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Spyshots: 2017 Maserati Levante Production Model Spied for the First Time

The Maserati Levante is one of many new models on Fiat Group's road to recovery. Being the first SUV in the history of a traditional sportscar maker, it's a little more controversial than most cars. These first spy photos of the actual production model do little to quench our thirst for knowledge, but they offer some insight.
2017 Maserati Levante Production Model 9 photos
Photo: SB-Medien
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So far, the Levante has only been testing under the guise of a mule derived from the Ghibli sedan. That awkward look is gone, but it hasn't been replaced by any Range Rover lookalike. Oh no, the production body is still very low to the ground for an SUV.

Despite the heavy camouflage, we can still tell the slope of the roof towards the front is heavily accentuated, a bit like that of the Porsche Cayenne. The rest of it is typical of the Maserati brand, as a huge grille dominates the front fascia.

Another interesting fact revealed by these spyshots is that, like the Alfa Romeo Giulia QV, the performance models will come out first. There's no point in having a four-tailpipe arrangement on a diesel engine.

Following the debut of the F-Pace, Jaguar's first crossover, and the Bentley Bentayga, acceptance of these vehicles is higher than ever. Even though some traditionalists might consider it a dilution of the brand, Maserati owners have been asking them to build an SUV for many years.

Several engines will be available: petrol diesel and eventually a PHEV

Thanks to Fiat's 5-year plan, revealed back in 2014, we know precisely what engines will be available on the Levante. There will eventually be two versions of the twin-turbo V6, one with 350 PS and the other with 450 PS (that's probably what we see in the photos). The 3.8-liter twin-turbo V8 from the Quattroporte will also be available, with 560 PS or slightly more. Finally, three available diesel engines with 250, 275 and 340 PS should prove very popular in Europe.

Recently, Maserati CEO Harald Wester also confirmed that a plug-in hybrid variant will also be available. Unless we're mistaken, it would be the first PHEV made ever made by an Italian manufacturer. But that won't happen until 2018.

For now, we're only going to focus on the 2016 debut of the Levante. Likely to take place at the Geneva Motor Show in March, it will be followed by actual deliveries much later in the year.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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