The Maserati Levante S is officially in Malaysia. This is the 'Maserati of SUVs' according to Maserati. But of course, no one does a Maserati like Maserati and no one would do a SUV like Italians do. So the Levante is pretty unique. Now whilst the Levante has already made it to our shores in diesel form, this marks Maserati's first petrol powered SUV to reach our shores.
We basically get the 2018 Levante S variant. This would mean that it is a Maserati with a whole slew of new equipment which includes an electric power steering and the now very common active driving and safety features. The Levante S gets the newly-introduced Advanced Driving Assistance Systems (ADAS) with Highway Assist, Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition. It brings Maserati into the current trend of things with all of these active systems. Something which was unavailable before.
However, the key feature is the petrol powered engine. From what we have heard from Naza Italia, the official importers and distributors of Maserati in Malaysia, this could be the key to increasing the Levante's popularity as Malaysia is a very petrol-centric market (if there ever was such a term) especially in the luxury market. With a petrol engine, it competes directly with that popular German sports car brand that has made it big in the SUV market here in Malaysia.
The Maserati 3.0liter twin-turbo V6 engine is a Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engine and was designed by Maserati Powertrain, in conjunction with the Ferrari Powertrain development team. It's all wheel drive system uses an eight speed ZF automatic transmission (a favourite gearbox of mine these days). It is a modern engine which has been designed with both performance, economy and emissions in question. It makes 430hp and 530Nm worth of torque. This enables it to accelerate from 0 to 100kmh in 5.2 seconds and it consumes 10.9 l/100 km on the NEDC test cycle, and CO 2 emissions (253 g/km).
It is fast, luxurious and a Maserati. Italian luxury is totally unique take on how a luxury car should be. There are nice design cues everywhere and somehow looks unique even though there is a similarity in terms of overall premium SUV silhouette we have been seeing in some other brands. The front grille is massive and totally sporty looking. The alloy wheels are also unique as are the side vents.
This is for both the GranLusso with its more luxurious styling as well as the GranSport variant which is more sporty.
The Maserati Levante S will be on sale at a price of RM 788,800 (inclusive of local taxes and duties) and includes 3 years Standard Warranty coverage with no mileage restriction plus a *Maserati Premium Service Plus of 3 years/ 60,000 km whichever comes first.
*Press Release after the photos below
Maserati Levante S GranLusso (with Ermenegildo Zegna trim)
MASERATI LEVANTE S GRANSPORT
PRESS RELEASE
The Maserati Levante S powers into the Malaysian SUV market
Maserati’s first SUV is now available as a petrol-powered variant that promises
more power and choice of two trim options: GranLusso and GranSport
L to R - Mr. Amaury La Fonta (General Manager, Maserati South East Asia Pacific), Dato’ Samson Anand George (Group Chief Executive Officer, Automotive Group, NAZA Corporation Holdings Sdn Bhd) & Mr. Farid Sulaiman (Chief Operating Officer, NAZA Italia Sdn Bhd)
Kuala Lumpur, 24 th November 2017 – Naza Italia, the official importer and distributor for
Maserati in Malaysia, has officially introduced the Maserati Levante S. The petrol-powered
twin-turbocharged Levante S was revealed during its launch event at Desa Park City,
Kuala Lumpur.
The Levante S (MY18) made its world premiere at the 2017 Frankfurt Motorshow with a
new range strategy and an array of hi-tech features, including Electric Power Steering and
the addition of new active functions to the existing driving assistance systems. The
Levante S version promises heightened performance and sporting prowess to navigate all-
terrain adventures with greater ease.
The new evolution of the marque’s first SUV has been engineered to excite with the
Maserati twin-turbo V6 engine featuring the latest Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI)
technology at its core. The engine was designed by Maserati Powertrain, in conjunction
with the Ferrari Powertrain development team and is both powerful and eco-friendly,
thanks to the Auto Start-Stop function.
The V6 engine’s specific torque of 194 Nm per litre is the best in the luxury SUV class, as
is its specific power (144hp/l). The Levante S accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2
seconds and has a top speed of 264 km/h. Its 430 hp engine is on par with its competitors
in terms of fuel consumption, with 10.9 l/100 km on the NEDC test cycle, and CO 2
emissions (253 g/km).
“Maserati has injected extra power and performance into an already impressive luxury
SUV. The petrol-powered Levante S has been eagerly awaited and will no doubt be a
popular new addition to Malaysia’s luxury automotive market,” said Datuk Wira Hj SM
Faisal Tan Sri SM Nasimuddin, Group Executive Chairman of Naza World Group of
Companies.
Maserati has replaced the Levante’s hydraulic power steering with electric power steering
to provide improved handling and driving comfort in the Levante S. This also better
supports the driving modes and enables the newly-introduced Advanced Driving
Assistance Systems (ADAS) with more active functions, whilst retaining the razor-sharp
steering feel symbolic of any Maserati. These functions include Highway Assist, Lane
Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition.
The 430 hp Levante S features a state-of- the-art braking system that deals superbly with
the car’s high performance. The front system has adopted Brembo 6-piston aluminium
monobloc calipers working on 380 mm drilled discs. Aluminium 42 mm floating calipers
with 330 mm x 22 mm ventilated drilled discs are fitted at the rear.
Maserati has achieved unparalleled agility with the Levante S, which boasts the lowest
centre of gravity in its class, thanks to the extensive use of lightweight materials and an
ideal 50:50 weight distribution. The Levante S’s exclusivity stems from technical features
like Air Suspension, electronically controlled Skyhook shock absorbers and the Q4 AWD
system, which come as standard equipment. The aluminium double-wishbone, five-link
suspension layout comprises standard Air Springs and electronically-controlled Skyhook
shock absorbers. Apart from the obvious benefits, such as the improvement of comfort and
active safety, the air suspension contributes to the reduction of fuel consumption and CO 2
emissions, thanks to the lowering of the car and the reduced aerodynamic drag at medium
to high speeds.
The Levante S adopts the eight-speed automatic ZF gearbox that provides seamless
comfort and fast gear shifting, depending on the selected drive mode and presents a
choice of four drive modes, “Normal”, I.C.E., “Sport” and “Off-road”. Each one constitutes a
distinct character, intelligently altering engine, transmission, suspension and electronics
features.
The dashboard and the central console are designed to accommodate the 8.4” Maserati
Touch Control Plus (MTC+) display, the driving modes button cluster, the user-friendly,
aluminium rotary knob and the air suspension height setup switch.
Styling-wise, the Levante exhibits similar design cues to other models in Maserati’s stable
and incorporates the brand’s signature lush aesthetic and spacious interior that allows for
five people to be seated comfortably. Its streamlined shape lends to the Levante’s
aerodynamic efficiency, which is best in its segment with a Cx coefficient of just 0.31.
The petrol-powered Levante S is being introduced to Malaysia’s luxury SUV segment at
the starting price of RM 788,800 (inclusive of local taxes and duties) and includes 3 years
Standard Warranty coverage with no mileage restriction plus a *Maserati Premium Service
Plus of 3 years/ 60,000 km whichever comes first.
GranLusso trim
The GranLusso trim is essentially an emphasis on luxury. It is externally recognisable by
its metallic-finish front skid plates and roof rails, the GranLusso badges on the front wings,
the body-colour side skirts, the black-painted brake calipers and the 19” Zefiro alloy
wheels.
The interior design features an array of innovative solutions in line with Levante’s SUV
character, with an extra focus on luxury in the new GranLusso trim. The GranLusso cabin
combines a choice of Ermenegildo Zegna silk or full premium Italian upholstery with a
Radica open-pore wood trim and leather steering wheel.
The extravagant trim also includes standard 12-way power comfort seats, a Harman
Kardon Sound System, power-adjustable steering wheel, illuminated door sills, parking
sensors, navigation system and new Soft Close Doors.
GranSport trim
plates and roof rails, GranSport badges on the front wings, body-colour side skirts, blue
inserts on all Trident and Saetta logos, red brake calipers and 20” Nereo wheels.
The interior design features an array of innovative solutions and the sportiness of the
Levante’s SUV character is further enhanced in the new GranSport trim. Both the exterior
design and interior features reflect the legendary racing heritage of the Maserati brand.
The Sport 12-way power leather seats and power-adjustable Sport steering wheel
combine with a carbon trim to create an exciting, sporty interior in the GranSport. It also
features a Sport steering wheel with standard gearshift paddles, power-adjustable Inox
sport pedals, parking sensors and navigation system.
Follow @maserati.malaysia (Instagram) and www.facebook/maserati.malaysia for the
brand’s latest updates in Malaysia.
LEVANTE S
Engine Layout Petrol 60 0 V6, twin-turbo - direct injection (GDI)
Displacement (cc) 2,979
Max. Power (kW / hp @
rpm) 316 / 430 @ 5,750
Peak Torque (Nm @ rpm) 580 @ 5,000
Fuel consumption l/100
km (NEDC) 10.9
CO 2 (g/km) 253
0-100 km/h (sec) 5.2
Top speed (km/h) 264
Gearbox 8-speed ZF automatic AT8 - HP70
Transmission Q4 Intelligent All-Wheel Drive with rear limited slip differential
Suspension Front Double-Wishbone, adjustable Air Springs, Skyhook shock absorbers
Suspension Rear Multi-Link, adjustable Air Springs, Skyhook shock absorbers
Length/width/height (mm) 5,003 / 1,968 / 1,679
Wheelbase (mm) 3,004
Tyres (standard) 265/50 ZR19 front
295/45 ZR19 rear
-ENDS-
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