Maserati has unveiled another go-fast version of its Levante SUV, whipping the covers off the V8-powered GTS at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The GTS will sit beneath the range-topping Trofeo, revealed in March, and is powered by the same twin-turbocharged 3.8-litre V8 engine built by Ferrari.

In new GTS guise, Maserati'sPorsche Macan-hunter makes slightly less power than its Trofeo sibling, now sending 404kW and 730Nm thundering toward all four tyres thanks to its Q4 all-wheel-drive system.

As you have probably guessed, those kinds of performance figures ensure the big Levante is no kind of slouch. In fact, Maserati tells us the GTS will clip 100km/h in just 4.2seconds, and that it will push on to a physics-defying 298km/h. The school run has never looked so fast.

Elsewhere, the Levante has had a sporty makeover similar to that of the Trofeo, with a lower front fascia and rear bumper, flared rear guards and a blacked-out effect on its gaping grille. Inside, expect leather trim, sports pedals and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon stereo. 

The GTS is yet to be confirmed for Australia (nor is the Trofeo, for that matter), but given our appetite for luxury SUVs, we’d be very surprised if it didn’t make a local debut. So watch this space.

The Levante GTS or a Porsche Macan? Tell us in the comments below.