Hi-po Maserati Levante GTS uncovered
BY ROBBIE WALLIS | 13th Jul 2018
MASERATI has officially confirmed a high-performance GTS version of its Levante large SUV, which is being considered for an Australian debut as the company assesses whether right-hand-drive production is a viable option.
The Levante GTS packs the same 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8 engine as the Quattroporte GTS, however outputs have been dialled up from 390kW/650Nm to 404kW at 6250rpm and 730Nm from 2500-5000rpm.
Its outputs are comparable to other top-spec luxury SUV offerings such as the Range Rover Sport SVR (423kW/700Nm), Porsche Cayenne Turbo (404kW/770Nm), Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S (430kW/760Nm) and the BMW X5 M (423kW/750Nm).
The zero to 100km/h sprint can be completed in just 4.2 seconds and top speed is pegged at 292km/h, while fuel consumption stands at 13.5 litres per 100km and CO2 emissions at 313 grams per kilometre.
An eight-speed ZF automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels using Maserati’s Q4 rear-biased all-wheel-drive system, which includes a mechanical limited-slip differential on the rear axle that can lock up by 25 per cent under power and 35 per cent under release.
In order to extract the extra power, Maserati included two new twin-scroll turbochargers, redesigned cylinder heads, camshafts and valves, a new crankcase, oil pump, auxiliary belt and wiring layout, and a specific wheel design.
The GTS sits as the second most-powerful Levante in the range behind the 440kW Trofeo, which was revealed at this year’s New York motor show and is also, at this stage, not available to Australian buyers.
Suspension has been tuned for the GTS with 20-inch alloys as standard, wrapped in 265/40 front and 295/40 rear rubber. 21- or 22-inch alloys will also be available as an option.
Maserati’s Integrated Vehicle Control system has been tuned to minimise understeer and maintain optimal control of the vehicle. The front brakes have been fitted with six-piston aluminium callipers and 380mm drilled discs, while the rear gets 330mm drilled discs.
Styling-wise, the GTS is differentiated by a new front bumper, lower splitter and GTS badging, while full-matrix LED headlights are available as an option.
Inside, the GTS gains full-leather sports seats in four different colours, a redesigned leather-wrapped gear shifter, updated instrument cluster graphics, aluminium paddle shifters, velour floor mats, illuminated trunk sills and a 900W, 14-speaker harman/kardon sound system.
If it were to come to Australia, the GTS would likely be priced north of $200,000, with the range currently topping out at $179,000 before on-roads for the S GranSport/GranLusso.
Alongside the announcement of the GTS, Maserati has also detailed model-year updates for the existing Levante, Quattroporte and Ghibli ranges, which are due to arrive locally mid-next year.
The Quattroporte range gains graphic tweaks to the 8.4-inch infotainment display, redesigned gear lever and button cluster, a revised ‘Nerissimo’ black package, greater choice of upholstery, and new paint colour and wheel options.
Ghibli models add adaptive full LED matrix headlights as standard, as well as the choice of two premium sound systems and the same infotainment changes and exterior and upholstery options as the Quattroporte.
The V6-powered Levante range has been similarly updated with headlight, upholstery, infotainment, sound system and paint changes.
