Power Meet Luxury, Heritage Meet Future
If you want to enter the new decade in style, Maserati has a couple of important options for you to consider.
Back in 2016, Maserati gave the world a luxury SUV in the beautiful form of the Levante. And now, just in time to really kick 2020 off in style, they are back with two powerful new Levante models. The Maserati Levante GTS and the top-of-the-line Maserati Levante Trofeo.
The Levante GTS is equipped with one of the most powerful engines ever fitted in a Maserati. The 3.8-litre Twin Turbo V8 engine is a re-engineered, upgraded version of the power unit fitted in the flagship Quattroporte GTS, delivering 550 CV (405 kW) at 6,250 rpm and 730 Nm peak torque at 2,500 – 5,000 rpm. Like any other petrol Maserati engine, this V8 has been developed by Maserati Powertrain in cooperation with Ferrari and is manufactured in its state-of-the art factory of Maranello.
The powerhouse is one thing, but everything from suspension to handling has been developed and tested over a range of conditions and around the world, ranging from the proving grounds of Balocco, Nardò and Barcelona, to the twisty, desert or icy roads of Sierra Nevada, South Africa, Arizona and Lapland. The long-term testing activities covered extreme environments and climates ranging from -35°C to well over 40°C.
Of course, with anything Italian, style is an important factor. The Levante GTS is the benefactor of the Levante genes, but also has some elegant restyling.
The elegant restyling was mainly focused on the lower front fascia and the rear bumper. The side air intakes in the lower fascia feature a new, more aggressive design, defined by two aerodynamic wings that give a sense of further stability, visually “pushing” the weight of the car’s nose towards the massive front wheels. The characteristic side bezel blades and the lower splitter help improve the airflow distribution.
The rear end also looks wider and more muscular with a sharper horizontal element and a body coloured lower extractor embracing the oval quad exhaust tips.
In detail, the Levante GTS features a chromed front grille with double vertical bars and chromed perimeter, lower honeycomb mesh fascia, body coloured door handles and rear spoiler and performance, painted red brake calipers.
The lower front splitter and the rear extractor are also body coloured. Combined with Black Piano inserts in the front and the rear bumper provide the Levante GTS with a subtly sporty look. The specific V8 version is also distinguished for the GTS rear badge.
The new Levante GTS is available with Full Matrix LED headlights as optional equipment. Compared to the standard Bi-Xenon headlamps, LED technology offers 20% better visibility, 32% cooler light and double life expectancy.
The full Matrix LED headlights utilise a digital camera mounted behind the rear view mirror that supports the Glare-free High Beam detection system, allowing the driver to keep the high beam on without dazzling oncoming drivers. The system is able to create a shade in correspondence of other vehicles switching dynamically on and off the LED matrixes. The full Matrix LED headlights can create up to four light tunnels simultaneously with each tunnel as large as the obstacle.
If you want your powerful luxury SUVs with a bit more power to them, might we suggest the Levante Trofeo.
Thanks to its remarkable weight / power ratio of 3.6 kg/hp, the Levante Trofeo needs only 3.9 seconds to reach 100 km/h. This supercar performance comes from its 3.8-litre V8 power unit which delivers 590hp (441kW) at 6,250 rpm and 730 Nm peak torque at 2,500 – 5,000 rpm. This power is further harnessed with Corsa mode which gives faster throttle response, quicker shifting and automatic upshifting deactivation. The MC Launch Control electronic aid also assists in rapid acceleration from a standing start.
The stunning Levante design has reached new levels of sportiness in this top of the line version. Inside, the Levante Trofeo features Pieno Fiore natural leather sport seats to help give the cabin an extremely sportive look, together with a refined luxury feeling. Outside, the elegant restyling was mainly focused on the lower front fascia and the rear bumper and is underlined by carbon fibre design cues and optional 22-inch forged aluminium wheels. The new ultra-sport tyre has substantially contributed to achieving the balanced handling and outstanding cornering performance of the most powerful Maserati in production today.
The range starts from $140,000 + ORC; Levante GTS from $242,000 + ORC; Levante Trofeo from $297,000 + ORC.
