Maserati Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Delivery dates/design updates?

Jump to Latest
21 - 40 of 55 Posts
#21 ·
Anything new? I'm looking into the Porsche Macan, and it seems to be really more sport than SUV, very different than my Audi Q5, very different. Maserati may be more sport as well, and it should be! So what's the latest?
 
#22 ·
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
Discussion starter · #23 ·
2014/08/15

To our friends from Italy (Leafclover78, Riccardo, BigFoot, ...): any news/updated information about the delivery dates for the Levante? Pretty quiet in the press so far.

Any updated designs/pictures, is the final design now approved?
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#24 ·
The final design was approved long ago. There are spy pics of some levante mules on the internet, they were taken in the area around Modena. IIRC, the first one was shot at the beginning of this year (a red mule), and the last one I saw was taken either this or last week.

EDIT: Here, this ones are from autoblog.es, they must be testing suspension and traction control, plus I see a more vertical windshield on this ghibli-franken-mule
Image

Image

Image

Image


and here's a magazine's interpretation of basically the Kubang concept with different wheels (nothing particular, but it does llustrate the drastic difference a new set of wheels can make)

Image
 
Discussion starter · #26 ·
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#30 ·
elambo said:
Why would Maserati be crazy for releasing the Levante? Details please.
Click to expand...
Because it looks dated and uninspiring; two year ago. As it looks now is going to be a mighty difficult sell at and frankly is going to bring the brand down. The competition is just too good if this is what Maserati has planned? Why would someone buy this (at similar cost) to a Range Rover, G Class, Cayenne, upcoming Bentley and Jaguar? The looks? Performance? Warranty? Financing???

There's a reason there's been silence on this model from Fiat Chrysler. They must be in crisis mode. Does Maserati even need an SUV? Does the cost to manufacture and promote warrant the gamble when sedans, coupe and convertibles have always been Maserati's core business? They are not Porsche and Porsche is not Maserati.
 
#31 ·
mosesbotbol said:
Because it looks dated and uninspiring; two year ago. As it looks now is going to be a mighty difficult sell at and frankly is going to bring the brand down. The competition is just too good if this is what Maserati has planned? Why would someone buy this (at similar cost) to a Range Rover, G Class, Cayenne, upcoming Bentley and Jaguar? The looks? Performance? Warranty? Financing???

There's a reason there's been silence on this model from Fiat Chrysler. They must be in crisis mode. Does Maserati even need an SUV? Does the cost to manufacture and promote warrant the gamble when sedans, coupe and convertibles have always been Maserati's core business? They are not Porsche and Porsche is not Maserati.
Click to expand...
If you have photos of the Levante please post. We'd love to see them!

If you have notes from Maserati's board room, with any degree of evidence to illustrate how they're sh!tting their tailored Zegna slacks, please post those as well. I'm anxious to know why they'd be in crisis mode instead of anticipation mode. I know they're actually very anxious to get this model into showrooms.

If we separate opinion & emotion from fact, what we know about the Levante is actually very little. We certainly don't know what it's going to look like based upon those photos of a Ghibli on a raised suspension.

Porsche-Volkswagen is certainly not Maserati (which is why I've never owned a Porsche-Volkswagen) and I think Maserati is beginning to make wise decisions for the strength of the company. That runs against the grain of those who want the brand to remain priced out-of-reach for most people, but it's actually good for the company, and since none of our personal cars are in jeopardy of disintegrating or falling into a black hole if a Levante exists, a stronger Maserati is only good for us. I don't want my badge of honor tarnished either, but at the end of the day I just don't care what others think. If uttering the name "Maserati" begins to lose a hint of its typical allure, I'm probably still going to sleep ok at night. Especially since Maserati's increased revenues have helped put a dealer only blocks from me, and now I can sleep in before my service appt. :thumbsup:
 
#32 · (Edited)
elambo said:
If you have photos of the Levante please post. We'd love to see them!

If you have notes from Maserati's board room, with any degree of evidence to illustrate how they're sh!tting their tailored Zegna slacks, please post those as well.
Click to expand...
I am basing in on all the same photos and press everyone else has seen. If that is it or even close; it's not looking good.
 
Discussion starter · #33 ·
mosesbotbol said:
Because it looks dated and uninspiring; two year ago. As it looks now is going to be a mighty difficult sell at and frankly is going to bring the brand down. The competition is just too good if this is what Maserati has planned? Why would someone buy this (at similar cost) to a Range Rover, G Class, Cayenne, upcoming Bentley and Jaguar? The looks? Performance? Warranty? Financing???
Click to expand...
I totally disagree. Maserati is building the Levante for obvious and legitimate reasons:

. There is a rapidly growing base of customers around the world who want high-end SUVs

. Maserati is expanding with plenty of new models and an SUV is a must for a brand with high sales expectations

. Even Bentley, Rolls Royce, Lamborghini and Aston Martin are in advanced planning to build a SUV too, they are not stupid, that's the biggest growing segment and they want more customers. The Range Rover is the standard to beat in my opinion (gorgeous design, technology, ...)

. Maserati is capable of building great vehicles (Ghibli, QP, coming Alfieri, GT), nothing different for the Levante

. Plenty of money/profits from the Levante to continue building fantastic sedans and coupes.

No one knows yet the final look of the Levante, but I bet it can be safe to say that it will look beautiful, and that the engines will include the 500hp+ engine. A high-end vehicle answering the demands of many customers around the world.

:cheers:
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#34 ·
Sunshine said:
I totally disagree. Maserati is building the Levante for obvious and legitimate reasons
Click to expand...
I never stated that Maserati shouldn't build an SUV... All I have stated, is if what we've seen pictures of is the anticipated SUV, it's going to be a failure at its anticipate price bracket. Considering spy shots of other Maserati models over the last decade or so, they tend to be true to form when slated for production.

I suspect the silence or lack of recent picture of the Levante is due to a styling revision or "back to the drawing board". We've seen other models and marque's under Sergio's tenure be delayed if they are not ready in his opinion. Why would not be the case here?
 
#36 ·
The general idea should be similar to the concept actually. I also hope they review some aspects like the hideous black plastic trim and make it a bit more aggressive, but I think that if Porsche can sell a Cayenne (not exactly a looker), then I don't see any problems with Maserati selling the Levante.
IMO, what will sell or bury this SUV is how luxurious the interiors will be: period. Will it handle great, sound great, and be powerful? I have no doubt, after all it will be based on the QP and Ghibli. But if the interiors are not on par with the best competition, people will look elsewhere. I;m not counting the Bentley here, since the price point is much higher than the Levante, but the Cayenne, RR, RRS, and Future Jag will all be in the fray with the Levante, so the trident better deliver.

According to the last 5-yr presentation slides, the engine list for the Levante will include the following options:
Gasoline V6 350hp
Gasoline V6 425hp
Gasoline V8 560+hp
Diesel V6 250hp
Diesel V6 275hp
Diesel V6 340hp

All models will be AWD.
 
#38 ·
Riccardo said:
The general idea should be similar to the concept actually. I also hope they review some aspects like the hideous black plastic trim and make it a bit more aggressive, but I think that if Porsche can sell a Cayenne (not exactly a looker), then I don't see any problems with Maserati selling the Levante.

IMO, what will sell or bury this SUV is how luxurious the interiors will be: period.
Click to expand...
Agreed. Interiors are paramount in this category, None of the German SUV's (or cars) are as styled as Maserati. Jeep's top offering has a nice interior, Maserati has stylish interiors, so I'd expect Maserati to hit the marks on interior styling.

Were interior pictures ever released?

That goes back to focusing on exterior styling. They were there if it were on the market 2-3 years ago, but right now it looks too similar to what the Asian marques are doing with their SUV's.
 
21 - 40 of 55 Posts
About this Discussion
54 Replies
9 Participants
Last post:
Sunshine
Maserati Forum
posts
447K
members
45K
Since
2003
We’re a forum to discuss the Maserati Coupé, Spyder, GranTurismo, Ghibli, Quattroporte and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
GranTurismo Coupe, Spyder, GS QP5 2003-2012 Modern Maserati New Member Introductions