Ahead of the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show, Italian car brand Maserati has revealed images of its upcoming Levante SUV. This is a first for the company as never in its more than 100 years of existence has the luxury marque, known for its sports cars, manufactured an SUV. The Levante will join the Ghibli, Quattroporte, GranTurismo and GranCabrio in Maserati's European portfolio by spring, followed by its introduction to the rest of the world.
Maserati Levante Front
Despite being an SUV rather than a tarmac-hugging sports car, the Maserati Levante doesn't look out of place whatsoever in the Italian carmakers line-up. The aggressively designed front fascia features a large grille flanked on either sides by slender head-lamp units, which sit in line with the grille's chrome finish upper lip. The circular fog lamps sit right below the head-lamps. The grille itself features spaced out vertical chrome lines bang in the middle of which proudly sits Maserati's famous Trident logo. The side profile bears Maserati's signature 3 part air vents on the front wings as well as the famous oval 'Saetta' logo on its trapezoidal C-pillar. The tapered rear end gives the car a sporty look typical of a performance SUV.
Maserati Levante Side
Unlike other Maserati's that are engineered to be sports cars, the Levante offers high performance drive dynamics with the added bonus of great off-roading abilities. The car comes equipped with sophisticated electronic suspension with controlled damping and adjustable air springs, Q4 Intelligent AWD system, and an 8-speed autobox calibrated exclusively for the Levante. The car will be available in both petrol and diesel guises. Petrol V6 and V8 engine options are likely to arrive boasting of power outputs that should range between 350bhp to 560bhp whereas the diesel engine tunes should offer power to the tune of 250bhp to 340bhp.
Maserati Levante Rear
Upon its launch, the Maserati Levante will compete against the likes of the Bentley Bentayga, Jaguar F-Pace and the popular Porsche Cayenne. The car will be manufactured at Maserati's famed Mirafiori plant in Turin. The first cars have already come of the assembly line in anticipation of its spring-2016 launch period in Europe.
