Maserati confirms Levante GTS for Australia
BY JUSTIN HILLIARD | 6th Aug 2018
MASERATI Australia has confirmed the V8-powered Levante GTS for a local launch as a 2020 model, with the performance-focused large SUV expected to hit showrooms in the fourth quarter next year with a pricetag well above $200,000 before on-road costs.
According to Maserati Australia chief operating officer Glen Sealey, local anticipation has been steadily building since the prospect of a Levante GTS was first mentioned.
“From the moment the V8 Levante was hinted at, let alone revealed in the USA, we have had clients wishing to put their name down for the ultimate Maserati SUV,” he said.
“Now that it has been confirmed for our market, I have no doubt that the pace of people wishing to own a Levante GTS will only speed up.
“Given that the Levante GTS is over a year away, it is too early to provide local pricing or specification, but we expect it to be priced in line with other V8 models in the Maserati range and with a specification that clearly positions it at the pinnacle of Maserati models.”
While Maserati Australia is keeping pricing under wraps for now, GoAuto understands that the Levante GTS will be offered with a single grade that comfortably exceeds the $200,000 barrier.
Given that its Quattroporte GTS sibling commands a $71,000 premium over the Quattroporte S in GranSport and GranLusso forms, the Levante GTS could cost about $250,000.
For reference, the 316kW/580Nm Levante S currently tops the SUV range, priced from $169,990, with its GranSport and GranLusso grades incurring an additional $10,000 charge.
The Levante GTS ups the performance ante with its Ferrari-built 3.8-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine that produces 404kW of power at 6250rpm and 730Nm of torque from 2500 to 5000rpm.
As a result, the Levante GTS can sprint from standstill to 100km/h in 4.2 seconds while on the way to its top speed of 292km/h. An eight-speed ZF torque-convertor automatic transmission sends drive to all four wheels via Maserati’s rear-biased Q4 system with a rear-axle limited-slip differential.
Claimed fuel consumption on the combined cycle test is 13.5 litres per 100 kilometres, while carbon dioxide emissions have been tested at 313 grams per kilometre.
However, as previously reported, the Levante GTS is outmuscled by the Levante Trofeo, which uses the same engine with a more potent, 440kW/730Nm tune that helps it hit triple figures in 3.9s and achieve a terminal velocity of 300km/h. The Levante Trofeo is yet to be confirmed for Australia.
When it arrives, the Levante GTS will face competition from the 423kW/750Nm BMW X5 M ($188,729), 430kW/760Nm Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S ($192,840), 423kW/700Nm Range Rover Sport SVR ($238,200) and 404kW/770Nm Porsche Cayenne Turbo ($239,000).
Pricing and full specifications for the Levante GTS will be released by Maserati Australia closer to its expected arrival in late 2019.
Sales of the Levante have declined this year, with 230 examples sold to the end of July – a 20.1 per cent decrease over the 288 deliveries made during the same period in 2017.
As a result, the Levante is currently placed 11th in the $70,000-plus large-SUV segment, trailing the BMW X5 (1691 units), Range Rover Sport (1579), Audi Q7 (1389), Mercedes-Benz GLE (1240) and Lexus RX (1212), among others.
