Italian luxury car manufacturer Maserati introduced the Levante at the Geneva International Motor Show. Named after a warm Mediterranean wind, the Levante is the first SUV from Maserati. The Levante will be an addition to the current line-up of Maserati models that include the Quattroporte, the Ghibli, the, the GranTurismo and the GranCabrio.
The Levante is based on the platform seen on the Ghibli as well as the Quattroporte. According to the company, the Levante has the best in class drag co-efficient of 0.31. Suspension duties are taken care of by a double-wishbone for the front axle and a multi link for the rear combined with electronically controlled damping, four corner air-springs providing 5 dynamic ride levels. The company also claims that the Levante has a perfect balanaced weight distribution (50-50) between the front and rear.
Aesthetically, the Levante receives the trademark Maserati grille with vertically positioned chrome slats flanked by the headlights that receive LED DRLs and a projector headlamp. Sitting beneath these headlamps are the circular fog lamps on the front fascia. On either side are the Maserati logos right behind the C-pillar while the door handles are wrapped in chrome. At the posterior, the design of the Levante maintains a clean look while the tail lights seem to have taken inspiration from the Ghibli. Also seen is the body coloured roof spoiler and dual tip exhausts on both the sides.
Coming to the interiors, the Levante receives leather seats, panoramic sunroof, an 8.4 inch touch-screen infotainment system, adaptive cruise control, hill descent control, forward collision warning, climate control, lane departure warning blind spot alert, alloy wheels, a surround view camera and a powerlift tailgate. Customers can also opt for the Luxury or Sport packages that can give them the opportunity to customize their Levante on the outside as well as the inside.
Powering the Levante will be one 3.0 litre engine each for petrol as well as diesel with the former coming in two states of tune. The petrol engine will come in 2 states of tune- the first state of tune delivers 350 hp and 500 Nm of torque while sprinting from 0-100 kmph in 6 seconds whereas the second state of tune produces 430 hp and 580 Nm of torque and covers naught to 100 kmph in 5.2 seconds. The diesel engine produces a power output of 275 hp and 600 Nm of torque and can go from 0-100 kmph in 6.9 seconds. Irrespective of the engine choice, the transmission duties will be performed by an eight speed automatic gearbox and an all wheel drive.
The Maserati Levante will arrive at Indian shores next year after it is launched first in Europe and then the rest of the countries. Initially, the 3.0 litre diesel powered Levante will be introduced in India while there is no official word on when the petrol powered Levante’s would arrive.
Following is the image gallery for the Maserati Levante:
