This year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed serves as the backdrop as Maserati rolls out two special editions this week, the Ghibli 334 Ultima and the Levante V8 Ultima.
It’s a fitting place for the two models to make their public showing, considering the annual event’s focus on historic motorsports and performance products. With the two special editions, Maserati ends the run of its vaunted twin-turbo V-8 as it prepares to shift to electrified drivetrain technology.
The Stellantis performance brand’s first all-electric model, the Grecale Folgore, will also make an appearance at the Goodwood Festival.
Wrapping up with a new record
The 572-horsepower twin-turbo V-8 used in the two new special editions is the direct descendant of the engine first used in the Maserati 5000 back in 1959.
The Maserati Ghibli 334 Ultima shows the eight-banger’s potential, the number referencing its speed in kilometers per hour — which translates into 207.54 miles per hour. That, the automaker notes, makes the Ultima the fastest sedan in the world powered by an internal combustion engine — beating out by a mere 1 mph the Bentley Flying Spur Speed.
The engine is shared with a limited-run version of the Maserati Levante, the automaker’s midsize crossover which made its debut in less muscular fashion back in 2016.
A bittersweet finale
Both the Ghibli and the Levante V8 Ultima will spend the extended weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed showcased at the First Glance Paddock along with a handful of other products making their debut.
When they go into production in the coming months, Maserati plans to produce just 103 of each, making the two special editions instant collectables.
The rollout of the two models is bittersweet for many fans of the Modena-based manufacturer. It marks a key moment in Maserati’s transition to electric propulsion — and away from a long-running alliance with Ferrari. The prancing horse brand has long produced the big V-8 for Maserati. Going forward, they will each go their separate ways. And both are beginning the transition to battery power.
Maserati plugs in
Maserati’s first fully-electric model also will be displayed at Goodwood on the show’s new “Electric Avenue.” The Grecale Folgore punches out over 500 horsepower and 605 pound-feet of torque. Its 105 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery can deliver up to an estimated 310 miles of range.
The Grecale Folgore will soon be joined in showrooms by the GranTurismo Folgore, Maserati’s new flagship. Where the Grecale uses a 400-volt electrical architecture, the GranTurismo amps up to 800 volts to improve performance and boost charging times — it can add 60 miles of range in as little as 5 minutes. Its three 300-kilowatt electric motors, one up front and two in the rear, will produce a combined 750 hp and 996 lb-ft of usable power.
Ultima performance
In production, the Ghibli Ultima will not only be the world’s fastest sedan but also offer an impressive launch. At 3.9 seconds 0-100 kmh (0 to 62.5 mph), it beats out the Ghibli Trofeo by 0.6 seconds.
It features the unique Scià di Persia color with Rubino accents, as well as a “334” badge on its fender. Add 21-inch sport aluminum alloy wheels and tires and other distinctive accents.
Goodwood Hill Climb
A number of other Maseratis will be on display at this year’s Festival of Speed, including the one-off GranTurismo Pisma, with its mirror-like finish.
And, the automaker notes, “The all-new 2024 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo will be joined by the Ghibli 334 Ultima and MC20 Cielo, finished in Rosso Vincente, for the Goodwood Hillclimb.”