Tag Archives: Levante
Maserati Levante Will Have A Plug-In Version
The Maserati Levante will make its debut at the 2016 New York Auto Show, but its CEO already confirmed during the Geneva Motor Show last week that the SUV—marking Maserati’s first foray into SUVs—will also come in a plug-in hybrid variant.
According to Motor Authority, the plug-in hybrid powertrain will be sourced from the Chrysler Pacifica, both of which are cousins within the Fiat-Chrysler Automobiles umbrella. The Pacifica, already getting ready for its consumer launch, boasts of the company’s latest hybrid tech.
At this point, it’s pure speculation whatever part of that plug-in hybrid technology will be found under the Levante’s hood. The Levante bound for the United States will be available with a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 in either 345- or 424-horsepower tunes.
Levante has competitions from all over Germany in terms of plug-in hybrids, but its CEO Harald Wester suggested that this powertrain will comprise only six percent of the total Levante production.
The Levante, of course, would have to suffer some engineering stylistics because it would have to adapt the Pacifica’s hybrid tech. It rides on a Maserati platform and uses an engine not shared with Chrysler. What’s purely up in the air is how the Levante would perform on the road and in the real world. However, it surely promises fuel savings with plenty of power.
As we very well know, the Levante will come in gas-powered version too, which would probably produce more power than the hybrid variant since it’s using all fossil fuels for its engine. There’s no pricing yet, but expect it to be in the range of the Porsche Cayenne S.
The Levante, according to Wester, is for people who don’t want another Mercedes, Porsche, Audi, BMW or Lamborghini. It was created for those who want something different in an SUV, especially since it’s Italian and promises power coupled with efficiency.
2017 Maserati Levante SUV to Drop at Geneva Motor Show
When photos of the new 2017 Maserati Levante SUV leaked online ahead of the 2016 Geneva Motor Show next month, the Italian luxury brand has taken it upon itself to release the full series of photos of their new SUV.
The images only confirmed the leak that showed the Levante not having the same design as the Kubang concept from the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. The front features the brand’s corporate grille, cat’s eye headlights, large lower air intake, and portholes on the front fenders.
The rear has elements of the Porsche Cayenne and Alfa Romeo Giulia, so it’s like getting the rear aesthetics of three powerful SUVs all at once.
The Levante’s making use of the rear-wheel-drive architecture of the Ghibli and Quattoporte sedans. But in terms of length, it would be a notch closer to the Ghibli. It would also have an electronically controlled suspension with adjustable dampers and air springs. It has an eight-speed automatic transmission to power a four-wheel drive system.
There is no full specs yet, but it is expected that the Maserati Levante SUV will have the turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6. There might also be an option to power it with the Ferrari-sourced 3.8-liter V-8. The fastest model would probably be at 500 horsepower.
Maserati said the company would offer the option of a diesel engine although if you’re in the United States, you may not be able to get your hands on that one.
Europe will get firsthand experience of the Maserati Levante SUV this spring. As for those in the United States, you would all have to wait a little longer as it is expected to drop there later this year.
The Geneva Motor Show next month will have a preview of the Levante, so expect to get more information and details there about this new SUV.