GENEVA MOTOR SHOW: Levante better than Cayenne, says Maser

Maserati boss Harald Wester says the historic Italian sports car brand's first SUV, the Levante, is "significantly better" than the current benchmark in its class, Porsche's Cayenne.

Designed to steal customers from big, dominant German models like the Audi Q7, BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE, the Levante made its global debut at this week's Geneva motor show and first deliveries commence in Australia late this year.

Initially available only with turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 petrol and diesel engines, with a turbo V8 and Maserati's first plug-in hybrid powertrain to follow, the Levante is the first in a wave of inaugural entries in the lucrative premium SUV market by established luxury brands.

Soon to follow will be Bentley, Jaguar, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin and even Bentley and Lamborghini.

Asked if the Levante will compete with the sportiest model in the segment to date, the Cayenne, Wester said: "Sure. If you mean customers will choose between Cayenne and our product, then yes.

"If you ask if Cayenne is competitive then it's a different story. I will always tell you our car is significantly better and I'm totally convinced."

The Levante, full details and images (including interior shots for the first time) of which were revealed at Geneva, will also be significantly more expensive than its chief German rivals, all of which open from just over $100,000 in six-cylinder diesel form.

"We're going to be well above the Germans," said Maserati's Australian chief Glenn Sealey.

"It's still a Maserati. Exclusivity is key. It's a different offering, with a better specification, including air suspension and four-wheel drive as standard."

Suggesting a starting price of anything up to $150,000, Sealey pointed to the price premium of Maserati's entry-level Ghibli, which starts at around $140,000, over its large German sedan rivals, all of which are priced from around $80,000.

In line with its competitors, he said the range-opening 202kW/600Nm diesel would be the biggest seller (up to 80 per cent of the circa-9000 European luxury SUVs sold here annually are diesel).

It's not clear whether both Ferrari-built V6 petrol models will be available in Australia, but it's possible the base 257kW/500Nm version will be overlooked in favour of the 316kW/580Nm Levante S.

"I don't know whether we'll have all power levels of the V6 petrol engine in all markets ... but we will have for sure diesel and petrol," said Wester.

The global Maserati director confirmed the V8 from the Quattroporte and an electrified drivetrain – Maserati's first ever – will be produced for both left- and right-hand drive markets.

Asked about the Levante V8, Wester said: "Not yet. There are plans. The [sales] numbers there are very small, but we have a wonderful 3.8-litre V8 twin-turbo engine. I have already driven a prototype so never say never."

He said the plug-in version would employ a petrol-electric powertrain developed for a variety of models across the Fiat Chrysler group, but indicated it was some time away.

"Obviously this [hybrid technology] is not something Maserati alone will provide. It is a group-wide program we are working on over the last couple of years and this is going to happen sooner or later.

"I can exclude diesel hybrids for the time being."

Delayed by more than two years because Maserati went back to the drawing board after changing its platform from the Jeep Grand Cherokee's to the Ghibli/Quattroporte's, the Levante also brings the long-awaited debut of active driver aids for the century-old Italian brand.

"Levante is the first significant step into active safety – we will start with the Levante," said Wester. "We have electronic cruise control with stop and go, lane departure warning, forward collision warning and surround cameras."

Wester said lane-keeping assistance would be part of the next step in Maserati's belated rollout of advanced driver safety aids.

"We are working on these technologies and sooner or later they will be available on our cars. All this will be based on group wide competencies."

Wester has long said the Levante will boost Maserati's global sales by more than 50 per cent to 50,000 sales, but Sealey says it will double the car maker's Australian and New Zealand volume, from 595 last year to more than 1000.

"We expect pretty big things," he said. "It will be our best seller and we'd hope it will double sales."

For the record, the Levante Diesel is claimed to hit 100km/h in 6.9 seconds and 230km/h and has NEDC fuel consumption of 7.2L/100km.

The (base V6 petrol) Levante claims 0-100km/h pace in six seconds, a 251km/h top speed and 10.7L/100km efficiency, while Levante S revises those numbers to 5.2 seconds, 264km/h and 10.9L/100km, and features larger 19-inch alloy wheels and Brembo brakes.

All three models come with an eight-speed automatic transmission, Q4 all-wheel drive with torque vectoring and mechanical self-lock rear differential, five-mode air-sprung double-wishbone front/five-link rear suspension and electronic Skyhook adaptive dampers.

Naturally, interior luxuries include full leather upholstery, an 8.4-inch colour touch-screen infotainment system and the option of Bowers & Wilkins sound, Zenya silk trim, and Luxury and Sports packages.

Maserati claims the five-seat Levante, which is now in production at the company's refurbished Mirafiori plant in Italy ahead of first European deliveries in May, has 50/50 front/rear weight balance and class-leading interior space and aerodynamics.

It measures a sizeable 5003mm long, 1968mm wide and 1679mm high, rides on a 3004mm wheelbase, has 580 litres of luggage space, kerb weights ranging from 2109 and 2205kg, a 0.31Cd drag coefficient and, according to Maserati, the lowest centre of gravity in its class.

Unlike any other Maserati, the Levante comes standard with Hill Descent Control, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Blind Spot Alert, Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Rear View Camera, Surround View Camera and Park Assist.