With over one hundred years of automotive excellence, Maserati was well positioned to introduce it’s first-ever SUV at this year’s NYIAS. Levante’s unique blend of design, exclusivity and performance in its class are uniquely representative of the house of the Trident’s core values. Only the Levante harmoniously combines form and function to create a vehicle that is both 100% Maserati and 100% SUV. Like the warm Mediterranean wind for which it is named, Levante charges down every road—and never dares to look back.
“With total commitment and determination to deliver the best and once again the ‘absolute opposite of ordinary’, we present this genuine new member of the Maserati family – Levante, like nothing else out there” stated Harald J. Wester, CEO of Maserati at the North American debut.
Levante is the start of a crucial chapter for the Maserati brand as the global luxury market is constantly evolving, specifically within its flourishing SUV segment. The Levante is a testament to Maserati’s ability to meet those fluctuating needs. This important milestone effectively completes the brand’s comprehensive range of models and firmly places the the Trident is on a path towards the future.
A genuine ‘Made in Italy’ product, the new Levante is produced at the Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy. It is designed to offer outstanding on and off road performance capabilities with leading comfort, exclusive Italian style, high-tech features and exceptional all weather handling even on snow and ice. It boasts Skyhook adaptive dampers coupled with an exclusive and sophisticated adaptive air suspension system that is standard on all versions. This sophisticated suspension – double- wishbone on the front axle and multi-link on the rear, combined with Skyhook electronically controlled damping, four corner air-springs providing 5 dynamic ride levels (plus one additional park-position), plays an essential role in the car’s handling offering pure emotions in on-road conditions and superb handling in off-road environments.
With the lowest center of gravity in its class, Levante is perfectly balanced weight distribution (50- 50) between front and rear, high levels of dynamic torsional and flexional stiffness, and a mechanical self-locking rear differential as standard, when driven on-road, the Levante delivers all the performance and emotion typical of every Maserati.
Powered by a 3.0 liter V6 Twin-Turbo gasoline engine built by Ferrari, Levante’s potent engines offer either 345 hp (Levante) or 424 hp (Levante S). All engines are combined with the “Q4” intelligent all-wheel drive system, which can transfer torque between the axles instantaneously when required – and an 8-speed automatic gearbox, with integrated Start&Stop System. Levante S (424 hp) covers 0-60 mph in 5.0 seconds and achieves a top speed of 164 mph. The Levante (345hp) accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.8 seconds with a top speed of 156 mph.
Both versions of the Maserati Levante adopt the eight-speed automatic ZF gearbox that provides seamless comfort and fast gear shifting, depending on the selected drive mode. The Levante driver can choose between four drive modes, “normal”, “I.C.E.,” “sport” and “off-road”. Each one constitutes a distinct car character, intelligently altering engine, transmission, suspension and electronics features.
