Maserati Levante 2016 review and Price

This is a long-promised Maserati SUV, the model was first shown the intention to establish long with 2003 Kubang concept, a handsome crossover powered V8 designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The car was never made, but in 2011 another launch Maserati Kubang, this version is based on mechanical Jeep and promised for early 2014. In the event, it has taken five years rather than the three to realize this car, and it was (wisely) based on the Maserati rather than hardware Jeep. It is also produced in Italy than the United States, as initially mooted, in portions big reassembled Fiat Mirafiori plant in Turin.

Arrive in time for a flurry of SUV of the brand possible, including Bentayga Bentley, Jaguar F-Pace and budget MG GS. It is aimed at the Porsche Cayenne (grand-daddy of the SUV from unlikely sources) as both a sales and a dynamic targets. So it was great, but it does not look it, and expensive, but not as expensive as you would expect from a car of a blue-blooded brand. British launch price is expected to be less than £ 55,000, pitching 271 bhp diesel V6 in the Cayenne V6 258bhp diesel and 380bhp diesel V8 Cayenne. It was cheaper than all versions of the Range Rover Sport, the most of GLE Mercedes and Volvo XC90 range, if not the Audi Q7.

Although the specifications of the UK market Levante have yet to be determined, essentially mechanical make-up is impressive for including self-leveling, height-adjustable air springs and electronic dampers, a torque vectoring, a limited-slip rear differential and hybrid materials bodyshell. Despite carrying the extra opening for the tailgate of his body Levante is 20% more rigid than Ghibli in recognition of the need to go off-road.

Advanced understructure and the front suspension towers are aluminum, such as the bonnet, doors and tailgate portion while magnesium is used for cross-car beam. diesel which weighs in at 2205kg, however - more than 2009kg of steel-bodied Volvo XC90 D5 and aluminum-shelled 2115kg Range Rover Sport TDV6, if not aluminum 2245kg Audi Q7.

Only 271bhp diesel VM Motori V6 will be offered in the UK; This is an update of engines are offered in the Ghibli and Quattroporte, but other markets will get two twin turbo petrol V6s 345bhp and 424bhp.

How does it feel?:

This is an unusual car to continuously monitor the location of the center of gravity, which in addition to shifting the move was also modified by the presence of occupants, trunk and roof rack. Program manager Levante Federico Landini says it takes no more than turn to the left and right wheels for the car to determine the load it carries and what not to its center of gravity, the result makes it possible to continuously adjust air eyes and electronic dampers accordingly.

This is one reason why Landini confidently claimed that Levante understeers less than its competitors, and wields a graph to prove it. Further aids include bend-killed weight distribution of 51:49 front-rear, and driveline division 90% of torque to the rear axle V6 by default. It can be adjusted only within 150 milliseconds, this shiftings continuously visible on the graph attractive instrument cluster.

On the track, the spread of these weapons is quite impressive cornering control on diesel and petrol V6 424bhp ship not far from spectacular. Longer. For all versions, Maserati goal is to make it easy to drive fast Levante, unintimidating and viceless. And on a more demanding, a long series of tests at Balocco FCA was all these things and more, at least in the dry. The Levante grip, body control, a willingness to surrender and willingness to change direction mid-corner soon have you forgetting that you're riding high aboard an SUV. In contrast, Levante feels like a giant, well-mannered, rear-drive hot hatch.

You can provoke understeer course. In a tight, slick Balocco wide bend began to walk, and if you have ESP off it will judder wider still, but throttling off has a neat crept to the top of this bend, the track is restored. Through the curve Maserati is invigoratingly quickly and satisfactorily accurate, your speed increases with the discovery that you can cut the line with a throttle, powerful brakes allow the departure impressive post-fast corners. Maserati claims between 62mph-to-0mph shortest stopping distances in the class, incidentally. pretty slick gearbox with ratio selection to eighth speed-shoot with a smile flickering rev-blending. ragingly diesel is certainly not fast, but fast enough to carry a badge.

The most powerful petrol V6 feels, and sounds, more attractive. It fills your ears with the orchestra cultured push, push Levante is much more difficult and without revealing the significant dynamic cracks. Change-in a little more slowly, but there is a bit of understeer and a lot more than physical sensations electrifying you would expect from a Maserati. the logic of the market shows demand for small UK-point for this model, but it is undoubtedly the most exciting realization of Levante, even if it is more stiff-legged than diesel on the way the real world. diesel quite firmly damped, but acceptable clay.

Off-road? Sounds impossible in a Maserati, but Levante have the tools to adventure without shame, aided by adjustable ride height, hill-descent control, bags of torque - and the means to effectively divide it. wheel travel is longer than that offered by brother sedan, an impressively powerful body structure and several off-road mode complete the toolkit. Levante cabin furnishings will be more easily enjoyed by most owners.

Which as you would expect luxury, if not luxurious like some Maseratis past. striking features including doors frameless (although glasses front door could come perilously close to your face when the hostel), a dashboard, leather refined elegance, the infotainment system is more convincing than that found in salons Maserati and high altitude driving position completely different for the previous bearer of the trident. Mercedes owners will be familiar with one control stalk indicators, wipers and main beam, the space immediately behind the steering wheel is dominated by a pair of classy alloy paddles are quite large.

Practicality has never been a major consideration for Maserati, but it is the main reason for the SUV into. Levante score with plenty of space in front of a long, if not especially, in the boot and seats easily folded. rear comfort reasonable though limited leg room, while the average oddments storage.

Should I buy one?:

If you want a big SUV, aristocratic, quite practical and fast with superb handling, you should shortlist a Levante. It's also refreshingly different, surprising value given the pedigree and fully capable off-road.

It's missing some developing electronic and infotainment latest (self-parking, giant-size screen infotainment) and the gasoline version is more complete realization of the Maserati SUV. This diesel will not win a lot of CO2 emissions a face-off, either, but eventually Levante is a handsome SUV drivers - and passengers - will enjoy.