It seems pretty clear to us that Maserati is hellbent on stealing some of BMW, Range Rover and Porsche's thunder in the luxury sport-utility vehicle class. That's because the latest reports are suggesting that it will be targeting the Cayenne, Range Rover Sport and X6 with its goals.
Said to be using the existing powerplants that will power the all-new Quattroporte and all-new Ghibli, the Levante will have plenty of thrust. That means it will get a V6 turbodiesel, a bi-turbo V6 and a twin-turbo V8.
On the inside, rumors have placed the luxury factor on the same level as the range-topping Quattroporte.
What makes the Levante VERY interesting is that word on the street is hinting that Maserati will draw some expertise from Chrysler Group, specifically Jeep when it comes to giving the Levante some off-road cred.
If you ask us, if any of these rumors are true, it sounds like Maserati is essentially building a Cayenne killer. Remember, when the Cayenne first broke on the scene it was selling in droves due to its dual-purpose nature and consumers wanted something "different." Now that buyers have gotten their Porsche fill, I wouldn't be surprised to see if a swarm of buyers seeking MORE cachet and a more exotic experience trade in their Cayenne for a Levante.
...Road-biased dynamics, muscularly athletic styling and room for five will be key ingredients of Maserati’s first production SUV, along with a sumptuous cabin. The 2011 Kubang SUV concept is said to provide a clue to the car’s “visual character”, but not its actual style...
...The Levante will have a sporty driving feel and its cabin is said to be as luxurious as that of the new Quattroporte...
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