Maserati will launch the Levante SUV for the Indian market towards the end of the year. Ahead of its local debut, we have found that the car will be offered here across three variants andacross two engine options.
Before we get into the variants, here are the engine options.
The diesel is VM Moteri built 3.0-litre V6 that produces 250bhp/600Nm with power going to all four wheels via an AWD system and an eight-speed AT. The petrol too is a 3.0-litre V6 but can be had either in the 257kw/500Nm (Levante) or in the more powerful 316kw/580Nm state of tune (Levante S). Both these engines are offered with AWD and an eight-speed AT. All three models also get air suspension and electronically controlled damping for the suspension.
The diesel hits the 100kmph mark in 6.9-seconds and tops out at 230kmph while the Levante does the sprint to three digits in six seconds and tops out at 251kmph. Being the most powerful of the lot, the Levante S goes from 0-100kmph in 5.2-seconds and tops out at 264kmph. Finally, all three cars measure in at 5.0-metres and have a wheelbase of 3.0-metres whichmakes them incredibly spacious inside.
The standard models in the Levante line-up will be the Levante and the Levante diesel. Both vehicles are have been fitted with exactly the same features list and vary only in terms of engine options. The standard list includes multi-zone climate control, touchscreen infotainment system with 360 degree camera, electric seats, wood trim and electrically adjustable pedals. The more expensive Levante S gets these features but with the option of bigger wheels, higher quality leather, adaptive bi-xenon headlamps and 8-way adjustable memory front seats.
There are a host of features like adaptive cruise control, ESP, ABS with EBD and of course, multiple airbags for the front and rear passengers. Finally, you also get two style packs on offer- luxury pack and sport pack. As their name suggests, they offer a host of interior and exterior customisation options to enhance that specific quotient of the car.
The Levante is Maserati’s first SUV and has been brought in to challenge the likes of the Porsche Cayenne, BMW X6 and the Mercedes-Benz GLE63 AMG. We believe that it will be priced in the range ofRs 1.5 crore to 2.5 crore and will be offered here via the CBU route.
