SuperTunes

Archive for the ‘Maserati’ Category

Maserati is dropping some spice back into the Levante SUV with the release of the Levante Vulcano. The special edition model is an aesthetic showcase featuring exclusive touches in the exterior and interior. The SE is also available in two states of tune, though those don’t include the range-topping, 590-horsepower Levante Trofeo or the 542-horsepower GTS. Unfortunately, only 150 units of the Maserati Levante Vulcano will be available. Worse, all 150 units are headed to the European and Asian markets. Details on pricing have yet to be announced by Maserati, though expect it to cost somewhere in the vicinity of $120,000.

It’s been a while since Maserati made the news, but when it does, it makes sure to leave a lasting impression. The Italian automaker has announced a series of special edition models for the 2019 Ghibli, Levante, and Quattroporte under the Edizione Nobile package. The special edition models are limited to a total of 150 units with each model receiving 50 units. The Edizione Nobile special edition models carry a similar theme, defined by an exclusive paint scheme to go with a handful of upgrades in the exterior and interior. There are no engine upgrades included in the special edition models. As it is, the package is scheduled to arrive this month in Maserati showrooms, both in the U.S. and Canada.

German tuning company Pogea Racing crafted an all-new tuning kit for the Maserati GranCabrio, and consequently, for the Gran Turismo. The dated Italian sports car from Maserati is on its last legs on the market. We can expect discontinuation as early as next year, but that did not stop Pogea Racing from creating a one of a kind tuning kit for what is, probably, one of the most beautiful designs in the history of the automobile. Based around the GranCabrio, the Pogea Racing kit includes suspension tweaks, an engine upgrade, and interior modifications. External body kit? None of that I am afraid; however, the Maserati GranCabrio and the GranTurismo are already astoundingly beautiful.

The Maserati Bora, a classic Giugiaro design, is the first mid-engine sports car to come from Maserati and the bigger brother of the more well-known Merak, which massively outsold and outlived the Bora. Less than 600 were made, all with V-8 engines.

The birth of the Lamborghini Miura took the world by storm. It produced shock waves that rocked all the big names in the world of sports car manufacturing. Basically, after the Miura, everyone had to have a mid-engine supercar in its lineup. Alejandro De Tomaso came up with the Mangusta which followed the latest trends in design which dictated that the body should have a lot of straight surfaces and razor-sharp edges which would, in turn, reduce drag and make the whole thing look incredible. You can thank Marcello Gandini for this trend, the Italian designer behind the Miura who quickly moved on to a more futuristic design language with the Alfa-Romeo Carabo which was exhibited at the Paris Motor Show 50 years ago.

Maserati, who were still employing their elegant Ghibli, a quintessential grand tourer through and through, decided they should have a mid-engine car too. Ghibli’s designer Giorgetto Giugiaro, of Italdesign, was phoned up and, by mid-1969, the Bora prototype was in its testing phase. The finished product was gorgeous to look at, and an advertised top speed of over 170 mph was astonishing at the time. It was also a car that you could drive for extended periods of time thanks to the comfortable cabin and many amenities that weren’t too common in supercars.

The new Maserati Ghibli Ribelle, so called due to its unique NeroRibelle mica paint job, is a very interesting car. You got the fantastic look of the Ghibli, the extra drama of the black treatment, and a range of good engines. What’s not to love?

To be launched from October and limited to just 200 units, 2019 Maserati Ghibli Ribelle also features shiny black 19 inch Proteo alloy wheels. These in their turn feature contrasting red laser etched details, complemented with red brake calipers. The red and black mix is why you should only get this model with the range-topping 430 hp petrol engine. But if all you care about is the looks, you can also opt for the 350 hp twin-turbo V6 or the 275 hp V6 turbodiesel. The important thing is they all sound great.

Maserati Ghibli Ribelle is also unique inside the cabin. Two-tone black/red dashboard, black door panels and red central armrest, black leather Sport steering wheel with tone-on-tone stitching are the main highlights here. The limited edition gets its own unique sports seats as well. They come in full premium leather, with 12 position memory, two-tone in black/red and contrasting stitching. A chromed aluminium badge set against Piano Black wood on the center console marks this model as a special one.

If you want to add luxury to the mix, then you need to get the optional Ribelle Plus package. This will add to the list of standard features laminated privacy windows for enhanced thermal and sound insulation, full-LED Matrix adaptive headlights, Harman Kardon premium sound system and opening sunroof.

The post 2019 Maserati Ghibli Ribelle Is Dark and Luxurious appeared first on Motorward.

Designed by Pininfarina, the Maserati GranTurismo is one gorgeous looking car, even if it has been on the market for a decade now. It has a timeless design, though, and while it may be time for it to be replaced, the car will remain relevant for years to come, eventually becoming a collectible. After all, it was the first grand tourer that was developed under Ferrari ownership. It’s powered by a Ferrari-designed 4.7-liter V-8 that’s good for some 454 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. Channeled through a ZF, six-speed automatic, it’s good enough to get the GT up to 60mph in 4.6 seconds on the way to a top speed of 185 mph. Given the fact that its time is drawing short on the market, we decided to honor it a bit and make it our wallpaper of the day. We’ve picked our favorite and thrown in a gallery so you can do the same. Enjoy!

Revealed at the 2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Maserati Levante GTS showed that Maser knows a thing or two about making really fast luxurious cars. SUVs or not. It does not matter to them. The new car features a Ferrari-built 3.8-liter, turbocharged, V-8 with 542 horsepower, can accelerate to 62 mph in 4.2 seconds, and it can hit a top speed of 181 mph. It is the supercar of SUVs. Or as Maserati would put it, the new Levante GTS is the Maserati of SUVs. I like this one better.

While this sounds really impressive, this is not the first time that Maserati smashed a Ferrari V-8 into the Levante. Only a few months ago, the Italian company revealed the Maserati Levante Trofeo with the same V-8 only tuned up to 590 horsepower. That one is a tad faster, a tad meaner, and $50,000 more expensive. Why in hell is the Levante Trofeo so much more expensive than the Levante GTS that is priced at $120,000?

This year at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Maserati introduced a new V8 variant of its luxury SUV, Levante. Then immediately they gave people a reason not to go for it, and that reason is a brilliant new V6 petrol unit. Also featured in the UK-spec 2019 Maserati Quattroporte, this 3.0 liter engine makes 350 horsepower. 

Granted, that is 200 less than what you get from the V8 GTS Levante, but at £61,425 the V6 version is a lot cheaper. It also gives you the smoothness of the V6 along with a more sporty soundtrack, and let’s be honest 350 horses is more than you could ever use on or off the road. The new V6 Levante does the 0-62mph in just 6.0 seconds and has a top speed of 156 mph. As for the 2019 Maserati Quattroporte, which costs £78,120, it goes form 0 to 62 mph in 5.5 seconds and has a top speed of 167 mph.

Another advantage of the V6 motor compared to the V8 is fuel efficiency. The Levante V6 has a NEDC 2.0 combined consumption and CO2 emissions range of 23.5 – 24.4 mpg and 268 -270 respectively. Those figures for the 2019 Maserati Quattroporte V6 are 25.2 mpg and 259 -260 respectively. The 2019 range gets a number of general updates as well, with the Levante benefiting from optional Adaptive Full LED Matrix headlights and now standard Integrated Vehicle Control (IVC). The Quattroporte, meanwhile, gets new colors, including Rosso Potente and Blu Nobile tri-coat jobs.

Mike Biscoe, General Manager, Maserati GB commented: “We are pleased to be able to now offer the 350hp petrol engine on the Maserati Levante, which in addition to the 430hp petrol engine we introduced last year and the 275hp diesel we offered at launch, provide a much greater choice to our UK customers. The introduction of the more cost effective, entry level petrol engine is as a result of the demand in the market and we expect it to sell extremely well.”

The post 2019 Maserati Quattroporte and Levante Get New Engine in the UK appeared first on Motorward.

2018 Goodwood Festival of Speed is the venue where Maserati has picked to unveil a new edition of their luxury SUV. The 2019 Maserati Levante GTS finally gets the kind of power the SUV should have had from the beginning: a twin-turbo V8 with 550 horsepower. 

Now this thing deserves to be called a super SUV. The 3.8 liter Ferrari-built power house in the Maserati Levante GTS generates 550hp (404 kW) at 6,250 rpm and 730 Nm peak torque between 2,500 and 5,000 rpm. Thanks to a reworked Q4 all-wheel-drive system the car is capable of sprinting to 100 km/h form 0 in 4.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 292 km/h. Those are figures on the par with the best of the super SUV market.

Obviously, the Levante’s chassis and suspension have also been upgraded to cope with the extra power and higher speed. So there are some concerns as to the quality of the ride in the GTS, which remains to be tested when the car is launched. In terms of styling, the Maserati Levante GTS and its extra hot Trofeo edition come with revised bumpers for a more aggressive look. Inside, they get Premium leather or full-grain Pieno Fiore natural leather as an option, sport pedals and Harman Kardon Audio system with 14 speakers.

2019 Levante family also benefits from some “content” upgrades, the main highlights of which include optional Adaptive Full LED Matrix headlights and now standard Integrated Vehicle Control (IVC).

The post 2019 Maserati Levante GTS Unveiled with V8 Power appeared first on Motorward.

This year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed brings many cool sports cars into the spotlight, but when it comes to SUVs, the Maserati Levante GTS reigns supreme. Powered by a Ferrari-developed engine, the Levante GTS bridges the gap between the regular V-6 model and the hardcore Trofeo, which also made its European debut in England.

This year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed brings many cool sports cars into the spotlight, but when it comes to SUVs, the Maserati Levante GTS reigns supreme. Powered by a Ferrari-developed engine, the Levante GTS bridges the gap between the regular V-6 model and the hardcore Trofeo, which also made its European debut in England.

Last week, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne unveiled a massive four-year plan for all the auto brands belonging to the American automaker. There were a lot of announcements involving brands like Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, RAM, and Maserati. Some of the announcements were expected, but there were also some announcements that left a lot of people surprised and excited for what’s to come. All in all, more than 25 new vehicles are being planned over the next four years, including the five models that we’re most excited to see.

When Maserati first announced plans to build an SUV back in 2011, not many people took the company seriously. It didn’t help the Italian automaker’s cause when it took five years for the production model to arrive. As it turns out, all that waiting was for a reason. The Levante not only proved to be a popular model — over 10,000 units sold worldwide in 2017 — it also paved the way for the Levante Trofeo to get showcased at the 2018 New York Auto Show. From ambitious beginnings to a full-fledged, Ferrari-powered range-topper, Maserati apparently knew what it was doing all along.

Well in case the “regular” Maserati SUV was not plush enough for you, the Italian car maker has come with a new range-topper. Unveiled at the New York Auto Show, the Maserati Levante Trofeo features an overpowered V8 engine and unique styling touches fit for a real top dog SUV. 

And it really is a top dog SUV, what with a 590 horsepower 3.8-litre Twin Turbo V8 engine under the bonnet. Helped by Q4 Intelligent All-Wheel Drive System, that power along with 538 lb.-ft. (730 Nm) of peak torque take the Maserati Levante Trofeo from zero to 60 mph in just 3.7 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds) and on to a top speed of over 187 mph (>300 km/h). So if you’ve already bought one of those V6 or diesel Levantes, well, sucks to be you.

Styling-wise, 2018 Maserati Levante Trofeo is set apart from ordinary models by 22-inch forged aluminium “Orione” wheels, revised fascia and bumpers, new aero parts, and little touches like carbon fibre side bezel blades and a carbon fibre splitter. The car also features piano black accents and full LED Matrix headlights. Inside you get full-grain “Pieno Fiore” natural leather sport seats with contrast stitching and Trofeo logos,  matte carbon fibre trim and paddle shifters, specific instrument cluster graphics, floor mats with metal Trofeo badges and a Maserati clock with a unique dial.

The Trofeo version of the Levante is intended for a small number of customers in US and Canada and comes with some additions such as a 1,280-watt, 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins premium surround sound audio system.

The post 2018 Maserati Levante Trofeo Revealed at NY Auto Show appeared first on Motorward.

Launched in 2017, the Levante is Maserati’s first foray into the ever-growing SUV market and the company’s answer to the all-popular Porsche Cayenne. But even though it was received with rave reviews and delivered solid performance from its V-6 engine, the Levante didn’t have what it took to challenge high-speed SUVs like the Cayenne Turbo S and BMW X5 M. Until today, when Maserati unveiled the Levante Trofeo at the 2018 New York Auto Show. Named after the brand’s Trofeo racing series and a race car it built until 2010, the SUV finally received the V-8 engine it deserves and access to the Porsche Cayenne Turbo’s audience.

Today’s automotive market is based on clearly defined rules that are known to have worked for decades (for the most part at least), but some carmakers take the unbeaten path from time to time. For instance, a few companies, usually from the luxury market, opt to unveil their new cars at private event or happenings that take place between major auto shows. That’s simply because they don’t really need an auto show to advertise their cars. This is the kind of attitude that brand’s like Lamborghini, Ferrari, and Rolls-Royce have, and it’s perfectly understandable. But it doesn’t always happen like that and that’s when the automotive business become weird and confusing. And the latest example is Maserati’s decision to bring its entire lineup to the Chicago Auto Show.

The Italian manufacturer has five vehicles on display in the “Windy City,” including a Ghibli S4 Q4, Quattroporte S Q4, Quattroporte GTS, two Levante S, and a GranTurismo MC, whih covers its entire offering as of 2018. There’s nothing wrong with doing that, but the issue is that Maserati has nothing to show for at this point. Sure, the Ghibli, Quattroporte, and GranTurismo gained small updates for 2018, but the new features are barely noticeable. So why is Maserati attending a small event that likely doesn’t help with marketing in the absence of a brand-new or special-edition model? I don’t have an answer to this question, but it’s a strange attitude coming from a carmaker that usually only goes to big auto shows and self-made fancy events.

Granted, some people will probably be happy to see some Maseratis on the show’s floor, but I still don’t see how the company’s presence here is good for business. Stranger things have happened though…

References

Read our full review on the 2018 Maserati Granturismo.

Read our full review on the 2018 Maserati Levante.

Read more Chicago Auto Show news.

2016 Maserati Levante

Learn more about the Maserati Levante or see some shots from its debut in our full review or check out the gallery below for more wallpaper options!

Maserati is having a hard time selling its vehicles recently, and as a result, the Italian automaker is stopping production on most of its vehicles until January 15. According to Automotive News Europe, Maserati will halt production of the Ghibli and Quattroporte for the next month. Likewise, production of the GranTurismo and Grancabrio models have been put on hold until January 8 while the Levante’s production will stop from December 20 to January 15.

These production stoppages are more than just bad news for Maserati; they’re potentially catastrophic if the Italian automaker doesn’t turn its fortunes around quick. The Italian automaker can spin this around anyway it can, but at the end of the day, halting production of one model, let alone the entire lineup, is a sign that Maserati isn’t selling as many models as it’s building. It’s a classic case of low demand torpedoing the brand’s supply chain.

The report from Automotive News Europe adds that slow sales in China are largely to blame for the stoppage. That was the case earlier this year when Maserati stopped production of the Levante on two separate occasions. It said publicly that new import rules in the country were the big reason for the production stoppage. But given its current predicament, it’s easy to read the tea leaves and see that there’s more to it than “import rules.”

For now, it’s unclear how Maserati plans to jolt life back to its lineup. There have been reports that the Levante will be expanded to add a high-performance GTS variant that will have 570 horsepower coming out of Ferrari’s 3.8-liter bi-turbo V-8 engine. There’s also been talk that a new GranTurismo is still on the cards. Word on that front suggests that Maserati will use a new all-aluminum platform for the performance coupe, to go with a powertrain that will come with an electrically driven compressor.

As ambitious as Maserati’s plans are, it’s not going to help clear up the mess the company is in now. The lack of demand in China is alarming considering how big and fruitful that market is for performance and luxury brands.

Maserati will halt production once again due to slow sales for the company’s models, and assembly of most products won’t get back underway until January 15. Slow sales in China are largely to blame for the latest stoppage. Let’s hope that Maserati gets out of this rut quickly because if it doesn’t, the roof may fall quickly on the Italian automaker.

References

Maserati Ghibli

Read our full review on the 2018 Maserati Ghibli.

Maserati Quattroporte

Read our full review on the 2018 Maserati Quattroporte.

Maserati GranTurismo

Read our full review on the 2018 Maserati GranTurismo.

Maserati GranCabrio

Read our full review on the 2018 Maserati GranCabrio.

Maserati Levante

Read our full review on the 2018 Maserati Levante.

The petrol-powered 2018 Maserati Levante S is now available to order in the United Kingdom, starting from £70,755. This is presumably for those who find the already-available diesel version of the Italian SUV a little underwhelming. The S model is a lot more exciting thanks to a potent 3.0 liter twin-turbo V6 engine. 

Maserati Levante S also enjoys near 50:50 weight distribution, but at the end of the day it’s still a big, bulky SUV. So don’t expect Gran Turismo level of driving fun here. Straight-line performance is more than decent, however, with a 0-62mph time of 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 164mph. That is down, in part, to the 430bhp output of the engine, partly due to the eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox, and also because of the Q4 Intelligent All-Wheel Drive System.

As for the specs, Maserati Levante S launches in UK with two trim levels: GranLusso and GranSport. Thekit you get with  each trim level can be found below.

The GranLusso trim is externally recognisable by its metallic-finish front skid plates, the GranLusso badges on the front wings, the body-colour side skirts, the black-painted brake callipers and the 19” Zefiro alloy wheels. The interior’s feel is further enhanced thanks to Ermenegildo Zegna silk or full premium Italian leather with a Radica open-pore wood trim and leather steering wheel.

Recognisable by its Black Piano front grille, skid plates and roof rails, the GranSport trim was conceived to meet the demands of customers seeking a sportier expression of a high-end SUV and reflect the legendary racing heritage of Maserati. The exterior also boasts body-colour side skirts, blue inserts on all Trident and Saetta logos, red brake callipers and 20” Nereo wheels, whilst the cabin includes leather sport seats with 12-way power, a power adjustable sport steering wheel with gear shift paddles as well as sport pedals in brushed stainless steel.

The post 2018 Maserati Levante S Launches in UK from £70,755 appeared first on Motorward.

Maserati’s full-size luxury performance SUV was first unveiled as the Kubang concept at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2011. The production model was then officially unveiled earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show in March. When it finally broke cover, the details were impressive – the exterior was pure Italian premium goodness, the cabin was opulent and well appointed, and a good dose of adrenaline was waiting under the hood. However, it’s looking like an even more exciting Levante is just over the horizon, and we think it’ll have a meaner look, more driver’s goodies inside, and two additional turbocharged cylinders.

So where would we get a crazy idea like that? Well, back in April, Autoblog asked Maserati if it could fit its top-spec 523-horsepower twin-turbo V-8, the same powerplant it shoehorned into the Quattroporte GTS, into its first-ever SUV. The answer was an unequivocal “yes.” What’s more, Davide Danesin, the head of Maserati vehicle programs, reported that the Trident already had a prototype of the combo in hand, leading high-performance SUV enthusiasts everywhere to begin salivating uncontrollably. And while it’s still possible Maserati will axe the project outright, odds are a Levante GTS will become a thing sooner or later.

In anticipation of that day, we created the following rendering and speculative review.

Updated 10/06/2017: The upcoming Maserati Levante GTS was caught testing for the first time in the sunny and hot parts of Europe.

Continue reading to learn more about the Maserati Levante GTS.

Spy Shots

October 6, 2017 – Maserati Levante GTS caught testing in the sunny and hot parts of Europe

Exterior

To help it stand out from the standard Levante, the GTS model gets a selection of unique styling additions. The most noticeable difference is the front fascia, where we find a lower intake that is widened and extended, unlike the bisected lower intake on the standard model. This lower intake receives a honeycomb grille insert, which is finished in glossy black, a nice offset to the exterior body panels. Above the widely grinning lower grille are two fog lights that are deeply set into the bumper, almost like dimples. Near the ground, we find an extended front splitter, most likely made from a composite material.

The characteristic Trident badge is front and center in the upper intake, bookended on either side by four slates finished in a dark coloration. A single chrome strip runs along the topmost edge of the grille, leading the eye into LED daytime running lights in the front projectors.

These features set the right angle to give the Levante GTS an aggressive, forward-leaning demeanor. Higher up are hood lines that give the front end a sharp, pointed look.

Moving to the profile, we find a trio of the trademark Maserati fender vents. Beyond these are revised side-view mirrors, which are sharper and smaller, coming to an almost blade-like tip. The mirror cap finish is black, a color that’s repeated in the side skirt extensions at the bottom. The window surrounds are made from polished chrome.

In back, there’s a trailing edge roof spoiler, while below the hatch, there are quad exhaust tips set in a carbon fiber diffuser that gets the Levante just a little closer to the ground.

Overall, the look is much more assertive, trading roundness for sharp edges and adding a good amount of GT-inspired aggression. But it’s not all for looks – the aerodynamic enhancements become necessary on a vehicle with this much potential, as downforce becomes an issue that can’t be ignored when you’re pushing more than 500 horsepower.

Interior

Note: Interior from Standard 2016 Levante shown here.

We didn’t render the Levante GTS’ interior space, but it isn’t too hard to imagine what it’ll bring to the table should it hit production.

First off, expect opulence and luxury at every turn. Sumptuous leather upholstery, wood trim, aluminum control bits, and an Alcantara headliner are all part of the materials list. Contrast stitching abounds.

However, to make it sportier, the GTS model will offer the option for full carbon fiber across the dash, center console, and door inserts. The electronically adjustable seats will gain much bigger bolsters, hugging the front passengers with increased support in anticipation of higher lateral loads. No such luck for anyone in the rear seat, but space for three will be maintained nonetheless.

The steering wheel will be the same three-spoke unit we’re all familiar with, trimmed in carbon fiber and bearing thumb controls for the infotainment system. Paddle shifters made from aluminum will be in place behind the wheel for easy access. The pedals will be drilled aluminum with rubber inserts.

Instrumentation will include all-digital gear, such as a TFT touch screen, probably similar to the current 8.4-inch unit, plus a TFT driver’s information screen in the gauge cluster. Maserati’s classic analog clock will find a spot in the dash. Bowers & Wilkins will provide the music with a 17-speaker surround sound system. The latest in automated driving aides will come as standard.

In back, the Levante’s 20.5 cubic feet of cargo room will be maintained for when you need to haul more than just butt.

Drivetrain

So far, the Levante has been confirmed to bear a 3.0-liter V-6, boosted by two turbochargers to two levels of tune – 345 horsepower for the base model Levante, and 424 horsepower for the Levante S. There’s also a diesel, but we don’t really care about that.

What we do care about is performance, and with 424 ponies to play with, the Levante has plenty of that to offer. From standstill, the Levante S takes just 5.2 seconds to hit 62 mph – not bad for a 4,650-pound SUV.

However, if it’s gonna go up against the current breed of fire-breathing SUV’s, it’s gonna need a little more. Like at least another 100 horsepower more, or to be specific, the twin-turbo 3.8-liter V-8 currently used in the Quattroporte GTS.

As is, this powerplant produces 523 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque in Maserati’s top-spec RWD sedan. Transplanted into the AWD Levante, and I see the SUV’s 0-to-60 mph sprint time dropping to around 4.5 seconds.

Again, that’s not too shabby, but I doubt Maserati will be content with that result. More than likely, the Trident will look to boost output even further – perhaps eclipsing the 575-horsepower mark.

With a number like that, the Levante would be able to positively blitz the competition, driving the 0-to-60 mph time down into the high three-second range.

Routing the power will be an eight-speed automatic transmission from ZF, the same transmission used on the current sixth-generation Quattroporte.

Chassis And Handling

The Levante is built on the same platform as the Quattroporte and Ghibli, and it should be a pretty stellar handler right out of the box. However, a GTS model will need even more to keep up with the extra output from that V-8.

To that end, the tires will be ultra-high-performance rubber, although all-seasons are likely to be an available option. The brakes will be upgraded to six-piston calipers at each corner, while the air suspension will be tweaked for more all-around stiffness. The AWD system will be retuned as well for even better rear-biased handling.

Finally, I wouldn’t be surprised if Maserati cut some of the curb weight and added a little chassis stiffness, just to round it out.

Prices

It might seem odd to be daydreaming about a Levante GTS when the base model and Levante S have yet to even begin trickling into dealerships (look for that to happen in October). That said, now is the time for the Trident to begin cooking up a new range-topper, so look for spy shots and leaks in the near future.

Should it make the cut, the Levante GTS is expected to drop by 2018. We’re pegging the price tag to be around $120,000, far above the current top dog Levante S, which goes for $83,000.

Competition

Range Rover Sport SVR

The fastest Land Rover available is the Range Rover Sport SVR, a 550-horsepower brick of supercharged V-8 insanity. Properly motivated, this speedy SUV will hit 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds, and will continue on to a top speed of 162 mph. It’s got air springs, variable dampers, and an active exhaust that’ll make more of the good noise when the mood is right. SVR worked its magic on the inside too, with sport seats that come wrapped in leather.

Read our full review on the Range Rover Sport SVR].

Porsche Cayenne Turbo S

When Porsche dropped the Cayenne, the critics scoffed. The notion of a fast SUV from Stuttgart didn’t fit with their notion of what should be done, but the market spoke, and now, performance utility vehicles are everywhere. But of course, the original carries on, with the top of the totem pole occupied by the Cayenne Turbo S. With 570 horsepower hitting the ground via an eight-speed transmission and AWD, this thing will attain 60 mph in 3.8 seconds. Top speed is rated at 176 mph.

Read our full review on the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S.

Conclusion

Given the fact there’s already a prototype of the V-8 Levante confirmed, a GTS variant is looking mighty likely. But the real question is how it’ll play out in the segment two years from now when it releases. Will the base model soak up the demand for Maserati SUV’s, or will the buying public be clamoring for more? How about the competition? Where will the new benchmark lie in terms of performance expectations?

Only time will tell.

• Love it
  • Looks fresh and mean
  • V-8-powered soundtrack
  • Physics-breaking insanity
• Leave it
  • Very expensive
  • Lots of competition already out there
  • What will the market look like in a few years?

References

Maserati Levante

Read our full review on the 2017 Maserati Levante.