Your Maserati SUV is (almost) here

[BoRINg]

Levante SUV already in production, but U.S. deliveries will have to wait a few months

Maserati released the first official images of the long-promised Levante SUV, the marque's first foray into a segment long ignored by premium Italian brands (we're going to put the Lamborghini LM002 into the military vehicle category).

The general outlines of the Levante have been known for some time (it wasn't going to take the Cadillac Escalade head on), though in details it still differs heavily from the Kubang concept that the automaker presented at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show.

There are relatively few design surprises here -- the Levante was expected to mimic the proportions of the Porsche Cayenne while adopting details from the Ghibli. The Levante features the now-familiar corporate fascia, stretched vertically, in addition to a taller grille housing the family Trident.

 

The Levante's shoulder line ends with nicely sculpted haunches over the rear wheels (that remind us of the same surface feature on the Bentley Bentayga), while the rear fascia wears the now-familiar taillight design featured on other Maserati models. The D-pillar is thick and rakish, perhaps limiting cargo space, while the rear window is topped by the now-stylish spoiler cap.

Expect Maserati's SUV to be powered by 3.0-liter V6 engines in two states of tune producing 350 hp and 430 hp, while Europe will also receive a diesel version. These aren't official specs; we'll have to wait for the Geneva motor show to get rolling before Maserati drops complete details.

Maserati has said the Levante will have an eight-speed automatic transmission and an electronically controlled suspension with adjustable damping and air springs. The eight-speed transmission will send power to all four wheels via the brand's Q4 all-wheel-drive system, tuned in the Levante more for grip than off-roadability.

The Levante will go on sale in Europe this spring, and will make its way to the States later this year. Maserati should announce general pricing at Geneva, but don't expect U.S. MSRP and options until later.