The Maserati Levante SUV is now available to the Malaysian market as an updated 2019 version. For the local market, Naza Italia, the official importer and distributor for Maserati, will be offering the petrol-powered Levante S with GranSport and GranLusso trims.
Enhancements made in the Levante S include the adoption of a redesigned gearshift lever with shorter travel and improved operation. The GranSport trim presents a distinct styling theme with new front and rear bumpers that were inspired by the Levante GTS and Trofeo. For the Malaysian market, the Levante S version features 21-inch Helios wheels and a High Glass Metal Weave interior trim.
The powertrain remains untouched in this version, which means the SUV still features a 430hp 3-litre twin turbo V6 engine. Designed by Maserati Powertrain in cooperation with Ferrari, the engine is manufactured by Ferrari in Maranello and is both powerful and eco-friendly, thanks to the Auto Start-Stop function. The V6 engine’s specific torque of 194 Nm per litre is the best in the luxury SUV class, as is its specific power (144hp/l). The Levante S accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and has a top speed of 264 km/h.
In the newly enhanced Levante S, this unmistakable design has reached new levels of sportiness with the restyling of the GranSport exterior. The sport-oriented restyling is focused on the lower front fascia and the rear bumper. Alongside the sportier bumpers, the GranSport exterior is also discernible for the front and rear Black Piano inserts, the GranSport badges on the front fenders, the red brake calipers and the 21-inch Helios wheels.
While the exterior of the baseline V6 versions remains the same, the characteristic features of the luxury-oriented GranLusso trim are elegant chrome inserts in the front fascia, chrome front/rear skid plates, body colour rear spoiler, silver-painted brake calipers, 21-inch Helios alloy wheels and GranLusso badges on the fenders.
The GranLusso trim also offers the choice of full premium Italian leather, Pieno Fiore natural leather or Ermenegildo Zegna silk upholstery. It includes standard 12-way power comfort front seats with memory function, Bowers and Wilkins Surround Sound System, power-adjustable steering wheel and pedals, illuminated doorsills, parking sensors, navigation system and Soft Close Doors system.
The new Levante S is fitted with a new gearshift lever for the eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox used on all Levante versions. The redesigned component features an intuitive, dual lane shift pattern providing shorter travel and improved functionality. The driver has the option to use the gearbox in either automatic or manual mode simply by shifting the lever from right to left, while a new ‘P’ button on top sets the transmission in parking mode.
With the new gearshift lever, the driving modes cluster on the center console is even more user-friendly. The M button has been eliminated and the Off-Road mode button has taken its place leaving space for two separate buttons – instead of one – for the selection of the Sport driving mode and the Skyhook suspension sport setting. The selectable modes are Off-Road, I.C.E. (Increased Control & Efficiency) and Sport.
The MY19 Levante S has a spacious cabin that blends innovative solutions, such as the state-of-the art infotainment system that has been mildly tweaked with improved display graphics and more user-friendly climate-control functions. The button that deactivates the Start-Stop function can now be dragged and dropped on the main screen so you can access it in every menu. The electric panorama sunroof with tilt and slide functionality comes as standard for all MY19 Levante S variants offered in Malaysia.
There is a palette of eleven colours in the MY19 catalogue only for the V6 Levante versions, with a brand-new tri-coat colour, the Blu Nobile with sparkling glass flakes glimmering under the sunlight. The matt grey-by-default calipers on the baseline Levante V6 versions are painted silver on the GranLusso. The Levante GranSport is standard fitted with red painted calipers. A wide range of colours with the Maserati logo is available as an option.
The recently introduced Nerissimo package, has also been updated for the MY19 Levante. It is now available in eight specific body colours – seven of which are brand new – combining black elements (front grille, skid plates, daylight openings and door mirrors) with dark tail lights and exhaust tips. Details such as the grille upper bezel trim, the rear trunk accent, the side air vents, the Trident on grille and all Maserati badges and logos are finished in Black Chrome. The updated MY19 Nerissimo package has also adopted body- colour door handles and lower moldings and new 21-inch wheels with dark finish.
The Levante S MY19 enters Malaysia’s luxury SUV segment at the starting price of RM788,800 (inclusive of local taxes and duties) and includes 3 years Standard Warranty coverage with no mileage restriction plus a Maserati Premium Service Plus of 3 years/60,000 km whichever comes first.
