Italian stallion hits our shores with bells and whistles
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Overall though, the Levante disguises its American family relations well and pulls off a level of premium feel expected from the trident badge.
On the road it feels like a vehicle of substance. The steering is weighted perfectly, and is hydraulically assisted (thank you Maserati!) so it delivers that delicious feedback we often miss in electrically-steered cars. Our Gauteng-based launch route didn’t really test handling limits, but did demonstrate the Italian SUV’s dead-steady composure at highway speeds and on some crummy side roads in and around the Cradle.
The cabin is sealed off from the outside world in a way you’d expect from a super-luxury marque, with wind, road and tyre noise almost completely muffled out even with the biggest possible 21” rims fitted (standard is 19”).
Tick options boxes for 14-speaker Harman Kardon (R24 375) or 17-speaker Bowers & Wilkins (R89 625) stereos, and the extra effort designers have put into sound deadening becomes very worthwhile.
But it’s the Levante’s suspension system which plays the biggest role in its first class on-road feel. Standard air ride, or ‘Skyhook’ technology in Maser-speak, allows this 2200kg SUV to glide like its shocks are pumped full of fluff over pretty much any surface. This air suspension can be set to one of three firmness levels, and can raise and lower between five heights. Six, if you count the lowest easy-entry parking mode.
It’s unlikely many Levantes will see deep bush, but in its highest setting it’ll clear some fairly rocky terrain with ease. No ride heights are quoted, but from its default middle setting it can raise an extra 40mm to prevent belly scrapage. Also standard is a Q4 intelligent all-wheel drive system, which in normal conditions sends all power to the rear axle, but can apportion drive to either end in a 50/50 split when extra traction is needed.
Now the cost. Base price is R1 650 000, but a Maserati without options is a near impossibility. The two press units at launch were specced to what an average buyer would likely sign up for, and were tipped just over the R2-million mark. Thankfully Maserati SA has bundled many options into discounted packages, but it’s still possible to go overboard with carbon trim (R64 025), heated wooden steering wheels (R17 840) and alcantara headliners (R32 630) to name but a few.