+Mirumir Subscriber¹ Posted August 30, 2016 Subscriber¹ Share Posted August 30, 2016 Quote First Drive: 2017 Maserati Levante More of a tall wagon than a trucky SUV, the Maserati Levante hits the sweet spot for enthusiasts and brand snobs alike. – Carmel, California Is there any logical reason for Maserati to build the Levante, the first sport-utility vehicle to emerge from an Italian performance car manufacturer? Ask a contatore di fagiolo in Modena, and it’s clear: the brand needs working capital to continue to build true sports cars, and an SUV is the path toward the ducats. When it comes to SUVs from unexpected manufacturers (i.e. performance brands), my expectations tend to be low. The race is no longer to build “a truck,” but to fashion a natural, truck-like extension of the brand. And Maserati, just like Rolls-Royce and Lamborghini, probably thinks it’s time that you stopped asking why a sports car brand also builds SUVs. I’m thinking out loud, as I toss the Levante around a narrow stretch of road that snakes through the hills of the Monterey peninsula that’s a veritable Nürburgring for central California. In the first decreasing-radius, uphill turn, I drop down a gear and let the Ferrari-developed engine sing, hugging the inside while avoiding a precipitous, unguarded drop down the mountain. The Levante thinks nothing of taking on a downhill hairpin that would flummox a performance sedan of the same size, and it’s unfazed by elevation changes, wide-open stretches, and a sweeping corner. All this, while I’m practically surrounded by invitingly touchable leather more appropriate for handbags and gloves, coddled over eight inches above the ground. Roads like this one are meant to allow sports cars to hustle, which is why it was a perfect fit for a first drive of the Levante. As I rounded the second hairpin, downshifting from second to first gear, the engine screaming and the exhaust note popping, everything made sense. This is just a taller Maserati. And it’s extremely likable, right away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T3X4S Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 Like that leather wrap Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morisato Posted August 31, 2016 Share Posted August 31, 2016 http://www.hiscoxgroup.com/news/press-releases/archive/2008/02-09-08.aspx?p=1 If you're a single male looking to get a luxury vehicle, be sure it's a Maserati. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+JHBrown Subscriber¹ Posted August 31, 2016 Subscriber¹ Share Posted August 31, 2016 Looks like an Infiniti FX mated with a Porsche Cayenne. +Mirumir 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Mirumir Subscriber¹ Posted October 1, 2016 Author Subscriber¹ Share Posted October 1, 2016 On 8/31/2016 at 6:15 AM, JHBrown said: Looks like an Infiniti FX mated with a Porsche Cayenne. I thought exactly the same except I had Porsche Macan in my mind +JHBrown 1 Share Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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