RE: Maserati promises world's fastest saloon for FoS
RE: Maserati promises world's fastest saloon for FoS
Tuesday 11th July 2023

Maserati promises world's fastest saloon for FoS

The end is near for V8-engined Grand Tourers; Maserati wants to go out in style


Maserati says it will use this week's Festival of Speed to celebrate its V8 engine, which has already entered the final chapter of a storied history that stretches back to the launch of the 5000 GT in 1959. To mark the final departure of the sweet-sounding, 572hp eight-pot - and the GT cars it powered - the firm will use the event to grant global debuts to two special edition models: the Ghibli 334 Ultima and the Levante V8 Ultima. 

Full details remain under wraps till tomorrow, but Maserati confirmed that '334' denotes the Ghibili’s top speed in kilometres per hour - or 208mph rounded up. According to the manufacturer, that impressively large number would make the special edition variant the world’s fastest saloon powered by internal combustion. Which as hooks go, is not a bad one for your last-ever petrol-powered GT car. 

Maserati makes no equivalent claim for the Levante, but reckons that both flavours of Ultima will swiftly become ‘collector’s items’ in the coming months. Given the level of affection for the brand in the UK - and the soulful soundtrack of its V8 - that prediction probably isn’t far wide of the mark. No word yet on whether the special edition cars will be produced in specific volumes, but with the production of the engine time limited anyway, neither is likely to be available for long. 

Of course, if that doesn’t sound like your kind of jam, there will be plenty more to see on the Maserati stand, including the new GranTurismo in both one-off Prisma format and as the all-electric 1,200hp Folgore. Although the thing you should absolutely not miss if you haven’t already encountered it, is the sight (and sound) of the current MC20 Cielo, which is due on the hill climb throughout the weekend. Run-out V8 cars notwithstanding, the open-top 621hp supercar is still Maserati’s irrefutable showstopper. 


Author
Discussion

Wab1974uk

Original Poster:

1,410 posts

57 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
My new benchmark for any car is now 2300bhp.

Frankly anything less doesn't interest me. I want to show that Audi A4 TDI owner who's boss while we both sit the traffic jamb on the M1.

Kerniki

2,903 posts

51 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Wab1974uk said:
My new benchmark for any car is now 2300bhp.

Frankly anything less doesn't interest me. I want to show that Audi A4 TDI owner who's boss while we both sit the traffic jamb on the M1.
Its all about the dominate dont you know! You dont need to actually use it smile

Sevenman

764 posts

222 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Wab1974uk said:
My new benchmark for any car is now 2300bhp.

Frankly anything less doesn't interest me. I want to show that Audi A4 TDI owner who's boss while we both sit the traffic jamb on the M1.
2300bhp is simply excessive. Although may be needed for adequate performance in a large SUV.

Manufacturers should agree to cap power for road cards at a sensible 2000bhp for the safety of all involved, not to mention emissions control.

The door should be left open though for aftermarket tuning if owners find it unsatisfactory.


Zetec-S

6,915 posts

123 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Wab1974uk said:
My new benchmark for any car is now 2300bhp.

Frankly anything less doesn't interest me. I want to show that Audi A4 TDI owner who's boss while we both sit the traffic jamb on the M1.
Meanwhile the bloke in the remapped 335d in the next lane will be looking down on both of you wink

bumskins

2,268 posts

45 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Zetec-S said:
Wab1974uk said:
My new benchmark for any car is now 2300bhp.

Frankly anything less doesn't interest me. I want to show that Audi A4 TDI owner who's boss while we both sit the traffic jamb on the M1.
Meanwhile the bloke in the remapped 335d in the next lane will be looking down on both of you staring smugly in the rear view mirror through the cloud of smoke and soot from their DPF delete and smokey remap wink
FTFY

Deranged Rover

4,680 posts

104 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Zetec-S said:
Meanwhile the bloke in the remapped 335d in the next lane will be looking down on both of you wink
And the chap in the white Astramax diesel beside him will flick the whole lot of you a v-sign as he vanishes into the distance!

As to fastest production saloon ever - i thought that was the Brabus EV12 that could crack 220mph or so?

LuS1fer

43,526 posts

275 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Not sure who really cares what the top speed is. If you want to go over 200mph, a Dodge Charger Hellcat will do a mere 203mph for a lot less money.

But who will ever attain it?

nismo48

7,127 posts

237 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
LuS1fer said:
Not sure who really cares what the top speed is. If you want to go over 200mph, a Dodge Charger Hellcat will do a mere 203mph for a lot less money.

But who will ever attain it?
Hmmm fair comment!!
Wonder what the M25 'Ring/Orbital' record is these days ?
Obviously 2300bhp could come in handy wink

cookie1600

2,739 posts

191 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
I'm sure Ultima Cars Ltd of Hinkley will be on the phone to their lawyers shortly. It's not like they don't already hold lots of speed and acceleration records.

Wadeski

9,043 posts

243 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Deranged Rover said:
Zetec-S said:
Meanwhile the bloke in the remapped 335d in the next lane will be looking down on both of you wink
And the chap in the white Astramax diesel beside him will flick the whole lot of you a v-sign as he vanishes into the distance!

As to fastest production saloon ever - i thought that was the Brabus EV12 that could crack 220mph or so?
All depends on your definition of "production" but they only made 10 of those.

anonymous-user

84 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
cookie1600 said:
I'm sure Ultima Cars Ltd of Hinkley will be on the phone to their lawyers shortly. It's not like they don't already hold lots of speed and acceleration records.
Do they make a saloon version now?!?

Ray_Aber

947 posts

306 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Someone forgot to clean the wheels of brake dust. They look filthy.

TheMilkyBarKid

880 posts

59 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
nismo48 said:
LuS1fer said:
Not sure who really cares what the top speed is. If you want to go over 200mph, a Dodge Charger Hellcat will do a mere 203mph for a lot less money.

But who will ever attain it?
Hmmm fair comment!!
Wonder what the M25 'Ring/Orbital' record is these days ?
Obviously 2300bhp could come in handy wink
I’d say about 6 hours - 117 miles at an average of, ooh 20 mph would be about right? hehe

SpeckledJim

34,241 posts

283 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
334 is a very stupid name for mph markets.

It just looks like the power figure and any willy will need very careful coaxing out of its standard 'iceberg' stowed position before any hint of waving can go on.


markcoopers

783 posts

223 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Well i am sure Maserati are blown away by the focus and positive comments on her thus far……seems we simply don’t care.

AlasdairB10

176 posts

221 months

Wednesday 12th July 2023
quotequote all
Lots of taking the mick here but I had one of these (a Trofeo), for a few months and it was lovely car. Fantastic noise and very comfortable. Got loads of attention - if that’s your thing. My wife said it was the first car she’s ever liked and I’ve had all sorts of cars that people generally rate highly. She’d gladly swap our E63s for one if we could find one.

Could do without the stickers though.

Sevenman

764 posts

222 months

Thursday 13th July 2023
quotequote all
cookie1600 said:
I'm sure Ultima Cars Ltd of Hinkley will be on the phone to their lawyers shortly. It's not like they don't already hold lots of speed and acceleration records.
Are they known for that sort of thing? They didn't come across as that type of company.

As MrBig noted, I haven't see. the saloon version of their car which holds the records this Maserati might break.

phatman5000

90 posts

85 months

Thursday 13th July 2023
quotequote all
So you make the bottom-range one the fastest one.

GRR MASERATI

No offense to Ghibli owners but the Quattroporte needed that.

Martin 480 Turbo

722 posts

217 months

Friday 14th July 2023
quotequote all
What a shame.

Not enough power. Not secure in style. A poseur on lease rates. Why not ask Poltrona Frau for help, where help is needed?

phalfalan

22 posts

148 months

Saturday 15th July 2023
quotequote all
I bought a Trofeo Ghibli 9 months ago and did a trip from home to Tuscany and back a couple of weeks ago - circa 650 miles each day x 2 down and sane back. 4 up, averaged 27 mpg and just loved it. Even Trofeo’s appear rare and heard they are building 103 total of the 334 and Levante, less than 10 of each in RHD. The engine is the highlight but I am very impressed with the build quality and it’s unstated. If you didn’t know it could be either the Diesel or 3.0 petrol. Last of its kind and it’s a keeper!