THE LEVANTE HAS LANDED!

Already acclaimed as one of the most anticipated new arrivals for 2017, the Maserati Levante has arrived in Australia with the all-new SUV now in Maserati dealerships across Australia and in the hands of the lucky first owners.

“The Levante will take Australians to places that have never previously seen a Maserati and doing things previously unthinkable for a car wearing the legendary Trident badge, thanks to its unique four wheel drive system and suspension as well as its flexible and versatility body,” says Glen Sealey, Chief Operating Officer of Maserati Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. “But wherever the Levante takes its new Australian owners, they will be travelling like all previous Maserati owners with superlative style, performance, handling and road holding combined with unique levels of personalization and exclusivity. This ensures that, first and foremost, whether it is in the city or out in the bush, on a race track or a dirt track, the Levante is, heart and soul, a true Maserati.”

Interest in the Levante exploded when the covers came off the car at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show and has not abated in the following months, leading to the Levante arriving in Australia with an unprecedented number of advance orders for a new Maserati. With more than 200 confirmed orders already in its account, the Levante is well on the way to becoming Maserati’s bestselling model in Australia and it is set to also break the record set by the Ghibli as the fastest selling new Maserati to enter the Australian market.

In anticipation of its arrival, Maserati has undertaken a major upgrade of its national dealer network, with new dealerships opening in Sydney and Melbourne and all existing Maserati dealers substantially expanding and improving their facilities to ensure that the growing family of Maserati owners enjoy the same exclusive, personal customer service enjoyed by the existing owners.

The Levante arrives in Australia in three versions, all powered by a 202 kW Turbo Diesel Engine, driving through an eight speed automatic gearbox to the Maserati Q4 intelligent four wheel drive system which, when allied to the standard Skyhook adjustable air suspension with a total ride range of eight centimeters and five different drive modes, enables the Levante to maintain Maserati’s reputation for on road ability and, at the same time, give the Levante level a of off road ability that has not been previously offered by Maserati.

“This remarkable range of abilities and attributes for a Maserati is very accessible,” says Mr Sealey. “With Levante arriving in Australia with a recommended retail price of $139,990 plus statutory costs, delivery and dealer costs, it delivers the unique and exclusive experience of Maserati ownership that will ensure that it becomes a key part of the Maserati range and will expand Maserati’s unique reputation.”

The Maserati Levante enters the Australian market in three versions, the Levante Turbo Diesel at $139,990 plus statutory costs, delivery and dealer costs and two differently focused variants, the Levante Sport and the Levante Luxury, both priced at $159,990 plus statutory costs, delivery and dealer costs. The new model is on sale in Maserati dealers with the first deliveries now on the road.

The Maserati Levante is a pivotal moment in Maserati’s history and will play a central role in driving Maserati into its second century.

The brand new model enables the Trident to access what is both the largest luxury segment in the world and the fastest growing. Joining the Quattroporte, Ghibli and the Maserati sports cars, the Levante significantly contributes to the creation of the most complete product line-up in Maserati’s 103 year history.

The Levante name was inspired by the 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 Ghibli and Quattroporte 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. This supreme 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 distinctive and attractive design embraces 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 customization that includes packages, Sport and Luxury, as well as a host of additional personalization options. 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, combine to produce the car’s overall dynamic character. The Levante has the ability to excite every sports car driver counting on performance-oriented features, such as the extensive use of lightweight materials, ideal 50-50% 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 delivers 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 common-rail, direct injection turbodiesel V6 with reduced dwell time injectors. The 3.0 litre engine is capable of 202 kW and delivers 0-100 kmh in 6.9 seconds and a 230 kmh maximum speed while keeping the fuel economy as low as 7.2 litres/100 km under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). This class of engine accounts for more than 80 per cent of the SUVs sold at the top end of the Australian market, giving Maserati full access to this prime sector.

The Maserati Levante uses an 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”, I.C.E., “Sport” and “Off-road”. Each one constitutes a distinct car character intelligently altering engine, transmission, suspension and electronics features.

The Levante introduces several innovations to the current Maserati line-up; from safety to convenience options and through to the brand new Human Machine Interface and the dedicated cargo solutions. The range of equipment options is wider and more complete than ever.

The Levante has also entered the SUV segment with a marked advantage in terms of new content. The innovative features of the car include the availability of Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Forward Collision Warning and Brake Assist System, Lane Departure Warning, Surround View camera, 8.4"/20 cm Touch Screen display with brand new rotary control, an addition to the Maserati Touch Control Plus as well as Apple CarPlay and Android control software.

A new state-of-the-art production line was set up exclusively for the Levante in the historic Mirafiori plant, where high quality standards in every area, from design to development and from process controls to fabrication, are applied in full.

Maserati’s 103-year tradition of craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology guarantees outstanding quality right down to the tiniest of details.

Maserati Levante Highlights include:

• Based on the evolution of the Maserati sedan platform
• Levante name inspired by a warm Mediterranean wind
• Manufactured on an all-new production line at the Mirafiori factory
• Coupé style SUV with best in class interior space
• Cx = 0.31, best in class aerodynamic coefficient
• 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel engine with 202 kW
• Fuel economy as low as 7.2 litres/100 km
• Extensive use of aluminium in chassis, body and suspension
• Ideal 50:50 weight distribution
• 100 per cent of torque to the rear axle in normal conditions for optimum handling
• 150 millseconds to move torque to the wheels with most grip in tough conditions
• Lowest centre of gravity in SUV class
• Intelligent Q4 AWD system with standard Torque Vectoring
• Maserati Stability Program developed for on-road and off-road use
• Double wishbone front and five-link rear suspension
• Standard Air Spring Suspension with 4 ride height levels (plus normal ride height and parking height levels)
• Electronically controlled Skyhook shock absorbers
• New Human Machine Interface with 8.4” Touch Screen
• Sumptuous leather interior as standard
• Sport and Luxury specific packages offered from launch

Back

More Articles

Share Article