Maserati V8 Engine Could Return Due to Growing Customer Demand

Potential Return of Eight Cylinders

Davide Danesin revealed that customer desire for a proper V8 engine remains strong among luxury car buyers. He noted that platforms like the GranTurismo and GranCabrio were designed from the start to support multiple powerplants.

Danesin stated during an interview with CarSales, "My personal opinion is yes: I think the V-8 could potentially be coming back... I’m sure that if we would be making it, we would be selling it [but] maybe not in big numbers." He added, "We believe that a good V-8 engine could fit... it looks like the momentum for V-8 is building up."

Emotional Appeal Over Performance

The engineer clarified that a V-8 would not necessarily transform vehicle Performance numbers since the current V-6 is already powerful. Instead, buyers seek an eight-cylinder option purely for emotional appeal and traditional engine character.

Danesin explained, "I think the need of a V-8 is [about] having the proper engine for a certain vehicle." He emphasized that the desire stems mostly from a perception issue rather than raw output.

Future Powertrain Strategy

Maserati has not confirmed the exact specifications of a future V8 or whether it would feature turbochargers. However, brand executives indicated that electrification would likely remain separate from the traditional combustion lineup.

The automaker wants to keep different powertrain identities strictly distinct from one another. Final approval for the project ultimately depends on broader company strategies moving forward.