Maserati Levante – full details of brand’s first-ever SUV

After a visual introduction to its first-ever SUV, Maserati has released a plethora of details of the Levante at the ongoing Geneva Motor Show. In case you’re wondering, the name Levante is inspired by a warm, Mediterranean wind that can change from mild to gale force in an instant, “mirroring the character of the first Maserati SUV.”

Starting with the exterior, the Levante incorporates the Maserati DNA with several design cues related to historical models. For instance, the concave grille is a homage to the Tipo 60 Birdcage, and is flanked by bi-xenon headlamps with LED DRLs (optional AFS). Other signature details here include the three-hole air vents on the car’s wings and the “Saetta” logo on the C-pillar, first seen on the Quattroporte.

The car’s profile reveals a raked roofline that leads up to a tapered rear window, along with the characteristic Maserati rear pillar. As you can tell, the car does appear to have a very sleek outlook, a result of aerodynamic testing resulting in a drag coefficient of 0.31. Wheel options here start from 18-inch to 21-inch options.

From this angle, the Levante’s length of 5,003 mm becomes very apparent, although it is just shy of the Bentley Bentayga’s 5,141 mm. However, the Levante has a longer wheelbase of 3,004 mm. Other measurements here include a width of 1,968 mm, height of 1,679 mm, front track of 1,624 mm and rear track of 1,676 mm.

Beneath the bodywork, the Levante rides on a steel and aluminium chassis featuring a front double wishbone and rear five-link suspension setup. Maserati boasts a 50:50 weight distribution for the SUV and air suspension as standard with five different height levels to assist in ingress and egress from the vehicle. Adaptive dampers dubbed ‘Skyhook’ are also featured here, with several driving modes offered – Normal, Sport, Off-Road and I.C.E.

The Levante’s interior follows the familiar layout seen on other Maserati models like the Ghibli. Leather upholstery can be found on the seats, dashboard and various trim pieces. A total of 28 interior colour combinations are available for customers to choose from.

Standard equipment here include an 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment system, eight-speaker system, cruise control, Hill Descent Control, dual zone climate system, wipers with rain sensor, keyless entry (front doors), powered tailgate and electric-powered seats (heated and ventilated).

For even more customisation, several visual packs – Sport, Luxury and Zegna Edition – can be added, which not only enhance the interior features, but also add to the exterior visuals as well. Items include a Harman Kardon audio system, red brake calipers and more.

On the powertrain front, three engine options are offered. The first is a sole turbodiesel V6 on the Levante Diesel, displacing 3.0 litres while providing 275 hp at 4,000 rpm and 600 Nm at 2,000 to 2,600 rpm. The diesel-powered model has a fuel consumption (NEDC) rating of 7.2 l/100 km.

Petrol options start with a 3.0 litre twin-turbo V6 rated at 350 hp at 5,750 rpm and 500 Nm at 4,500 to 5,000 rpm. A more powerful version of the engine on the Levante S provides 430 hp at 5,750 rpm and 580 Nm at 4,500 to 5,000 rpm. Fuel consumption for the petrol mills are rated at 10.7 and 10.9 l/100 km, respectively.

All three engines are mated to a ZF AT8-HP70 eight-speed automatic gearbox with a Q4 all-wheel drive system and rear limited slip differential. In terms of performance, the Levante S leads the charge, with a century sprint time of 5.2 seconds. The non-S Levante and diesel version accomplishes the same in 6.0 and 6.9 seconds, respectively.

Safety and driving assistance include Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Blind Spot Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Rear View & Surround View Camera, Park Assist, and Torque Vectoring.

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