Levante - The 'Maserati Of SUVs' Makes Canadian Debut

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The highly anticipated release of Maserati’s first SUV to bear the mark of the Trident, the Levante, has opened up new roads for Maserati, propelling the luxury Italian automaker into the world’s largest and most competitive luxury auto segment.

Levante will breathe new life and dynamism into the automotive world and represents a wind of change both for Maserati and the luxury SUV market. From its sleek and sculpted exterior to its state-of-the-art vehicle dynamics, every aspect of the Levante is based on the strong foundation of Maserati’s rich and storied heritage.

The Canadian market launch is planned for late summer (September 2016) with a starting price MSRP $88,900 CAD for the Levante and MSRP $98,600 CAD for the Levante S model, which include four years of prepaid scheduled maintenance (MSRP does not include destination and delivery fees or taxes). Both models are now available at Maserati dealers across Canada. Please contact your local dealer to schedule a test drive or for more information.

Levante’s unique blend of design, exclusivity and performance in its class are uniquely representative of the house of the Trident’s core values. Only the Levante harmoniously combines form and function to create a vehicle that is both 100% Maserati and 100% SUV. Like the warm Mediterranean wind for which it is named, Levante charges down every road—and never dares to look back.

Levante is the start of a crucial chapter for the Maserati brand as the global luxury market is constantly evolving, specifically within the flourishing SUV segment. The Levante is a testament to Maserati’s ability to meet those fluctuating needs. This important milestone effectively completes the brand’s comprehensive range of models and firmly places the Trident on an upward path towards the future.

A genuine ‘Made in Italy’ product, the new Levante is produced at the Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy. It is designed to offer outstanding on and off road performance capabilities with leading comfort, exclusive Italian style, high-tech features and exceptional all weather handling even on snow and ice. It boasts standard Skyhook adaptive dampers coupled with an exclusive and sophisticated adaptive air suspension system. This sophisticated suspension - double-wishbone on the front axle and multi-link on the rear, combined with Skyhook electronically controlled damping and four corner air-springs which provide 5 dynamic ride levels (plus one additional park-position), plays an essential role in the car's handling offering dynamic performance in on-road conditions and superb handling in off-road environments.

With the lowest center of gravity in its class, Levante is also perfectly balanced with a (50-50) weight distribution between front and rear, high levels of dynamic torsional and flexional stiffness, and a mechanical self-locking rear differential as standard. When driven on-road, the Levante delivers the performance and emotion typical of every Maserati.

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 that provides seamless comfort and fast gear shifting, depending on the selected drive mode. The Levante driver can choose between four drive modes, “normal”, “I.C.E.,” “sport” and “off-road”. Each one constitutes a distinct car character, intelligently altering engine, transmission, suspension and electronics features.

Its exclusivity stems from technical features like air suspension and its Q4 intelligent all-wheel drive system, which come as standard equipment, and the high level of customization that includes two cutting-edge packages, Sport and Luxury. The result is a driving experience that is as unique as the Maserati brand and its customers.

The thoroughbred on-road handling typical of all Maserati cars and solid off-road capabilities, as demanded in the SUV segment, describe the car’s overall dynamic. The Levante is here to excite any sports car driver counting on performance-oriented features, such as the extensive use of lightweight materials, ideal 50:50 weight distribution and its lowest-in-class center of gravity. These features deliver unparalleled agility in the luxury SUV class.

The aluminum “double-wishbone front / five-link rear” suspension layout comprises standard air springs and electronically controlled Skyhook shock absorbers. In cooperation with the Q4 intelligent all-wheel drive system and the newly introduced Torque Vectoring system that deliver GT-like on-road behaviour and surprising—for a Maserati—off-road capabilities: The Levante was designed to deliver best-in-class comfort on rough roads and superb handling on snow and ice.

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.

Maserati’s 100-year tradition of craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology guarantees outstanding quality right down to tiniest details.

Two extended feature packages will be available: Luxury Package and Sport Package. Each includes a variety of options and stylistic enhancements to further personalize the exterior and interiors of the new Levante.

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 colour 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.

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