Bookings open for the Maserati Levante in Malaysia

After initially being showcased at the Geneva Motor Show, bookings have now opened for Maserati’s first SUV offering, in Malaysia. Final prices are expected to be unveiled when the car is launched later this year.

Maserati’s Levante will now lock horns in the Malaysian market with other premium SUVs like the Bentley Bentayga, Porsche Cayenne and Lamborghini’s upcoming Urus. Power for the Levante will come from either a 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 with 350bhp and 500Nm, or a 430bhp petrol motor that makes 580Nm of torque. Both motors will be paired to an eight-speed automatic ‘box with an all-wheel drive system. While the smaller motor does the 0-100kmph run in 6sec, the stronger engine displaces the 100kmph mark in just 5.2 seconds.

Maserati’s first SUV gets a steel and aluminium chassis that uses a front double wishbone and a five-link rear suspension that boasts of a 50:50 weight distribution. Active air suspension with five ride heights and six different modes is standard on this vehicle. Safety features include adaptive cruise control with stop and go, blind spot alert, lane departure warning, forward collision warning, rear and surround view camera, and park assist.

Meanwhile, Maserati is expected to launch the Levante in India in the first quarter of 2017.