Alfardan Sports Motors, the official dealer of Ferrari and Maserati in Qatar, yesterday announced the launch of the new Levante, the Maserati of SUVs.
With the Levante a new wind is blowing through the SUV segment, guaranteeing the passion, the flair and the exclusivity that have distinguished all Maserati models for over a century.
The Maserati Levante is a turning point in Maserati’s history. The brand new model, which makes its World Premiere at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, enables the Trident to access the largest luxury segment in the world. The Levante significantly contributes to the creation of the most complete product line-up in Maserati’s history.
The Levante name was 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.
The Levante is based on the evolution of the sedan platform, designed exclusively by Maserati. The car chassis has been specifically developed to offer unique on-road drivability and competitive off-road capability, with day-to-day comfort and practicality. The top notch Italian SUV was conceived around three main pillars: Design, Exclusivity and Performance. It represents the optimum blend of these three elements in the SUV world.
The Levante’s design is distinctive and attractive, embracing the most valuable aesthetic elements of Italian style. A central asset, its design brings a new concept to the SUV world, combining spaciousness and coupé lines while achieving the best aerodynamic efficiency in its segment with a Cx coefficient of just 0.31.
Its exclusivity stems from technical features like Air Suspension and the Q4 AWD system, which come as standard equipment, and the high level of customisation that includes two cutting-edge packages, Sport and Luxury. The result is a driving experience that is as unique as the Maserati brand and its customers.
The thoroughbred on-road handling typical of all Maserati cars and solid off-road capabilities, as demanded in the SUV segment, describe the car’s overall dynamic. The Levante is here to excite any sports car driver counting on performance-oriented features, such as the extensive use of lightweight materials, ideal 50-50 percent weight distribution and its lowest in class centre of gravity. Features that deliver unparalleled agility in the luxury SUV class.
The aluminium “double wishbone - five link” suspension layout comprises standard Air Springs and electronically controlled Skyhook shock absorbers. In cooperation with the intelligent Q4 All-Wheel-Drive system and the newly introduced Torque Vectoring system which deliver GT on-road behaviour and surprising - for a Maserati - off-road capabilities: the Levante was designed to deliver best in class comfort on rough roads and handling on snow and ice.
On a par with this, the off-road equipment completes a product made to surprise avid travellers and adventure lovers as well. Engine-wise, the Levante is equipped with the latest evolution of the Maserati 3-litre V6 engines. The two versions of the twin-turbo petrol engine are globally acclaimed for their unique Maserati signature sound and for their exceptional performance. The petrol Maserati V6 engine with latest GDI and twin turbo is available in two versions with different horsepower: the top of the range 430 hp and the exciting 350 hp.
The most powerful Levante makes it to 100 km/h in 5.2” and has a top speed of 264 km/h, while the figures for the 350 hp version are 6.0” and 251 km/h respectively. Both petrol 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”, ICE, “Sport” and “Off-road”.
