Alpine Adieu: Saying Goodbye to the Maserati Ghibli 334 in a Spectacular Final Drive

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!

Tags: 334 Ultima, Ghibli, Jim Butler Maserati, Jim Butler Maserati St. Louis, Levante, Quattroporte
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