So V8 Maseratis are dead. Bar a few Ghibli 334 Editions - and there really will be just a few, at £160k - there’s never going to be a Maserati again with more than six cylinders. Normally that’s cause for some sadness and wistful reminiscence, but actually it doesn’t seem the end of the world for Maserati; the Nettuno V6 is just as charismatic and powerful as might be hoped for from a flagship engine, and the range of Folgore EVs feels like exactly the kind of bold move the brand should be taking to help it stand out. We’ll gloss over the mild hybrid four cylinders for now.
Maserati at least ensured the F154 V8 got a decent sign-off, by creating a trio of near-600hp Trofeo models. At the time it looked bizarre, creating 200mph range-toppers of cars that sold in such small numbers, and now even more so - but brilliantly intriguing as a result. The Levante Trofeo received some attention as another super SUV in a busy segment, and similarly the Ghibli as an Italian alternative to the BMW M5 and Mercedes-AMG E63, but the Quattroporte not so much. It was the most expensive of the lot, at £125k, and probably the Ghibli was as much Trofeo super saloon as required for those in the market, and so now the QP is left as probably the rarest and definitely the coolest of those last-of-the-line V8s.
If never capturing hearts and minds like its predecessor, the sixth-generation Quattroporte did actually get the turbo V8 from day one. Now, in fact, the 530hp GTS is an interesting take on the executive express from just £20k. In finest Q-car tradition, the Trofeo didn’t shout about its performance potential too hard, with some red accents outside (including calipers behind the new wheels) and new badges to mark it out. It was a similar story inside, where, rather more disappointingly, the old architecture was not able to hide behind lashings of carbon trim.
Speaking of which, it would have taken a miracle for the ageing QP to be brought up to modern super-saloon standards for the Trofeo, and it wasn’t a drastically different car to drive than the GTS. On the other hand, you did get a melodic V8 with enormous power, an eight-speed auto that was well matched to it, and the unmatched joy of a well-balanced, long wheelbased rear-drive chassis. It wasn’t perfect (a long way from it) but the Maserati was very entertaining.
Because of that asking price, and because buyers would have to overlook cars like the BMW M760Li, AMG S63 and Audi S8 before getting to the QP, there aren’t many Trofeos around. This one may well be the old press car, given the spec matches and it’s notched up a respectable 20k. If it has been home to a few scuzzy journalists then the Quattroporte looks very good on it; this was never the ultimate in cabin tech or extroverted design, but you sense that might help the Quattroporte age better than some more adventurous rivals. It was cool at launch and will likely remain so, rather than having to wait for trends to change.
With those miles and years behind it, the price of this Maserati has dropped accordingly - £74,990 is still a chunk of change, but far more enticing than that slightly silly original RRP. Perhaps the rarity and end-of-an-era status might help its residuals going forward, though if the GTS is anything to go by then the Trofeo has a little way to go yet. But then any Maserati, new or used, two-door or four-door, V8 or not, was never really about being a rational purchase. A newer, lower mileage Audi S8 could be bought for less money, but something like that simply isn’t going to figure if the Quattroporte appeals. It isn’t hard to see why it might - especially with £50k off.
SPECIFICATION | MASERATI QUATTROPORTE TROFEO
Engine: 3,799cc, twin turbocharged V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 580@6,750rpm
Torque (lb ft): 538@2,250-5,250rpm
0-62mph: 4.5sec
Top speed: 202mph
MPG: 22.8
CO2: 280g/km
Year registered: 2021
Recorded mileage: 26,488
Price new: £125,010 (before options)
Yours for: £74,990
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