Ling of one of its classics. Katy Wheeler put the Italian stallions to the test

ors that move at a glacial No problem. Switch to mode, a fluid shift which y shows off the model’s ier side, and the three liin turbo V6-powered diegine (made in the Ferrari ry, no less) sails you past thly, whilst giving the enomething to really growl . If Maserati had a sound, this would be it. is is an automatic car more than confident in gh-tech abilities, but if river wants to really take ol gear-shifts can be controlled manually, with either the elongated gearshift paddles besides the steering column or by using the gear lever.

Despite this being a larger car than I’m used to driving I didn’t feel as though I was perched too high in the seat, thanks to the 12-way adjustable front seats you feel as though it’s been moulded to your shape.

For those after more personalisation, however, there are luxury and sport options for more customisation.

If the majestic Maserati itself isn’t enough to keep you entertained, the new model boasts a 8.4” high-resolution screen on its central dashboard. The new infotainment system has all the bells and whistles and is compatible with both the Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring functions.

After a morning on the magnificent Moors, we swapped the acceleration of the Quattroporte for the strength of the Levante for an off-roading session behind the historic stone walls of the Duncombe Park estate in Helmsley.

Leaving the mighty country pile behind us, and after raising the suspension, we headed for the tricky terrain of this vast estate.

The Levante, named after a wind in the Mediterranean, is the brand’s first ever SUV in its 103-year history. Launched at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show, it’s enabled Maserati to access the largest luxury segment in the world as part of the brands’s global growth plan.

Though it still features the typical Maserati approach to craftsmanship, including wood and plush leather interior trim details and a muscular coupestyle body, it’s been built with competitive off-road capabilities. In keeping with Maserati’s ethos on personalisation, interiors can be tailored to individual tastes, with no less than 28 interior colour combinations.

Standard highlights, however, include an 8.4” touch screen, base audio system with eight speakers, cruise control, dual zone climate system, wipers with rain sensor and keyless entry.

The driver can choose between four drive modes: normal, I.C.E, (increased control and efficiency) sport and off-road.

The SUV, and its 21” wheels (there’s a range of size options) laughed in the face of the estate’s mud tracks with a firm grip on the ascent of the steep gradients and a sophisticated hill descent function which gives the driver nothing to think about but the wheel.

As Maserati aims to build on its racing heritage, this may be the model to drive the brand forward whilst still maintaining its Italian charisma.