Maserati’s new SUV the Levante will go on sale in New Zealand early next year and the distributor wants to give buyers as many options as possible, including colours, accessories, engines and interior finishes.
“We want every available version for Australia and New Zealand,” said Glen Sealey, the chief of the Italian carmaker’s Downunder office.
“The Levante is a key part of our plans for Maserati over the coming years and that means securing every version that is available to us.”
Optional interior choices, for example, run from premium leather to a special silk made by the men’s boutique company, Ermenegildo Zegna.
There are thirteen colours, three of them unique to the model. Accessories include cargo solutions, useful everyday items and a variety of roof carrier or trailer options.
Sealey said he was working with the factory in Italy to get the best possible outcome on prices and specifications.
The Levante will come with three engine options – two twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol units in different states of tune and made by Ferrari, and a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 diesel.
Each model uses an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox driving all four wheels via the factory’s Q4 system, which comes with front and rear limited-slip differentials. There are four drive modes – Normal, I.C.E., Sport and Off-road.
The premium model is the Levante S, its 316kW/580Nm petrol engine giving it a top speed of 264km/h and a 0-100km/h sprint time of 5.2 seconds. Maserati claims town-and-around fuel consumption of 10.9 litres/100km (26mpg) and C02 exhaust emissions of 253gr/km.
The other V6 petrol model generates 257kW/500Nm, a top speed of 250km/h and a 0-100km/h time of 6.0 seconds. Fuel use is said to be 10.7 litres/100km, or emissions of 249gr/km.
The V6 diesel delivers 202kW/600Nm, has a top speed of 230km/h, gets to 100km/h in 6.9 seconds, and consumes a claimed 7.2 litres/100km for emissions of 189gr/km.
Maserati says the Levante, at 5003mm, is the longest and roomiest SUV in its segment. Its 3004mm wheelbase is also the longest. Width is 1968mm, height 1679mm. Weight distribution is an ideal 50:50.
The kerb weight of the petrol models is 2109kg; the diesel is 2205kg. All three have an 80-litre fuel tank and 580 litres of luggage space. Turning circle is 11.7m. Wheels are 18 and 19-inch as standard, with 20- and 21-inch as options.