The end of the Maserati V8

Adrian GTS · Jul 4, 2020

I am impressed at the 620hp that this engine will produce out of a 3.0V6.
This engine is quite interesting. Has a 11:1 compression ratio, generally you don't see
that high compression ratio on a turbo. However by having a higher compression ratio, the engine
can run on lower boost and the turbo can have a longer life span. Another interesting thing about this
engine, is that it has a 90 degree configuration with a different firing order, than the current V6 engine. I think they
are going after a different sound. I still believe that a V8 just makes the best sound, that can't be replicated with less cylinders.

I would like to see them add the other 2 cylinders bringing it to a 4.0V8, where we could expect over 800hp.
That would be spectacular.
What do you think about this engine being a v6?

sixtysixpony · Jul 4, 2020

it's just a sign of the times. You won't see V8s much longer in any vehicle, but really not needed when the manufacturers can get 500-600hp from a 6 cylinder engine. Unfortunately you will never get the sound that a NA V8 can produce. The turbo kills the sound. I've heard clips of the MC20 and I didn't care for the sound 😕.

merak1974 · Jul 7, 2020

Like you, I think V8s sound great and lament their demise. That said, I do not think the sound of the new V6 will be as "bland" (especially at idle) as that in the clip from a few months back. I am pretty sure Maserati will finetune the sound and make it just fine.

BrianGTC · Jul 7, 2020

You can never make a 6 sound like an 8. Although I'm sure that the engineers at Maserati will do their best to make the new engines sound as good as they can.

DSGT · Jul 7, 2020

Could not agree more . And “as good as they can“ will still not match a n/a V8. Turbos further muffle the glorious sound the engine produces, so even the twin turbo V8s don’t have the superb growl the n/a V8 generates, much less a 6 Cyl turbo. Also, as I posted in the MC 20 tread, recognizing this is very subjective, in addition to the rather pathetic sound, I also detest the way 6 cyl engines rev, and no matter how much power / how fast the cars may be , the “feel” of the 6 cyl engine is completely uninspiring to me. Perfectly ok in a sedan or a SUV, but in a sports car or a sporty touring car, it’s not something I’d ever consider, though I realize it’s the future ..as are electric cars, but I’ll gladly live the rest of my life without either.

psb1013 · Jul 7, 2020

Technically, Maserati's V8 is not dead, yet.

They still make the amazing 3.9L TT V8 for the Levante GTS and Trofeo.

merak1974 · Jul 7, 2020

Yes, you are right, and the current Quattroporte GTS also has a V8

psb1013 · Jul 7, 2020

You know what's better than a n/a V8?...........a V12! (and a Ferrari V12 at that!)

merak1974 · Jul 7, 2020

So a 16 would be even better then?

Hm....

merak1974 · Jul 7, 2020

16 cylinders can sound pretty nice too:

DSGT · Jul 7, 2020

Not in terms of sound ..to my ears anyway .. somehow the V12s ( in any car ) just can’t produce the sound of a V8, it either “screams“ as is the case in Ferraris, or Lambos , which is not something I care for, or it‘s more reserved, like in the Aston Martins.
Not bad, just not as balanced as the V8 . Same with that LFA and most Lamborghinis; a very thin sounding scream, like a humming bird on steroids .. great for the old F1 cars on a track, but not something I want to listen to in grand touring cars.
That said, the 599 is a car for which I drool , but would only get it in pure manual form ( I’m not a big fan of paddle shift / automatic trans in these kind of cars ) although there is no way I can justify 3 X the price of a regular 599 for it .. Not to mention the much bigger cost of what would be a sure divorce if my wife found out I paid $ 400,000 for a car😌

Jason@ Enzo`s Atlanta · Jul 7, 2020

IMO think the Ferrari V8s with that flat plane crank have the best sound...I love the later v12 Ferrari cars and power band is excellent, but I'm not sure they sound better than a 355....Jason

DSGT · Jul 7, 2020

Yeah the 355 does have a great note ..

timado404 · Sep 15, 2020

Especially with my Capristo stage 2 exhaust 👍🏽

psb1013 · Jul 7, 2020

My List for Best Engine Sounds:

1. Lexus LFA
2. Ferrari F12 TDF
3. Ferrari LaFerrari
4. Ferrari 458 Speciale
5. Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale
6. Lambo Aventador SVJ
7. Porsche GT3 RS
8. Porsche Carrera GT
9. Lambo Huracan EVO
10. Ferrari 599 GTB/GTO
11. Maserati Granturismo
12. McLaren 720S

As you can tell, I'm bias towards the high-pitch "F1-sounding" engines. I don't particularly care for the deep, bass rumble sounds from American-style muscle cars. A lot of people love the AMG cars' rumble and believe they sound among the best, but for me, it's too "muscle car."

silvertonesx24 · Jul 8, 2020

Obviously this is all subjective. But Aston Martin should be on that list I think. Neighbor has a GT3 and I find it whiny. The Vantage is a roar and when the valves open on a DB9 it is glorious. I do like the AMG sound but I know what you mean, it's German muscle.

DSGT · Jul 7, 2020

Two different schools of thought on exhaust sounds for sure, and it‘s entirely subjective so there is no right or wrong, just individual preferences.
I take that back, the ONLY right or wrong is when it comes to electric car sounds.. if anyone asserts they prefer the sound of a sewing machine mating with a golf cart, they need to get off this forum ( or any other real cars forums for that matter ) 🤨😆

RtDK · Jul 8, 2020

I've heard Maseratis new six-cylinders, and I have to say, while they'll never be a match for the glorious sound of the GranTurismo's V8, Maserati really knows how to tune an exhaust. They do it better than anyone else, if you ask me, and if anyone can make a six-cylinder sound epic, I'd bet on them. They make a four-door sedan that sounds better than the V6 F-Type, and I'm convinced they'll make it even better on their higher-end cars.

DSGT · Jul 8, 2020

I want that car !! What a blast !
And considering how practical it is, you can even start a delivery business, advertising it as the quickest door to door service on earth .

BlackMasi · Jul 9, 2020

Yep, and the advertising slogan will be: "we deliver pizza with emotions!" 😂

RtDK · Jul 8, 2020

Well, when your V6 sounds this good....

DSGT · Jul 8, 2020

To me, that sounds like a 4 cylinder with a BB ( Billy Boat ) or Borla aftermarket exhaust . Maybe just a little better .

ddsski · Sep 15, 2020

Best Ferrari engine sounds came from the mid 90's and the beginning of the mad max Papis era in the 333SP!!! You could point a finger around LRP for an entire lap and know where he was!!! Still have that T shirt!!! My only ferrari item as I don't portend to be a poseur.

DSGT · Sep 15, 2020

Sound is very subjective .. I for one, prefer a deeper note to the high pitch / scream sounds most Ferraris or Lamborghinis emit . Having said that, one of the few Ferrari sounds I do like quite a lot ( if my memory serves me ) is the 360 .

DSGT · Sep 15, 2020

Right, both 355 and 360, with the Capristo ..

Jason@ Enzo`s Atlanta · Sep 16, 2020

Agreed..The 355 and the 360 both sound excellent, but here is the problem...You can't make enough HP per liter in a normally aspirated engine to keep up with other manufactures...You need forced induction and turbos remove a lot of that great sound..Jason

DSGT · Sep 16, 2020

Sigh, yes .. performance more often than not at the expense of sound . Talking about HP per liter and mind numbing technology, check this out : How Koenigsegg’s 2.0-Liter No-Camshaft Engine Makes 600 Horsepower
Wow.
But I bet our Maserati V8s sound much better ..

BlackMasi · Sep 16, 2020

And do not forget the increasing regulation and tougher laws. Current and future CO2 regulations are killing off the good old naturally aspirated engines, and noise regulations do the rest. There comes a time when we are no longer allowed to move at all, we have to hold our breath. Because too much CO2 could be produced...

Todd Cloutier · Sep 16, 2020

World might be something like this:

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

silvertonesx24 · Sep 16, 2020

When the Corvette and Mustang no longer offer a V8, then I might be concerned. But still probably not.

Quartz watches "killed" mechanical watches
Solid state guitar amps and softsynths "killed" musical instruments
CDs "killed" vinyl

Yet you can still buy and in many cases spend premium money for a preferred example of all three.

Unless (US) speed limits are raised and the interstates become the autobahn unlimited, aren't we already at the point where more power either turbo or electic is pretty pointless within the framework of what we drive around in?

BlackMasi · Sep 16, 2020

There is a little hope, think about Rolex, IWC, Audemars Piguet, Breitling, TAG Heuer, Blancpain, Patek Philippe, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Hublot; market pressure was needed to wake up the Swiss geniality in watches craftsmanship and people realized how beautiful and valuable such elaborate and artistic technology really is.

DSGT · Sep 16, 2020

So true !!

sc00b · Sep 16, 2020

the point of speed limits and roadways is what always boggled my mind. supercar performance is a status symbol, as there isn't anywhere off track to open cars up without either wrapping it around a pole, endangering/killing bystanders, or having to be in a spot where you can pay to play when you inevitably get a ticket or loose your license.
sub 3 seconds to 60 is bad ass, but is lost on many when the typical speed limit is 40.

timado404 · Sep 16, 2020

sc00b said:
the point of speed limits and roadways is what always boggled my mind. supercar performance is a status symbol, as there isn't anywhere off track to open cars up without either wrapping it around a pole, endangering/killing bystanders, or having to be in a spot where you can pay to play when you inevitably get a ticket or loose your license.
sub 3 seconds to 60 is bad ass, but is lost on many when the typical speed limit is 40.

YEP!

psb1013 · Sep 17, 2020

You also have to realize that 99.9999% of the population can't fully exploit the capabilities of cars that fast. Specs have become nothing more than a status symbol, that's all. It's like owning a very expensive diving watch. The vast majority of people who own them never even swam in waters more than 20 feet deep. I know most Ferrari owners have never taken their cars to redline not even once. I remember one time I was at my local Ferrari dealer getting my 599 serviced and a Chinese couple came up to me and asked which Ferrari model I recommend for them to buy for their 16-yr. old son to make him look "cool" in front of his classmates. I just laughed and rolled my eyes....🙄

BlackMasi · Sep 18, 2020

psb1013 said:
You also have to realize that 99.9999% of the population can't fully exploit the capabilities of cars that fast. Specs have become nothing more than a status symbol, that's all. It's like owning a very expensive diving watch.
...

Let's be honest, this has always been the case. This stupidness started when they tried to transform the first "racing cars" to the road just to generate money for the racing teams. From a technical point of view this has never made sense, it has always been about money and fun. Racing technology for the public road, that reads already completely senseless. And when the manufacturers tried to compete with the sports cars with the power limousines, there was no stopping the madness. But hey, what the hell, yes, it makes fun, we have fun!

ddsski · Sep 19, 2020

For a few of us, driving to a track day, expoiting the car to its limits, and then driving back home is a true joy! Reason I love my Evoras so much.

The end of the Maserati V8

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