On a recent trip to Silverstone, I was fortunate to see the new Maserati Levante on their stand at the event.
We could not drive it so after a thorough going over, i thought i would write this review on the car from an aesthetics and practicality point of view.
In the UK the Levante will be available with a 3L Diesel engine made by Maserati themselves. This engine will produce 271 BHP and 442 lb ft of torque. It will also do 0-62 in 6.9 seconds and drag itself all the way to 143 mph. It will also do all this whilst returning in the region of 39 mpg. not bad for an SUV. There are also rumours of a V6 petrol being added to the range as well! This car, sorry SUV, is also availabe with Maserati’s Skyhook suspension system. I will not bore you with the technicalities of this, but safe to say it sounds to me like something that can go wrong, easily!
On to the looks. Its is strikingly gorgeous. if you were buying and SUV on looks alone you would buy this!!! Starting at the front, the aggressive open grill gives this car some serious road presence. The headlights are thins and un assuming but will light up the road like a summer’s day
The Side profile is very reminiscent of the Infinit QX70 ( Which is around £20000 cheaper). In this colour the rich paint highlighted and provided definition to the chrome accent pieces, the huge wheels fill the arches and add to the stance of this vehicle.
Around the back the beauty continues. A subtle high line boot spoiler adds to the curves leaving the person driving the car behind in no doubt this is a Maserati!
Inside there is a feel of pure quality. The seats are comfortable without being too hugging. There is a good mix of leather and wood to make you feel like you are in a top end automobile. The dash is well laid out and functional with enough toys to keep you busy.
But this car is not without its issues. an optional extra with the car is a tow bar. Would you want to be seen towing anything in this car? I wouldn’t. It’s not that type of vehicle. Also, whilst it does have various ride height settings, its not a serious off road vehicle which is going to allow you to replace your Discovery. Also, as an offroad car, that gaping front grill is an issue. Any decent size rock or piece of debris is going to get through and cause some serious to damage to the air shutter aero system located behind and one presumes the radiator behind that!
Next is the interior. Do yourself a favour and don’t spec it like this one. The dark finish with the pine wood gave me the first impression that it came from Ikea! Spec a dark wood or carbon finish please.
The final issue is the boot. It’s too small!. If I brought this car I would want to go to Cornwall, Scotland or even France with my Dad and a friend to play golf. Pulling up to any golf club car park in this would set you apart from everyone. but you would not get 3 sets of clubs in the boot, let along luggage. In fact if I wanted to just get my bag in to take to Far Grange it would have to put the back seats flat! These are big compromises for spending £60000 on a car. The F-Pace may be a better option.
My assessment of this car is simple. Would I have one – YES! The sheer beauty of this car sells it to me. Would I drive it off-road – NO WAY! in reality very few will ever do more off roading than a speed bump in Tesco. If I brought one it would certainly be for Sam to use and I would have to have a GranCabro MC for me to drive! Maybe Maserati will lend me a Levante to do a proper driving review and give me the opportunity to eat my words on some of the negatives.
Finally, a piece of advice to all car companies. If you are going to bring a car to an event and try to sell them, please don’t bring left hand drive cars to a right hand drive market.
Until Next Time…
