If you're looking for luxury, high performance, and more wrapped up in a nice SUV package it has arrived at your Canadian Maserati dealers. The Levante - The Maserati of SUVs is now in showrooms in Canada.
It's the first SUV to bear the mark of the Trident, and it is taking Maserati down new roads by opening a new market segment for the luxury automaker.
The Canadian MSRP is $88,900, or for the more upscale Levante S Model $98,600.
Levante was chosen as the name because it describes a warm Mediterranean wind, fitting the vehicle's character.
The Levante is being assembled in Italy at the Mirafirori plant in Turin. It is designed to offer on and off road capabilities, with exceptional interior comfort. It offers engineering to enhance all weather handling even on snow and ice. It has double wishbone suspension up front, and multi link on the rear, along with four corner air springs, and five dynamic ride levels. It has the lowest centre of gravity in its class.
The gasoline Maserati V6 engine with latest GDI (Gasoline Direct Injection) and twin turbo-chargers is available in two versions with different horsepower: the top of the range,Levante S, delivers 424 hp (316 kW) while the Levante delivers 345 hp (257 kW). The most powerful Levante sprints to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds and has a top speed of 264 km/h (164 mph)—best in segment—while the figures for the 345 hp version are 5.9 seconds and 251 km/h (156 mph), respectively.
All engines are combined with the “Q4” intelligent all-wheel drive system, which can transfer torque between the axles instantaneously when required - and an 8-speed automatic gearbox, with integrated Start&Stop System.
The spaciousness of the interior, enhanced by the available panoramic electric sunroof, is combined with coupé-sleek external lines and the best aerodynamic efficiency in its category with a Cx coefficient of just 0.31.
Both versions of the Maserati Levante adopt the eight-speed automatic ZF gearbox.
The Levante has entered the SUV segment with a marked advantage in terms of new content. A new human-machine interface (HMI), an evolution of the Maserati Touch Control system, has been completely updated for ease and convenience while driving, and includes capacitive 8.4" Touch Screen display with a brand new rotary control.
Innovative new features of the car include: optional Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go function; optional Forward Collision Warning and Brake Assist System; optional Lane Departure Warning; optional Surround View camera; standard capacitive 8.4-inch Touch Screen display with brand new rotary control. Plus the standard AHA radio function, an addition to the Maserati Touch Control Plus that extends the AM, FM and digital radio with a network-connection option; the AHA function dialogues with the user's network-connected mobile device to give access to on-line services (radio stations, programs, etc.) while on the move.
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.
The Levante can also be equipped with the optional and highly exclusive Zegna Luxury Package that combines premium Italian leather with bespoke silk from Ermenegildo Zegna, made in Trivero by the Zegna wool mill with a patented process. The Zegna Luxury Package is an upgrade of the Full Leather option and is available only as an option within the Luxury Package. Three different color combinations of leather/silk and contrasting stitching in tan, red or black distinguish the interiors.
The luggage compartment of the Levante has been designed to provide a large and versatile load space of 19.4 cu. ft. With its regular shape, it can easily accommodate large luggage items. There is a 12-volt power socket in the luggage area plus three more sockets in the cabin.
The standard power tailgate opens and closes automatically without anyone having to physically lift it up or pull it down. The system has a special anti-pitching function that immediately stops the closing procedure when an obstacle is detected. The power tailgate system can be activated by the buttons on the tailgate, by the car’s key fob and by a button on the dome light panel. It can also be operated by using the optional kick sensor.
The standard equipment, apart from the aforementioned features, also includes: leather upholstery (upgraded for the Levante S); Maserati 8.4-inch Touch Screen with Navigation; Base Audio System with 8 speakers; cruise control; Hill Descent Control; dual-zone climate system; wipers with rain sensor; keyless entry (all doors); and keyless start and electro-chromatic interior and exterior mirrors. Another standard feature is the easy entry & exit system that facilitates the driver’s movements by automatically retracting the seat backwards and the steering column upwards. This is standard along with the electrical adjustable steering wheel. HomeLink® is a standard remote-control device integrated in the dome lighting unit in the ceiling above the dashboard. It can automatically operate garage doors, gates, or security lighting systems as the car approaches. HomeLink® can be programmed to operate up to three automatic systems, which is ideal for customers with more than one property. The Levante also comes standard with double laminated acoustic glass for the windshield, front and rear windows that reduce external noise and guarantee excellent temperature stability. For total privacy, the rear door windows and the fifth door window come standard with double laminated acoustic and darkened glass. The glove box lock is standard and can be activated and deactivated via the Maserati Touch Control Plus Screen using a four-digit PIN. All Levante models are also equipped with remote start which turns on the engine, along with the climate-control function, raising the comfort level when the driver and passengers get in. Finally, Blind Spot Assist, with the integrated Rear Cross Path (RCP) function, and front/rear parking sensors are standard as well.