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Maserati Levante could get a V8 to battle the Cayenne Turbo

Maserati's new Levante crossover is based on the platform shared by the Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans. The Quattroporte's top engine is a 523-horsepower, twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8. When asked if that engine would fit in the Levante, a Maserati engineer gave the answer we were hoping to hear almost immediately. "Yes, it fits, and we have a prototype already," said Davide Danesin, the head of Maserati vehicle programs. The Levante will launch with two models, both of which use the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that Ferrari builds for Maserati, but in two different tunes. The first generation of the V6 launched in the Ghibli and Quattroporte. While the V8 is only currently used in the rear-drive Quattroporte GTS, Danesin assures us that packaging the V8 and an all-wheel-drive system works. There is that prototype, after all. The fact that Danesin volunteered that a V8 prototype exists leads us to believe it's being very seriously considered, since manufacturers reluctantly acknowledge that there will even be a future, let alone one that will bring new, as-yet-unannounced products. Maserati officials caution that it may be tough to make a case for such a vehicle, however, as the over-500-hp SUV segment is pretty small, at about 12,000 units per year by their estimates. It's also relatively crowded, with the logical bogeys being the Porsche Cayenne Turbo (520 hp) and Turbo S (570 hp) and the Range Rover Sport SVR (550 hp). None of them will touch the Levante's upcoming American cousin, the Hellcat-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, but that's cool. View 21 Photos We'd guess that the yay/nay on a V8 Levante will hinge on the overall popularity of the new model as well as the mix of 345-hp Levante versus 424-hp Levante S models once customers start ordering. Which is to say, if you think you'll want a V8 Levante eventually, get out there and buy a few Levante S models when they hit dealers this October. In other Maserati powertrain news, we're told the second-generation V6, which makes 20 more horsepower in its angriest tune and debuts in the Levante, will show up in the Ghibli and Quattroporte "soon." We'd peg that at mid-cycle refresh time, which should be in a year or so. The second-gen V6 gets its extra power from re-profiled camshafts, some redesign work on the heads, and other tweaks, likely in software. Oh, and for more on the first Maserati crossover and that updated engine, watch for our first drive of the twin-turbo V6 Levante very soon.

Ferrari F1 ace Sebastian Vettel shows the proper way to drive the LaFerrari Aperta

Listen, let's be frank here, we don't have to tell you much to get you to watch this video. It's a new Ferrari LaFerrari Aperta, that's the convertible variant, being driving on mountain roads and a race track. Behind the wheel is Ferrari's ace Formula One driver and four-time champion, Sebastian Vettel. Do you really need more than that? Fine, we'll tell you a little more. The LaFerrari Aperta sounds amazing, with all 12 cylinders shrieking as Vettel pushes it around corners. On track, we get to see a quick snippet of Ferrari's pride and joy drifting, too. The trio on the The Grand Tour would surely approve. The video also celebrates Ferrari's racing history, which spans nearly 70 years, by showing the company's famous race cars in reflections as the LaFerrari passes by. If that's not enough to get you to watch the video, you must really hate Ferraris. Related Video:

Fiat Chrysler denies rumors that Ferrari SpA is moving to London

It seems that reports of Ferrari's relocation to London have been somewhat exaggerated. The past few days have seen more than a few stories on the legendary Italian brand's decision to move its tax base out of Italy, and now Fiat Chrysler is speaking out against the scuttlebutt. "These rumors have no grounds," FCA said in a statement obtained by Reuters. "There is no intention to move the tax residence of Ferrari SpA outside Italy, nor is there any project to delocalize its Italian operations, which will continue to be subject to Italian tax jurisdiction." Ferrari's move to London was based on two beliefs. First, that the company would benefit from being located nearer the investor community, should it be listed on a European exchange. FCA, though, said a European listing was only a "possibility," according to Reuters. Instead, the company will be listed on an American market. Aside from the move to benefit investors, it was believed Ferrari was looking to relocate to escape Italy's more oppressive corporate tax rate, which sits around at 31.4 percent, compared to the UK's 20 percent, Bloomberg reports. This denial by Fiat Chrysler, though, should be enough to close the book on Ferrari leaving Italy, no matter how much sense it might make. Related Video: