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Maserati Levante is Italy’s answer to the F-Pace and Bentayga

Maserati has revealed the Levante, a sports utility vehicle that will go up against the Jaguar F-Pace and Bentley Bentayga.

The long-awaited Levante is the marque’s first sports utility vehicle (SUV). Maserati claims it combines ‘the outstanding on-road performance typical with every Maserati with unrivalled handling… and excellent off-road performance and ride’.

It is said to feature a high level of extras as standard, including a ‘specifically calibrated’ eight-speed automatic, “Q4” ‘intelligent’ all-wheel drive and electronic suspension that allows adjustments of the damping and air springs.

Maserati is yet to elaborate on specific engines, but it has mentioned there will be a choice of Euro 6-compliant petrol and diesel lumps. Reports say power output will range from 247 to 345bhp, the latter created by a V8 petrol.

In terms of the design, the Levante features tapered headlights sepsrated into two elements, three air vents on the front wings, the ‘Saetta’ logo on the trapezoidal C-pillar and frameless door windows.

There’s definitely a whiff of the Porsche Cayenne and Jaguar F-Pace in there, which is no bad thing when both models have been well-received. Although large people-carrying vehicles are especially limited by function so the apple was never going to fall too far from the tree, so to speak.

Production is already underway at its Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy ahead of its European launch in the spring of 2016, followed by a worldwide launch later in the year. The worldwide reveal will take place at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show in March.

Maserati Levante pictures

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