Maserati Levante driving report

A hen Porsche launched the Cayenne, there were also questions supposed insider what this big car should be in a sports car manufacturer's range. As we know today, the Cayenne Porsche has led into golden times that continue to this day. Because SUVs have boomed and are booming all over the world, and the clientele is ready to dig deeper than usual for this type of car.

Maserati Levante with purchase price from 70,500 euros

Now, Maserati on the SUV wave. The SUV is just over five meters long and is called Levante. In May, the SUV with the large radiator grille and flat headlights will be launched in Germany as the Maserati S with a 430 hp V6 turbo gasoline engine, followed in July by the diesel with 275 hp. It will be available at prices from 70,500 euros, while the petrol engine will not be available for less than 88,000 euros.

Not all option prices have yet been calculated, but the Levante not really poor therefore. Leather seats are just as standard as a navigation system or air suspension with adaptive dampers. In other markets there is also a 350 hp petrol engine and a diesel with 250 hp especially for Italy, but in Germany the two power versions remain for the time being. A hybrid version is planned for 2018.

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Levante: The new SUV from Maserati.

Maserati Levante always with eight-speed automatic

For getting to know each other we chose the gasoline engine, whose three-liter V6 compared to the Ghibli from 410430 hp increased. The power is brought to the rear wheels by a fast and smooth eight-speed automatic converter; if necessary, an electronically controlled clutch creates the frictional connection to the front axle, whereby the forces can flow back and forth very freely. Of course, the driver can also choose from various driving modes from his large, non-screwed seat. These include, of course, an efficiency mode, an off-road mode with two different levels up to 210 millimeters of ground clearance and a sport mode.

In the first stage, it sharpens the transmission and engine electronics, which is later shifted up and down earlier downshift expresses. In a second stage, the dampers tighten, which takes away some of the smoothness of the suspension comfort, which is not brilliant on small bumps.

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2.1 tons in 5.2 seconds to 100 km /h.

Maserati Levante with a great engine sound

Now the Levante, which also has plenty of space for adult passengers in the back, stumbles across the parquet on a rather stiff leg, but it makes up for it: With powerful, A fine-nerved acceleration at any speed, for example, and even in the first sport level with a thunderstorm of sound that will make the Levante a friend of audiophiles. What's going on in the regions around 3,000 and beyond the 4,000 revolutions sounds as entertaining and slightly dirty as a skillfully drawn trumpet. And the Levante S goes as it sounds: Maserati promises a top speed of 264 km /h and 5.2 seconds from zero to 100. These values ​​sound plausible, the NEDC consumption of 10.9 liters rather not.

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The Maserati Levante also has fun off-road.

Pleasing is that the Levante is a quiet touring car in normal mode. Despite the frameless side windows, wind noises are barely audible, and when the exhaust flap is closed, the engine holds back for long journeys. A stylish, quiet family car with a trunk volume of 580 liters, which is also suitable for longer vacations.

Maserati Levante with agile driving behavior

When the roads become winding, the driver in particular gets their money's worth. The fact that the Levante weighs a good 2.1 tonnes is forgotten after the first sharp turn. It is amazing how agile this chunk follows the pleasantly sensual steering and whistles around the corners without braking understeer. A driver's car that makes it easy to forget how brave it is off-road. This was demonstrated by a trip to the Fiat-Chrysler off-road slopes in Balocco, Italy, where many a Jeep can be pushed to its limits.

A pleasant new addition to the classy SUV, which, however, has some peculiarities have to look. As beautiful as the cockpit is to look at, Maserati neglected some of the findings of everyday driving. It is simply impractical to be able to regulate seat heating or ventilation only via the touchscreen or to have to go into submenus to activate the driver assistance systems. For most competitors, a quick press on the classic button is sufficient. Still, the Levant came late. But it was worth the wait.