Maserati has invested in a twin-turbo V6 engine, but it recognises V8s still have pull with premium vehicle buyers and isn’t closing the door on ever offering one again.
“We know the mood about V8s in the market of course, and would not say that we will never use again a V8 – maybe for special versions or some other models it’s something we could consider,” Maserati engineering boss Davide Danesin told media including CarExpert.
“But for sure, the Nettuno is very much at the centre of our propulsion strategy at the moment.
“It has a lot of innovation, it’s super light, super compact, very high power density.
“So from a design perspective, the Nettuno engine, it really has everything we need to really deliver the best driving experience for the customer.”
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The MC20 and its derivatives are powered by the Nettuno V6 in a rear mid-engine layout, while the new GranTurismo coupe and GranCabrio convertible will use it in a front mid-engine configuration.
“The only way we could execute a front mid-engine concept is by going to [a] super compact, super powerful V6, because you can slot it in behind the front axle and even allow for all-wheel drive – a big V8 block, you could have not done [in] a mid-engine car,” said Klaus Busse, Maserati’s head of design.
“So yes, you can say ‘I have a V8’ for bragging rights, but the driving performance would actually be inferior to that of what Davide and his team executed with the V6.
Under its former CEO Carlos Tavares, Maserati parent company Stellantis shifted away from V8 engines – so much so that Maserati, long known for its sonorous V8s, dropped them entirely.
The brand’s Ferrari-developed twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8 was offered in the Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans and the Levante SUV, but these vehicles recently exited production and took the bent-eight with them; the last V8-powered Maserati built was a special Quattroporte called the Grand Finale (pictured above).
The Nettuno V6 pre-dates the formation of Stellantis from the merger of Groupe PSA and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, but it’s no secret that V8s were de-prioritised during Mr Tavares’ time at the helm.
The Hemi and Hellcat V8 engines were dropped from the Ram 1500 pickup lineup in favour of turbocharged six-cylinder engines – a move which Ram CEO Tim Kuniskis has subsequently reversed, calling it a ‘mistake’ – while the new-generation Dodge Charger moved to electric power and has the same Hurricane six-cylinder engines coming shortly.
Jeep has also been progressively phasing out V8 engines.
Given Ram is now returning the 5.7-litre Hemi V8 to its 1500 lineup, it appears there’s more of an appetite for V8 engines under Stellantis’ new CEO Antonio Filosa. Whether that means a bent-eight will return to the Trident marque remains to be seen, however.
Maserati is Stellantis’ flagship brand, and other high-end brands are sticking with V8s, even amid tougher emissions regulations in key markets like Europe.
In many cases, rival brands are not only offering hybrid and electric powertrains alongside V8s, they’re also using V8 engines as part of plug-in hybrid powertrains.
Luxury brands that continue to offer V8 power include Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche.
Jaguar is moving to an electric-only lineup, something Maserati has previously promised to do by 2030. Since this announcement, however, Maserati cancelled plans to launch an electric Folgore version of its MC20 supercar.
It has also delayed all-electric replacements for the Levante and Quattroporte.