Here's why Maserati thinks its new Levante will be a hit in SA

[FearLess]

Cape Town - It’s rare for a luxury automaker not to build an SUV. Automakers such as Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz and BMW have been building premium SUVs for decades, while newcomers to the segment include Porsche and Jaguar.

While these brands are continuously aiming to improve their products and set new standards and benchmarks, Maserati has silently been building its own SUV - the new Levante.

The Italian automaker's first SUV is set to arrive in South Africa later in 2016.

The Levante

The Levante name is derived from a Mediterranean wind that is as imposing as it is potentially dangerous to mariners. When Maserati decided to build its first-ever SUV, it knew the vehicle had to be special and extraordinarily good.

The Levante will be built in small numbers and challenge other luxury SUVs in terms build quality, premium materials used and overall execution.

READ: Maserati SA solidifies itself as independent Italian brand

This is by no means an easy feat, considering that this SUV will tread new grounds for the automaker and venture into territories dominated by well-established rivals.

So what does the Levante have that’ll give it an edge?

Overview

The Levante has not yet been officially launched in SA but has been unveiled to potential customers. First indications are that this may just be a stellar model for the Italian company, with the first deliveries expected in December 2016.

The Levante will initially be powered by a 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine (202kW/600Nm) mated to an eight-speed ZF gearbox, only. Maserati SA has yet to confirm whether its V6 petrol will be added to the range. 

The chassis of the SUV has been built at the company’s headquarters in Modena, Italy; exclusively for use in the Levante. Keen followers of the Levante’s progress will recall the Kubang - a concept model from a few years back that was based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The Kubang, or rather the Grand Cherokee, would have formed the basis of the Levante, but Maserati’s break-away from the Fiat-Chrysler Group forced the company to build its own SUV from the ground-up.