1 - Lincs Pride FEB 187.qxp 14/12/2017 12:32 Page 123
Fortunate favours the bold, according to proverb. Still, there’s bold, then there’s downright audacious. Take Maserati, for example. Established in 1914 in Bologna, the company produced between 1,500 and 9,000 cars per year between 1999 and 2012. Most commonly these were sleek GTs and a handful of Quattroporte sports saloons. From 2013 to 2015 though, it really upped its ante, producing 36,000, 32,000 and 42,000 cars. Not only is the brand hoping to become more of a mainstream manufacturer, it’s also hoping to steal sales from Range Rover, Audi, BMW and Mercedes in the executive SUV market.
This, then, is the new Levante. It debuted in the UK in summer 2016, but this is a new version. It’s beautiful, and it has four doors and four wheel drive too... and Maserati hopes it’ll usher in a new era as a mainstream car. Prices are between £56,000 and £77,000, putting it firmly in Range Rover Velar/Sport territory.
“The Levante’s key selling point is that it’s simply something different, something more unusual and a bit more glamorous...”
There’s a choice of 3.0 litre V6 diesel or ‘S’ badged V6 petrol in base, GrandLusso or GrandSport trim. Air suspension, all wheel drive and an automatic gearbox are standard, there are adaptive dampers and a limited slip differential. All that means the car will handle well on-road, and though you’re unlikely to throw a Levante around a green lane, it’ll at least also handle 2,700kg towing and the odd muddy verge. Driving off-road isn’t really the point of a Levante though; style and luxury is, and my word, does the car deliver! Choose between five types of wood trim or the ubiquitous carbon fibre option for the dash, enjoy hide with contrast stitching or Zegna silk leather; it’s all beautiful and tactile, like a fine Italian wool suit. It’s all laid out well inside too, with sound ergonomics and modern switchgear.
The car has a swooping bonnet, audacious details like the triple air intakes on its flanks, and a sporting rear end not dissimilar to a Porsche Cayenne. In base form it will also perform as a sporty SUV should, reaching 60mph in 6.9 seconds and 143mph on a track.
MASERATI LEVANTE Price: £56,250. Engine: 3.0V6 diesel 275hp. Drivetrain: Eight speed automatic with four wheel drive. Performance: 0-60mph 6.9 seconds; 143mph top speed. Economy: 39.2mpg combined. Equipment: Leather seats, climate, cruise, navigation. Optional: Adaptive cruise, 360/reversing camera, Bowers & Wilkin hi-fi, heated seats, panoramic roof, heated steering wheel, ventilated seats. n
Whatever else you can praise the Levante for though, its key selling point is that it’s simply something different, something more unusual and a bit more glamorous. Evoking Italian style and cutting an unusual dash, it’s an SUV with more than its fair share of dolce vita... n
123