Does Maserati Use Ferrari Engines? | What’s True In 2026

Older V8 models used Ferrari-built engines; most current cars run Maserati’s Nettuno V6 or Stellantis-sourced fours.

Maserati and Ferrari get linked for one simple reason: for years, some Maseratis really did run Ferrari-built engines. That history is real, easy to verify, and it shaped how people talk about the brand.

Still, the answer depends on which Maserati you mean. A 2010s Quattroporte or Levante with a 3.8-liter V8 sits in a different bucket than an MC20-based car with a Nettuno V6, or a modern four-cylinder daily driver.

This article breaks it down in plain terms: what Maserati used from Ferrari, when that supply tapered off, what Maserati builds in-house now, and how to identify what’s in your own car without guessing.

Why People Associate Maserati With Ferrari

The two brands shared corporate ties for a long stretch, and that made powertrain sharing practical. For buyers, the overlap became part of the appeal: Maserati style with Ferrari-flavored hardware in select trims.

That link got stronger because it wasn’t limited to one niche model. Ferrari-supplied engines appeared in multiple Maserati lines across years, so the association stuck in search results, forums, dealership copy, and casual car talk.

Then Maserati pivoted. The company started putting more energy into its own engine identity, and today the headline story is less “Ferrari inside” and more “Maserati’s own tech.” A clear example is the Nettuno V6, which Maserati introduced as a clean-sheet engine for its super sports car era. The official spec overview is laid out in Maserati’s own release on the Nettuno engine announcement page.

Does Maserati Use Ferrari Engines? What Changed After 2021

In day-to-day terms: most new Maseratis sold now do not rely on Ferrari engines. The long-running relationship shifted as contracts ended and Maserati moved to engines developed under its own badge or sourced through its wider corporate group.

Reports from the period describe Ferrari stepping away from supplying engines to Maserati once contractual obligations ran their course. One widely cited overview of that change is summarized in Carscoops’ report on Ferrari ending Maserati supply, which points to the 2021–2022 window that many shoppers still reference.

There’s a detail worth keeping straight: ending a supply path doesn’t mean every Ferrari-derived engine vanished from roads overnight. It means new production and new programs shifted away. Plenty of earlier cars remain on the used market, and owners still service them like any other modern performance engine.

Where Ferrari Engines Show Up In Maserati History

When people say “Ferrari engine Maserati,” they usually mean one of two things:

• A Ferrari-built V8 supplied to Maserati for certain models and trims.
• An engine family co-developed during shared ownership eras, where the engineering DNA is close even if the badge on the intake manifold differs.

The most famous recent example is the twin-turbo V8 used in high-performance variants of the Quattroporte and Levante. That V8 became a core part of Maserati’s modern image: big torque, a hard-edged soundtrack, and effortless highway speed.

Then the V8 era started winding down. Coverage around Maserati’s V8 farewell notes the supplier agreement timing and the phase-out of that engine in final special editions. A clear explainer is in Motor1’s piece on Maserati retiring its V8.

So yes, Ferrari engines were real in Maserati production cars. No, that does not mean every Maserati ever made was Ferrari-powered. The overlap was meaningful, but it was selective.

What Maserati Uses Now

Maserati’s current story splits into two practical buckets: models driven by the Nettuno V6 concept, and models that use modern turbocharged four-cylinder engines for daily use and efficiency targets.

Nettuno V6 In Performance Models

The Nettuno is positioned as “Pure Maserati” and built around a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 layout. Maserati lays out the core specs and design notes in its official material, including the Modena “Made in Modena” framing and the engine’s combustion approach. You can cross-check that in the brand’s own pages, including the Stellantis press release on the Nettuno engine.

In plain terms, the Nettuno exists to give Maserati a signature engine it can tune across a range of performance cars without leaning on Ferrari supply. If you’re shopping the MC20 line or related performance builds, this is the name you’ll see again and again.

Turbo Fours In Mainstream Models

For daily-driver segments, Maserati has leaned on modern turbocharged four-cylinder engines in several trims. This is the practical side of the lineup: strong midrange pull, easier ownership costs than a big V8, and a better fit for global emissions rules.

That change also lines up with the way many premium brands now structure their ranges: one or two halo powertrains for performance identity, and efficient engines for the bulk of sales.

Table 1: Ferrari Use Vs Maserati Engines By Model Era

The table below compresses the “what engine is it?” story into a quick scan. Use it to sort older Ferrari-supplied V8 cars from Nettuno-era and four-cylinder-era models without mixing them up.

Maserati Model Or Era	Typical Engine Source	What That Means For Buyers
Quattroporte (select V8 trims, 2010s)	Ferrari-built twin-turbo V8	High-performance feel; check service history and cooling upkeep closely.
Levante Trofeo / select V8 trims	Ferrari-built twin-turbo V8	Fast, heavy SUV; brake and tire costs track the performance level.
Ghibli / Levante (many non-V8 trims)	Non-Ferrari turbo engines	More mainstream ownership profile; still a premium-car maintenance schedule.
MC20 / MC20 Cielo	Maserati Nettuno 3.0L V6	Maserati’s modern signature engine; tune and character are brand-led.
Newer performance programs (Nettuno family)	Maserati Nettuno-based V6	More consistency across the performance range; fewer “Ferrari supply” variables.
Modern daily-driver trims (several markets)	Turbocharged four-cylinder	Balanced power and running costs; check trim and market spec sheets.
Used-market “Ferrari engine” listings	Depends on trim and year	Verify with VIN decode, build sheet, and engine code, not the seller headline.
Late V8 farewell editions	Ferrari-built V8 (final runs)	Collectibility angle; treat condition and documentation as the price driver.

How To Tell If A Specific Maserati Has A Ferrari Engine

If you’re trying to confirm an engine in a car you own or plan to buy, skip hearsay and use checks that leave a paper trail. Here’s what works.

Start With The VIN And Build Data

The VIN is your anchor. Sellers can be wrong, listings can be sloppy, and even well-meaning enthusiasts can mix trims across years. A VIN decode and factory build data give you the cleanest starting point.

If you’re buying from a dealer, ask for a spec sheet or original window sticker equivalent for that market. If you’re buying private-party, ask for service invoices that list the engine type or part numbers.

Check The Engine Code And Underhood Labels

Many cars have underhood labels, emissions stickers, or service tags that point to displacement, engine family, or calibration. Photos help. If the seller can’t produce clear pictures, treat that as a yellow flag, not a dealbreaker, then verify in person.

Use Service Records As Proof

Service invoices often list engine oil spec, spark plug part numbers, belt service notes, and sometimes the engine family. A Ferrari-supplied V8 will often show a different parts pattern than a V6 or four-cylinder.

For performance trims, check records for cooling system work, ignition system refresh, and any turbo-related repairs. These cars can be solid, but deferred maintenance gets expensive fast.

Ownership Reality: What Changes When The Engine Source Changes

Engine origin matters, but it’s not the only factor that shapes ownership. Here are the practical differences buyers actually feel.

Service Cost And Parts Availability

Ferrari-supplied V8 Maseratis often carry higher parts and labor costs. That’s not only because of the badge, but because the performance level demands more from brakes, tires, fluids, and cooling hardware.

Nettuno-based cars are newer and may have different parts pipelines depending on region. A newer powertrain can mean better diagnostics and updated components, but it also means you’ll want a dealer or specialist who’s current on the platform.

Driving Character

The Ferrari V8 era is known for a dramatic, muscular feel. The Nettuno V6 delivers performance with a different personality: lighter, more compact, and tuned to fit modern packaging and emissions constraints.

For daily-driver trims, a turbo four can feel more relaxed in normal traffic, with strong midrange pull and better fuel use than a large-displacement setup.

Resale And Buyer Perception

Some shoppers pay a premium for “Ferrari engine” listings, even when the claim is vague. That can boost resale for documented V8 trims, but it can also inflate prices for cars that don’t actually have a Ferrari-built engine.

Your best defense is documentation: build data, service history, and clear photos. If the paperwork is thin, price the car like a car, not like a rumor.

Table 2: Quick Checks Before You Buy A “Ferrari Engine” Maserati

Use this as a buyer checklist. It keeps you from paying extra for a claim that isn’t backed by proof.

Check	What To Ask For	What A Good Answer Looks Like
VIN verification	VIN + trim + model year	VIN decode matches the claimed V8 trim and drivetrain.
Build sheet or spec sheet	Factory build data or dealer printout	Lists displacement and engine family clearly.
Service invoices	Oil, plugs, belts, cooling work history	Regular service with named parts and dates, not vague notes.
Underhood photo set	Engine bay shots, labels, stickers	Clear images that match the claimed engine layout and components.
Pre-purchase inspection	Independent specialist inspection report	Compression/diagnostic checks, leak checks, scan results documented.
Test drive behavior	Cold start, idle, boost response, temps	Stable idle, clean power delivery, no overheating signs.

Common Myths That Waste Buyers’ Time

“All Maseratis Have Ferrari Engines”

No. Some trims did, many did not. The only safe way to answer is by model, trim, and year.

“If It Sounds Like A Ferrari, It Must Be A Ferrari Engine”

Exhaust tuning, intake design, turbo hardware, and even cabin sound management can reshape what you hear. Sound can hint at performance, not provenance.

“Ferrari Ending Supply Means Older Cars Are Hard To Maintain”

Older cars still get serviced every day. The real divider is documentation and upkeep. A well-kept example tends to be easier to own than a neglected one, regardless of engine origin.

Choosing The Right Maserati Based On What You Want

If your goal is the classic “Ferrari V8 Maserati” feel, shop the documented V8 trims with full records. Budget for premium tires, brakes, and preventive maintenance. Treat the service history as part of the car, not a nice extra.

If you want Maserati’s modern performance identity, focus on Nettuno-powered cars. You’ll still want strong records and a proper inspection, but you’re buying into Maserati’s current engineering direction, not a legacy supply chain.

If your plan is daily driving with a luxury badge and Italian styling, a turbo four-cylinder trim can make more sense. The ownership profile is often easier, and you can spend your money on condition, options, and a clean history rather than chasing one engine label.

So, does Maserati use Ferrari engines? Some used-market cars still do. Most new production has moved on. The best move is simple: verify the exact car in front of you, then buy on evidence.