Maserati offers entry-level SUV
Maserati Australia expects the new entry-level, petrol Levante to account for the vast majority of the large SUV’S sales, given it lowers the Italian brand’s base price while still remaining a high-end offering.
Speaking to journalists last week at the Levante launch in Albury, NSW, Maserati Australia chief operating of¿FHU *OHQ 6HDOH\ H[SODLQHG WKDW ZKLOH the price-leading variant extends the brand’s reach, it also maintains its exclusivity.
“With a price point of $125,000 (before on-road costs), this vehicle is the most accessible Maserati we’ve ever had... but it’s still not out there for everyone,” he said.
“If you look at Maserati as a brand, we don’t see ourselves as a premium brand, we see ourselves as an exclusive brand.
“We are the last step before the exotics, and it’s an area that we’re keen to make sure that we continue to occupy, in that Maserati remains an exclusive brand.”
Mr Sealey insisted the range-opener stays true to the car-maker’s core principles despite being $14,990 cheaper than the Levante’s former entry-level offering, the Turbo Diesel.
“You are really getting a Maserati; this is not a stripper,” he said. “You’ve still got the design, you’ve still got the FUDIWVPDQVKLS DQG WKHUH¶V QR VDFUL¿FH in terms of the driveline.”
6SHFL¿FDOO\ WKH EDVH /HYDQWH PLVVHV out on the diesel’s power-adjustable steering column with paddle-shifters, plus active versions of lane-keep assist and blind-spot monitoring, all of which can be optioned at a cost.
When asked what the sales expectations were for the latest Levante, Mr Sealey exercised caution, pointing out that the softening of the Australian new-vehicle market this year is making it harder than usual to predict.
“We’re very cautious to a put a number on this,” he said. “In a declining market, the last thing you want to do is set yourself up for a number that you want to achieve, regardless of the PDUNHW RQO\ WR ¿QG WKDW \RX¶YH KHDY ily overstocked the dealer network, and that’s not our brand.
“In that regard we’re a little wait and see, but if you’re asking my expectations of it, I think it’s going to be strong. I think it’s really going to hit its straps next year.
“As the Australian market comes out of its little correction, which we expect to see about mid-next year, I think you’ll see a vehicle like this really appeal to the marketplace, and it’ll take off quite considerably.”
For reference, sales of the Levante have backtracked this year, with 307 examples sold to the end of October – a 17.9 percent decrease over the 374 deliveries made during the same period in 2017.
As a result, the Levante is currently 12th in the $70,000-plus large-suv segment, trailing the BMW X5, 2277 units, Range Rover Sport, 1900, MerFHGHV %HQ] */( /H[XV 5; 1710, Audi Q7, 1575, and Land Rover Discovery, 1538, among others.
*LYHQ WKH VWURQJHU SRVLWLRQLQJ RI the petrol price leader, Mr Sealey suggested it would soon command the majority of the Levante’s sales, ending the best-selling Turbo Diesel’s reign.
“We see it being at least 50 percent of the Levante volume,” he said.
“There’ll certainly be some cannibalisation of diesel, and there’ll also be cannibalisation of the Levante S. However, the net gain will be sigQL¿FDQW
“We also suspect that most people going for a Maserati SUV want a petrol version, simply for no other reason than the sound it offers.”
The range-opening Levante is also DYDLODEOH LQ OX[XU\ RULHQWDWHG *UDQ Lusso and performance-focused *UDQ6SRUW IRUPV ERWK RI ZKLFK DUH priced from $159,990, with Mr Sealey forecasting the latter would account for a larger slice of the variant’s mix.
As reported, the entry-level Levante is motivated by the same Ferrari-built 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine as the 316kw/580nm Levante 6 ÀDJVKLS EXW LW LV LQVWHDG WXQHG WR produce 257kw of power at 5750rpm and 500Nm of torque from 1750 to 4750rpm.
Like its sibling, the base Levante is mated to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission sourced IURP *HUPDQ DXWRPRWLYH VXSSOLHU =) and Maserati’s rear-biased Q4 allwheel-drive system with a rear mechanical limited-slip differential.
As a result, the 2109kg high-rider can sprint from standstill to 100kmh in 6.0 seconds while on the way to its top speed of 251kmh.
Claimed fuel consumption on the combined cycle test ranges from 11.6 to 12.0 litres per 100 kilometres, while carbon dioxide emissions have been tested between 268 and 278 grams per kilometre.
Standard equipment includes 19inch alloy wheels wrapped in 265/50 W\UHV YHQWLODWHG GLVF EUDNHV ZLWK ÀRDW ing callipers, bi-xenon headlights and a hands-free power-operated tailgate.
Inside, an 8.4-inch touchscreen MTC infotainment system, satellite navigation, Apple Carplay and Android Auto support, digital radio, an eight-speaker sound system, a 7.0inch multi-information display, dualzone climate control, 12-way poweradjustable front seats with heating and memory functionality, hand-stitched leather upholstery, piano-black trim, and keyless entry and start feature.
Advanced driver-assist systems extend to autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, blind-spot PRQLWRULQJ WUDI¿F VLJQ UHFRJQLWLRQ hill-descent control, a reversing camera, front and rear parking sensors, cruise control, hill-start assist and tyre pressure monitoring, plus six airbags.