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Maserati Ghibli 334 Ultima First (and Final) Drive Review: Arrivederci V8

BORMIO, Italy – Maserati has sold more than 100,000 cars with a V8 engine. Its smallest V8s had 3.2 liters of displacement; its biggest were 4.9-liter units. Its first V8 powered the rare, short-lived V8RI race car released in 1935; its final V8s will be built in December 2023 for the Ghibli, Quattroporte and Levante. After that, the curtains come down. Officially, the Italian brand explains its new, 3.0-liter Nettuno V6 (a brilliant engine thatÂ’s twin-turbocharged to 621 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque in the MC20) leaves nothing to be desired in terms of performance. Privately, insiders also cite looming emissions regulations in key markets as a reason for finally hopping on the downsizing train. Will the V8 ever come back? “Never say never,” IÂ’m told, though a return isnÂ’t planned as of this writing. To hell with heritage; the cost of summoning a dark cloud of disapproval from regulators around the world outweighs whatever benefits Maserati would reap by saving the V8 in the name of tradition. ItÂ’s the end of the V8 era, then, and Maserati is commemorating it with two limited-edition models called Ghibli 334 Ultima and Levante V8 Ultima, respectively. The Quattroporte is available with a V8 as well, but a special-edition version of the big sedan isnÂ’t in the pipeline because Maserati wanted to focus on its better-selling models. In both cases, the Italian company has saved the best for last. The Ghibli 334 Ultima stands out with an edition-specific color called Persia Blu, 21-inch Orione wheels, Pirelli P-Zero tires made using a stickier compound, and several carbon fiber bits (such as the door mirror caps) that save about 55 pounds. The Rubino Red “334” logo painted on each fender denotes the new top speed: 334 kilometers per hour, which represents about 207 miles per hour and makes the 334 faster than the Trofeo itÂ’s based on by 5 mph — itÂ’s also the fastest sedan on the market. The previous title holder, BentleyÂ’s Continental Flying Spur, tops out at 333 kph, which also converts to about 207 mph, but Maserati is Italian and uses the metric system to measure its bragging rights. The sedanÂ’s 0-to-62-mph time drops from 4.3 to 3.9 seconds, but the engine remains the same: ItÂ’s the tried-and-true 3.8 rated at 572 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque. Inside, the 334 Ultima comes with two-tone Pale Terracotta and black upholstery that echoes some of MaseratiÂ’s classic models without going full-on retro.

Maserati adds rear seats to GranTurismo MC Stradale for Geneva

More seats inside the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale means the possibility of a wider audience in more ways than one. Currently only available as a two-seater (we don't get the Stradale version, we get the four-seat GranTurismo MC), the addition of back seats will allow twice as many folks inside, and add the car to the purchase lists of those who need to carry more than two souls in their race-derived, 470-horsepower luxury coupes.
Furthermore, the MC Stradale now gets a carbon fiber hood with an air intakes and extractors, 20-inch alloys and new materials inside. It will take the A-lister's spot on the Maserati stand at the Geneva Motor Show, making its world debut alongside the European debut of the new Quattroporte. The press release below can tell you more.

Maserati expands Quattroporte cable recall to 1,000 units

It was nearly two years ago that Maserati issued a recall for a number of Quattroporte sedans. At the time, the recall only affected 63 units in the United States. But now the Italian automaker has broadened that campaign to include nearly 1,000 examples across the country. The issue in question is related to the battery positive cable for the alternator and starter motor, the insulating cap of which may not have been installed correctly. The cable may not have been secured properly in the engine bay, too. According to the statement below from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the problem could increase the likelihood of the cable shorting out, causing the wiring harness to overheat and potentially start a fire, or the engine to stall and potentially cause the vehicle to crash. The expanded recall still only affects certain examples of the 2014 Maserati Quattroporte GTS with the V8 engine – namely those manufactured between October 1 and December 31, 2013. That now includes an estimated 984 vehicles in the United States, the owners of which can expect to hear from their local dealer to have the cable inspected and, if necessary, replaced. Related Video: RECALL Subject : Starter Motor Cable may Short to Ground Report Receipt Date: OCT 21, 2015 NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V686000 Component(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Potential Number of Units Affected: 984 Manufacturer: Maserati North America, Inc. SUMMARY: Maserati North America, Inc. (Maserati) is recalling certain model year 2014 Quattroporte GTS V8 vehicles manufactured October 1, 2013, to December 31, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the battery positive cable for the alternator and starter motor may not have its insulating cap installed properly at the starter motor. Additionally, the cable may not be adequately secured in the engine bay. These factors may result in the cable shorting to ground. CONSEQUENCE: If the battery positive cable shorts to ground, the wiring harness may overheat, resulting in a fire. The car also may stall, increasing the risk of a crash. REMEDY: Maserati will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle to verify that the starter motor cable has a properly installed protective cap and that the cable is adequately secured. If not, the starter motor cable assembly will be replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall is expected to begin November 11, 2015. Owners may contact Maserati customer service at 1-201-816-2600.