The same 2.0 litre 48 V mild hybrid engine in the Ghibli will now feature in the Levante SUV.
It really does seem that every automaker is jumping onto the electrification train these days. That is because even Maserati, a brand synonymous with V8-engined grand tourers and supercars, has recently announced that it will now be offering a mild hybrid powertrain in its Levante SUV.
Dubbed rather misleadingly as just the Levante Hybrid, the trident marque’s first electrified SUV that made its recent debut at the ongoing 2021 Shanghai Auto Show has been touted to (naturally) be more efficient as compared its purely fuel-burning counterparts. Though the bigger takeaway with this new electrified powertrain in this Maserati would perhaps be the manufacturer’s claim that it the Levante Hybrid is ‘even more agile and fun to drive’ than its solely petrol and diesel (yes, such a thing exists) drinking variants.
Much of this supposed enhanced driving pleasure has been attributed to the fact that the 48 V mild hybrid powertrain in the Levante Hybrid is supposedly significantly lighter than the conventional six cylinder engines that are typically found under the hood of the Maserati SUV. The mild hybrid battery pack that has been placed at the rear of the SUV for a perfect 50:50 weight distribution has also helped somewhat in the cause too.
Now speaking about this mild hybrid powertrain in more detail, the Levante Hybrid essentially shares the same engine as what is to be found in the Ghibli Hybrid launched last year. Featuring a 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder that is paired with a belt starter-generator (BSG), this electrified Maserati SUV supposedly is able to send a combined 330 hp and 450 Nm of torque to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
Delving deeper into the performance specs of this Levante Hybrid, this electrified trident-bashed SUV with its eBooster electric motor actually manages to match the 0-100 km/h time of its purely petrol drinking twin-turbocharged 3.0 litre V6 sibling at a claimed 6.0 seconds. Rather impressively too, this eco-friendly SUV supposedly manages a respectable V-Max of 240 km/h and is said to still emit the traditional Maserati trademark growl ‘without the use of amplifiers’.
Moving away from the mechanicals and onto the exterior of the Levante Hybrid, this eco-friendly Maserati SUV is distinguished from the rest of the pack with a new Azzurro Astro exterior hue and subtle blue detailing on various exterior trim pieces like the side air ducts, the brake calipers and the C-pillar trident. The blue theme continues within with blue contrast stitching, as well as a new logo on its infotainment system.
Continuing on the subject of the infotainment system, this updated 8.4-inch unit that debuts Levante Hybrid gains the new Maserati Connect program that enables Amazon Alexa compatibility and a host of other connectivity features. This mild-hybrid Maserati also features an improved driver assist suite, which now brings with it Active Drive Assist adaptive cruise control.
Set to go on sale sometime later in July along with the other facelifted Levante variants, prices for this mild-hybrid model has yet to be officially announced yet. Conservative estimates suggest though it should sit somewhere within the middle of the range with a price tag in the UK of around £70,000 (RM 400,000).
PRESS RELEASE: The Maserati Levante Hybrid is presented to the world in both a physical and digital World Premiere event. In fact, the dual nature of Maserati is shown at the Shanghai Auto Show for its live presentation, and, for the rest of the world, in a virtual launch event on the brand’s website.
With the Brand’s first electrified SUV, Maserati takes a major step forward in its strategy for electrification, which began last year with the Ghibli Hybrid.
“Faster. Greener. Unique”, Levante Hybrid is faster than a diesel, more sustainable than diesel or gasoline, and unique in its specific characteristics.
The Maserati SUV, which has already made an impact in the history of the Brand with its record-breaking figures, now presses ahead into a future in which all new Trident models will be electrified.
Maserati is innovative by nature, and with Levante it pursues the philosophy behind its entry into the world of electrification: the aim of improving performance while staying true to the Brand’s values, delivering speed and agility while saving fuel and reinforcing the Trident’s dedication to driving pleasure and luxury. The result is a hybrid SUV that retains the distinctive roar of every Maserati.
Levante Hybrid combines the 4 cylinder, 2 litre engine with a 48 volt Hybrid system to recover energy during deceleration and braking. The hybrid car weighs less than the 6 cylinder engine equivalent (both diesel and gasoline), and above all has an even better weight distribution since the battery is placed in the rear without compromising the load capacity and optimally balancing the masses of the vehicle. All designed to make Levante Hybrid even more agile and fun to drive.
Thanks to a maximum power output of 330 hp and torque of 450 Nm delivered from just 2,250 rpm, the performance data of the new Levante Hybrid, only available with all-wheel drive, is impressive: a top speed of over 240 km/h and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 6 seconds.
In terms of appearance, the Levante Hybrid launch version is characterised by a new metallic tri-coat colour called Azzurro Astro, available as part of the Brand’s customisation programme, Maserati Fuoriserie.
Other exterior and interior details contribute to this car’s immediately recognisable design: some are in blue, the shade chosen to identify hybrid cars, already used by Maserati on Ghibli Hybrid.
On the exterior, blue characterises the three iconic side air ducts, the brake calipers and the C-pillar logo. The same blue shade reappears inside the car, specifically on the embroidered seams of the seats.
Levante Hybrid is connected, thanks to the new Maserati Connect program. Having your Maserati connected at all times enables an eye to be kept on the car’s health, and Maserati Connect will alert the driver when a service is due, improving the customer care experience. With a Smartphone or Smartwatch, drivers can stay in contact with their car via the Maserati Connect App; this is also possible from home via their virtual personal assistant (Amazon Alexa & Google Assist).
Special guests at the digital premiere of Levante Hybrid were David Beckham, the new Maserati Brand Global Ambassador, and Dardust, with an exclusive soundtrack.
