hands on, with a front end that was a bit unpredictable, but edgy and enjoyable out on the open pavement. The bite from the front tires puts the car nearly into blissful and globe-dominating supercar territory, with an on-center steering weight that builds up precisely as you gradually add lock and consistently lurch forward.
The Skyhook suspension and air shocks are tuned for an unparalleled blend of nimble handling and ride comfort, and things feel mighty and rock-solid at high speed. The XXL Brembo brakes have a distinctly hard bite directly at the top, with a beyond textbook-perfect linear pressure buildup as you make your way further down. As this skilled writer allowed his wife to join in on the test drive excitement, she claimed that the Grecale provided more overall room for her to sprawl out and feel comfortable than her first-generation Honda Pilot. If you have already decided on a performance SUV you love every bit of spirited driving adventures, and the Grecale Trofeo serves up unbridled excellence at every monumental mile!
When the birds are chirping wistfully and events such as the St. Louis Microfest and Taste of Maplewood are ready to take place, we can be certain that spring has arrived here at Jim Butler Maserati of St Louis! With electrification coming on the horizon and so many intense changes right around the corner, it’s a perfect time to share just a bit about what is happening with each model in our lineup.
The 2024 Maserati Ghibli is a sophisticated combination of style, athletic handling, and comfort in a modern luxury sedan. It’s available in the GranLusso and the GranSport trims, with the V8 powertrain option being discontinued after 2024. A limited Trofeo 334 Ultima variant will send it off in a proper petrol head manner, with a new blue paint hue and delightfully fierce 572-horsepower V8. There’s also special badging and sleek carbon fiber accents, along with a heaping dose of purebred “grazioso Incantevole.”
The 2024 GranTurismo is brand-new for this model year and brings about an entirely new electric model and untamed futuristic personality. There are both coupe and convertible body style offerings, with the gas models coming with all-wheel drive. There’s a crisp-sounding turbocharged V6 as the powertrain, and the base model cranks out 483 horsepower. The top Trofeo trim comes to the table cranking out 542 eager horses, and the Folgore takes things smartly up to 750 hp with 3 electric motors. Getting up to 60 mph happens in just 3.5 quick seconds, and the GranTurismo is poised to evoke spring magic via supercar status.
The 2024 Maserati Grecale was the “exhilarating newbie of 2023”, so changes for this year are on the minimal side. There’s a brand-new steering wheel design, and you can access Maserati’s new Fuoriserie Personalization Program, allowing you to color this magnificent canvas in more wheel options and colors of your choice. After this year, most experts expect a fully electrified version to be revealed, with a superior driving range and exhilarating power output.
The 2024 Maserati Levante offers an excellent combination of on-road performance and off-road capability to offer a luxurious driving experience. The V8 is out of the picture this year, and there will be a Trofeo Ultima trim to provide an ideal and flavorful sendoff. These will boast exclusive wheels, segment-leading interior accents, newly painted calipers, and a sweet interior plaque to properly commemorate the final-edition model. The Autocar.UK review staff was thrilled with the Levante’s “arresting looks and amazing interior flourishes.”
The 2024 Maserati MC20 exists as a salacious and dreamy sports car that is consistently pushing boundaries, allowing you to race bravely into a surreal and fascinating future. Its light body ensures a game-changing power-to-weight ratio, with a new range of unique styling and color options coming for 2024. Also present are some very unique retro-inspired color schemes and styling elements inspired by soccer star David Beckham.
The 2024 Maserati Quattroporte consistently does very well at filling the dignified shoes of an iconic four-door full-size luxury sports sedan! Experts are predicting a complete overhaul of the 4-door Quattroporte next year, with this year’s model boasting a twin-turbo V6 and eagerly firing out 424 horsepower. The available Modena trim adds distinct 21-inch wheels with unique red accents inside and out.
Top-Down Triumph: The 2024 Maserati GranCabrio Sports Droptop Sophistication & 542 Horsepower
Our lineup here at Jim Butler Maserati of St Louis is known for being quite enjoyable and charming during the coming days of spring, as the senses are easily awakened at every exhilarating turn! It was revealed on the Car and Driver website that our GranTurismo is finally dropping its top, officially creating the resounding automotive rush in the form of the GranCabrio. It shows up ready for the season of blossoms and fresh air with a cloth soft top, which can be put at half or full mast within just 16 seconds.
There are simple gesture controls that control the top along with a convenience button directly on the central screen. The top is available in five different colors of black, blue, gray, red, and a new hue called “greige”. There’s also an included neck warmer that disperses air on the front seats, and a removable wind deflector for the rear. The Droptop will only be sold in the top-of-the-line Trofeo trim, which derives power from the dutiful and very spry twin-turbo 3.0-liter V-6 Nettuno.
This is the same and very innovative powertrain that was designed at the Modena Innovation Lab on Via Emilia Ovest and developed at the infamous Engine Hub. This ambitious design represents a historic new era, with an 11:1 compression ratio and a reliable 88mm bore. The Nettuno’s twin injection system is conveniently linked to the fuel supply pressure while reducing noise on the rev range and lowering overall emissions. It has been reported that an all-electric Folgore version will be in the works, and many also wonder if the GranCabrio will eventually offer a V-6 with just a bit less power output.
The Topgear.com crew was incredibly eager to feast their eyes AND hands on the 2024 GranTurismo and claimed that it “looks great, has two excellent powertrains, and the electric Folgore was an outright Top Gear award winner.” It also rang in incredibly strong as a grand tourer in the traditional mold, with our esteemed history of having excellent GTs and looking quite cool while getting the job done. The front-engined setup is a bit softer all around, with the GranTurismo Folgore cranking out 750 horsepower.
The huge aluminum clamshell bonnet is excellent for giving the front end a unique presence, with the battery sitting in an inverted ‘T’ across the car directly in front of the driver. 50-50 weight distribution is the official claim, with test-driving crews stating that the steering balance between front and rear is exceptional. The suspension does not have a “punishingly difficult” feel to it, and the hint of roll that does exist is well managed and controlled. At its most exhilarating speeds, the GranTurismo exhibits the same very composed handling as the glorious MC20.It will be thrilling to watch the GranTurismo’s warm and generous character be handed over to a drop top’s ultimate and one-of-a-kind showmanship! Here is a well-executed and expertly engineered car with brilliant theatrics that is polished and thoroughly capable. When it comes to the competition from the Porsche Taycan and Tesla Model S Plaid, the GranTurismo can be relished as a signature dish of sorts and is going to be quite a masterpiece to attempt to catch up with. We are eagerly anticipating this convertible version of what Motor 1.com deemed as a “rolling thoroughbred that should perhaps not be saddled with daily driving drudgery!”
Supersonic, Passionate, and Prolific: Maserati 2024 Lineup’s Performance-Influenced Perfection
Many car writers and industry experts spend a good deal of time reading comments under car posts, which are based on opinions! Everyone has one, and many car fans from all walks of life are not afraid to show it. After reading so many of these here at Jim Butler Maserati of St Louis, we gained quite a bit of insight about our models. The Motor Trend review crew was beaming when they reflected on our model lineup for 2024 and were thrilled to digitally ink their favorite highlights from each one.
The Maserati Ghibli was praised here for its world-class handling and engines that “formidably make all the right sounds.” Satisfaction levels from customers rose substantially after the mid-cycle refresh, and the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 situated in the Trofeo is one of the least expensive ways on the planet to source a Ferrari powertrain! The new limited-edition Ghibli 334 boasts some incredibly sweet tires, along with intense aerodynamic revisions. A very telling fact that shouldn’t be ignored: this sedan has a top speed of 208 mph, with a Dodge Charger Hellcat Redeye lagging behind at 202 mph.
The Maserati Quattroporte is rightfully fawned over for its no-so-subtle charm. Intoxicating and expansive, its abundance of leather inside is also very alluring. The experienced crew also praised the Quattroporte for being a stunning looker and very luxurious for the long haul. When up against the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series, the Quattroporte is a source of comfort for true petrolheads who appreciate the lavish touring experience. It’s the original race-brand luxury sedan, and it never stops being inspiring.
The Maserati GranTurismo was driven by this esteemed crew in Bormio, Italy, when the lead editor got his first glimpse of a white coupe and was instantly taken aback. The design team had put together something truly amazing, beginning with the GT’s construction on the Giorgio platform. This is the same amazing chassis that is under both the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio. This example was also fitted with the salacious Nettuno V6. It’s a 3.0-liter twin-turbo number from the MC20, which just went on a brief salad-and-greens diet to shed 79 horsepower. Its driving manners in cold and snowy weather were masterful and rendered an instant legend.
The Maserati Grecale was already pleasantly lodged in this editorial staff’s memory for a spirited drive in the canyons near LA. They then ranked its on-road prowess as the “most amazing on the planet” and proclaimed that it’s the best-driving small SUV in existence! There’s plenty of luggage space and room to sprawl out on long trips, and the Top Gear staff claimed that it was “hands-down more exciting to drive than the Porsche Macan”. It’s got the sizable Maserati grille, awesome trident badges, and an active-air suspension that performs like a true carbon-and-steel carrying titan.
The Maserati MC20 won over the antsy Motor Trend crew with its quite impressive 621 horsepower, and sophisticated suspension. The MC20 offers sensational power and a scorching 8,000 rpm redline. The crew put the car through an extreme cornering test and loved how the MC20 can be a quiet and lavish cruiser. Having the capability to dole out “big boy velocities” immediately ranked this futuristic and sleek machine a gaping notch above the “flood of 911s.” This is an enthralling final result that is great at providing a thrilling drive, along with Italian exotics and charming flair.
The Canvas & Candor of Tomorrow: A Sneak Peek Into The Future of Maserati’s All-Electric Lineup
We have long been committed to very spirited performance and compelling design here at Jim Butler Maserati of St Louis, where we have consistently pushed existing automotive boundaries. Creating vehicles that are not just machines but works of art is Maserati’s firmly backed testament to many years of memorable design innovation. The beloved Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans have now rolled out in their respective “Ultima” trims, which is Italian for “last.”
2024 Maserati Ghibli: What’s New?
There will be a pair of Ghibli trim levels offered for 2024, beginning with the standard Modena Ultima Q4. This model employs a twin turbocharged V6 and standard and comes with the typical list of high-end features. You’ll enjoy heated and ventilated front sport seats, heated rear seats, and a premium Harman Kardon audio system for anyone whose affection for audio is pitch-perfect!
The Ghibli 334 Ultima exists as the high-performing step above this model, with a currently limited run that is just 103 models worldwide. The 334 Ultima sails with an unbounded spirit, deriving power from the turbocharged V8 that enables a high-velocity 207-mph top speed. This renders the Ghibli the fastest combustion-powered sedan in the world and steps things up to the caliber reserved for advanced-engineered and precision-tuned creations. Many have lamented this as the “end of V8s in Maseratis”, and a fine opportunity to relish an inspiring and powerful classic.
The 2024 Maserati Quattroporte: What’s New?
The 2024 Quattroporte states its elegant and enthralling presence with a single trim level called the Modena Ultima Q4. It’s powered by a 424-horsepower V6 and comes with a sport-tuned chassis that is eager to be thrown around corners. Very sporty and unique front and rear bumpers along with a distinct red threaded contrast stitching through the black leather upholstery distinguish an upper-end charm. The next Quattroporte is expected to offer an all-electric powertrain, providing accessible instant torque, and contributing to a dynamic driving experience.
Known for its very agile handling, luxurious interior materials, and user-friendly infotainment, the Quattroporte also earns incredibly high marks from Car and Driver, who claimed that it is a “uniquely satisfying option in an otherwise staid segment of sedans.” The KBB.com team was all-in for the 2024 Quattroporte due to the powerful and luxurious Modena Ultima trim, which has been an excellent force to be adjoined with its stunning luxury and racing heritage. The Quattroporte competes with the Porsche Panamera and full-size luxury sedans such as the BMW 7 series, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, and Audi S8.
The Maserati GranTurismo: What’s New?
The V6s that are powering these final champions of grandeur are hailed by experts as some of the best made! The Motor1.com review team claimed that this 550-horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque in this top-level Trofeo-trim car is “downright mean, and an achievement to be rightfully proud of.” Their test drive included stretches through sprawling tunnels and along ancient stone walls, which echoed the grunty exhaust note back wonderfully.
After switching the dial over to Sport or Corsa mode, the accelerator becomes thoroughly addictive to play with on winding roads. Light, athletic, and satisfyingly stiff, the GranTurismo is always ready for anything and is an excellent car no matter where you drive it: The TopGear.com crew billed the GranTurismo as Maserati’s “signature dish”, setting the immediate tone and expectations for other manufacturers worldwide.
We love our lineup of SUVs here at Jim Butler Maserati of St. Louis, especially when the weather gets icy! The Maserati Grecale and slightly larger Levante were recently the topic of a Motor Trend team blog, where they discussed everything to come for both models. As the automotive world continues to transition to electrification, Maserati will follow suit. The V-8s will become a thing of the past, and battery powered Folgore models will soon replace them on the lot. Rest assured, the plan is to reduce environmental impact without compensating for our legendary driving experience.
The 2024 Maserati Grecale enjoys brand-new customization options and minor updates, with a new steering wheel design for all trims. Modena models receive a new standard wheel finish, and the Trofeo trim comes equipped with adaptive LED headlights. There’s also a new Fuoriserie Personalization Program that gets you extras, such as paint hues and brakes. We have also now partnered with soccer legend David Beckham for the DB Essentials configuration.
This unbelievably fast-on-his-feet and globally recognized star chose the Verde Royal exterior color, paired with warm brown leather upholstery in the cabin, with a stunning metal plate declaring the vehicle’s status as a final touch. The all-electric Grecale Folgore is set to offer 800-volt technology, ultra-fast 300-kW charging, and a 15-kWh battery, while seamlessly serving up 590 lb-ft of torque. Car and Driver loved the 2024 model due to its “designer duds, operatic engines, and muscly power from available V8s.”
The 2024 Maserati Levante officially waves goodbye to the V8 with the Ultima, which is fittingly decked out in either Blu Royale or Nero Assoluto paint. Its assertiveness comes from the F154 AM 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8, which cranks out 572 horsepower and 538 lb-ft of torque. Other compelling details include carbon-fiber trim, Pale Terracotta leather seats, 22-inch glossy black wheels, and front fenders proudly adorned with the “V8 Ultima” logo.
There’s also a memorable badge inside commemorating the Levante V8 Ultima’s primo status that reads “una di 103.” The GT Ultima now comes standard with gloss black brake calipers, 20-inch wheels, and black exterior trim on the outside. A premium Harman Kardon audio system adds a dimension of sheer audiophile’s delight to each drive, along with 12-way motorized sport seats covered in premium black leather and distinctive red stitching. This year’s Levante is nestled at a precarious yet memorable intersection, as it offers one final year to drink in the marvels of high performance with our delightful V8.
The Grecale uses a modified version of the Giorgio platform that the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia employ to get their stellar handling and road manner chops. We are thrilled to deliver performance while stepping up to heed the call for electrification and environmental responsibility. These models both will expertly blend elegance, power, and responsibility on the road, while still holding on to Maserati’s rich Italian heritage and dazzling performance.
High-end SUVs are situated within a quite unusual segment of the auto hierarchy here at Jim Butler Maserati of St Louis! While many competing brands have done a fair job of offering up feature-rich and athletic models, our passion for top-tier craftsmanship has resulted in a physique that would be perfect for a formal night out. It’s not just the symphony or formal product reveal that we’re talking about, although both are exquisite opportunities. The spellbinding 2023 Maserati Grecale Trofeo was the subject of attention during a recent test drive for the car pros at Motor1.com.
Under the hood is a twin-turbo V6 that is shared with our immaculate and unearthly MC20 sports car, but the excited writer wanted to take a large visual drink of the exterior before getting to that! He first remarks that there is a bit of mid-century styling sprinkled nicely with the SUV’s proportions, with a sloping hood, peaked fenders, and lower-slung grille looking fantastic. Fitting and formal enough for the “essempio a fini didattici” or Milan runway show, there are also some sweet elements here that are a bit reminiscent of what you’ll see on the latest Gran Turismo.
The stance is wide and low, with a long wheelbase and a strapped-down yet scuffle-ready stature. The counters are chiseled, and everything at first glance has a way of being inviting and unique. The interior was billed here as “suitably fabulous”, with compelling touchpoints and the lovely aroma of brand-new red leather stitching. The 3d carbon trim provides a dazzling sense of visual pop and comes as standard on the Grecale. The 8.8-inch comfort display mounted low on the center stack offers responsive control for climate and seat massage adjustments, along with the very cool ambient lighting.
The V6 came to life after a quick push of the steering wheel button, with a sound “suited to a Monaco Boulevardier.” At this point, it’s clarified that the engine’s sporty sounds are excellent in the default “GT” drive mode and that the throttle tip-in immediately gives way to a quality of thrust that’s ideal for around-town excursions. Hitting 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds and capable of a 177-mph top speed, the Grecale’s available thrust is ready and waiting at nearly any engine speed on the spectrum.
One of the defining additives that allows for such excellent performance is the Nettuno V6, which features a pre-combustion chamber with a dedicated spark plug. Fuel populates the pre-chamber during the compression stroke, and the resulting ignition is distributed to the main combustion chamber with a trailblazing caliber of efficiency. The four-corner air suspension with adaptive dampers is all-in as a means of managing excellent ride comfort. Dialing up the “Comfort” drive mode offers a floaty and refined sense of cruising, while the Sport mode unleashes the spry dimensions of the V6 for a brisk throttle response.
The 8-speed automatic offers shifts with a firm and reliable characteristic, with overruns emitting a telltale and exhilarating crackle from the exhaust. As writer Brett Evans continued down a challenging stretch of road to gauge whether the Grecale Trofeo was truly worth its salt, he began to unwind and love how the vehicle always provided the means he needed to extract peak performance. With the industry undergoing intense change and future Maserati models will be adapting to the environment’s demands, the Grecale Trofeo is a prime opportunity to roll up one’s sleeves and enjoy a helping of current-day zealous perfection!
The topic of the perfectly tuned V8 is a fantastic one to converse about during the long and chilly winter months here at Jim Butler Maserati of St Louis! As the powder populates the firs on the side of the road, we grin and think back to Maserati’s first 8-cylinder offering in the V8RI race car in 1935. For now, the final V8s are undergoing their final touch 4 placement in the Ghibli, Quattroporte, and Levante. After that, they will predominantly offer the 3.0-liter Nettuno V6, which cranks out 621 horsepower and 538 lb-ft of brilliant torque.
The imminent arrival of very strict emissions regulations is one of the causes for their recent move to downsize a bit when it comes to power, without neglecting performance in the least. When asked if the V8 will ever come back, execs in the know have urged for anyone wondering to “never say never.” To properly commemorate the end of this era, we are raising the illustrious gates in preparation to allow the Ghibli 334 Ultima and Levante V8 Ultima the opportunity to enjoy the light of day.
The Autoblog staff lamented in a recent feature that Maserati had fittingly saved the best for last and excitedly took a thorough first look at the striking Ghibli 334 Ultima. A Persia Blu hue stood out as edition-specific, with 21-inch Orione wheels, Pirelli P-Zero tires with a very primo grippy compound, and numerous carbon fiber bits that shave off a very valuable 55 lbs. The Rubino Red “334” logo painted on each fender slyly represents the model’s new top speed, which translates into about 207 mph.
Proudly staking the claim as the fastest sedan on the market, the initial step inside offers two-tone Pale Terracotta and black upholstery that is reminiscent of a few of their classic models. Still falling just a bit short of plunging into full-on retro mode, it’s a very charming aesthetic that suits the Ghibli well. Production will be limited to 103 units globally, with 60 find specimens reserved for the American market. The significance of the number 103 is a tribute to the 5000 GT, which was the first V8-powered Maserati that was legal to sample on the street.
The very first model was released in 1959 at the royal request of the Shah of Iran, who was after a 3500 GT with a bit more power. Levante buyers are offered two V8 Ultima configurations to choose from, with the first decadently dipped in a Blu Royale hue. The second is a black shade of Nero Assoluto, with both sporting the same two-tone interior as the outgoing Ghibli. Even fitted with snow tires, the Ghibli 334 Ultima offered up an exciting driving experience on the challenging and twisty road connecting Bormio and Livignio in the Italian Alps.
Employing a wet sump and cross-plane crankshaft, this engine offers a breed of sensational power that feels like a star of the show in action movies with breakneck chases. This was a time when electric motors powered the windows only, and fully evoked a sports sedan with amazing rear-wheel -drive handling and the elegance expected from anything boasting the telltale trident logo on the grille. Not the first or last noteworthy automobile to be sent into the sunset by the sands of time, this is a model that is destined for the “if you know, you know” classification. As we take a detailed look at a car that could be as quintessential as James Bond and capable as Superman, it is enthralling to witness its nearly supernatural prowess!
Modern SUVs offer safety, a sporty demeanor, plenty of space, and an abundance of comfort. What has made them so successful nationwide and here at Jim Butler Maserati of St Louis is their ability to be the perfect touring cars, but with perfection can still come a few qualms! Some of today’s most common examples tend to lean on the slightly pompous side, enough so that you could be a bit bashful to roll through locations such as a remote and picturesque Italian village.
In the Swiss Alps, leading inclement-weather-prone contenders from a few of our esteemed competitors tend to be a bit on the wide side, rendering them potentially just a bit more difficult to enjoy in heaping or fresh-powder helping! The ClassicDriver.com team was pleased to get their hands on the keys to a Maserati Levante Modena S last week and were first genuinely taken aback by the exterior paint color. Much like a high-end Sicilian mint sorbet, the “Verde Royale” was eye-popping and impressive.
The test drive model’s design language was completed by A-list creator Lorenzo Ramaciotti, the genius responsible for our spellbinding Quattroporte VI. The Levante now has a decidedly sporty look without appearing insanely aggressive, with the silhouette offering up a sweeping presence. When large vehicles are enduring their first impression, it pays to be restrained, to not greet others with such a gaping and overbearing footprint. The crew turned the ignition key, and the 3-liter 6-cylinder greeted them with a very powerful and unique note.
The Levante Modena S comes with more than just stocking stuffers, as this “commemorative gift in droves” cranks out 430 horsepower and 580 lb-ft of torque. They headed excitedly to the Graubunden pass roads, and away from the persistent confines of Zurich city traffic. Sport mode was the first choice to navigate Albula Pass, and the crew noticed an intense and immediate change in character during the drive. The suspension tightens up, the exhaust has a bona fide sports car roar, and you truly get the feel of a top-tier SUV at every turn.
Most drivers have an understandable preference for the tight suspension without the hearty sound effects, and as soon as this crew fully got into the mood, they had left the 18-hairpin bends of the Albula Pass in the rearview. St Moritz and the Engadine are very stylish and visceral weekend destinations for Zurich and Milan. Amazing structures such as the Alpine Grand Hotel have long defined this area, surrounded by a fairy-tale forest and breathtaking mountains. Guest rooms here feature amazing windows that invite in the warm mountain sunshine, and what is undoubtedly some of the freshest air on the planet. As the group embarked over the Bernina Pass the next day, they didn’t have to contend with any ice or snow. The Maserati remained quite sporty and confident, with one of the final stops being a renowned European car mecca of sorts. The Meyers Manx Café was the ideal spot for a double espresso, and a moment to reflect on how decades of top-tier Italian style have influenced these majestic and jet-setting peaks. The Truecar blog claimed that “enthusiasts looking for the intangibles of an exotic in a luxury SUV will be hard-pressed to find something better.” With head-turning style, a one-of-a-kind exhaust note, and a Ferrari-tuned swagger, the Levante gives its rivals a “molto serio” and fine-tuned run for the money!
Connect with us
Recent Blog Entries
- Bolt of Brilliance: Test Driving the Lightning-Inspired 2024 Maserati Grecale Folgore
- Speed and Salacious Brilliance: The 2024 Maserati Grecale Trofeo – A Review of Supercar Performance and Personality
- Fusing Heritage with Future: What’s in Store for Maserati’s 2024 Lineup?
- Top-Down Triumph: The 2024 Maserati GranCabrio Sports Droptop Sophistication & 542 Horsepower
- Supersonic, Passionate, and Prolific: Maserati 2024 Lineup’s Performance-Influenced Perfection