The semi-large SUV (Sport Utility Car) of the Italian luxury car company Maserati is well known as a sports car engine SUV. Equipped with either a 3-liter (liter) V6 twin-turbo engine or a 3.8-liter V8 twin-turbo engine (based on gasoline model), both engines are manufactured and delivered by Italian sports car company Ferrari. The V6 engine was designed by Maserati, but many parts of the Ferrari engine are used.
If the Maserati sedan, Gibli, and Quattroporte are high-end sports car sedans that can travel downtown while driving, Levante is a vehicle that extends the range of outdoor activity while maintaining driving performance. .
The Maserati SUV, Levante. / Reporter Cho Gwi-dong
Tried the Maserati Levante. The shipping model is the most basic model, equipped with a 3-liter gasoline engine with a maximum power of 350 hp (ps) and a maximum torque of 51.0 kg.m. It’s the same engine, but the performance is slightly lower than the Levante S with 430 horsepower and the Levante GTS equipped with a 550 horsepower V8 engine, but it makes no difference that it has a sports car engine . Levante launched a model equipped with a 3L displacement diesel engine last year.
I was surprised at how big the car was when I picked up the Levante test drive and parked it. The elegant exterior with smooth curves has forgotten that the total length of the car exceeds 5 meters (5005 mm). Levante length is approximately 75 to 80mm longer than Porsche Cayenne (4926mm) and Mercedes-Benz GLE (4930mm). The overall width (1980mm) is slightly narrower than Cayenne (1983mm) and GLE (2020mm). After placing the car in the so-called “built” apartment parking, more than 15 years after its completion, I had some trouble considering the length of Levante, which is 5 meters long.
The Maserati SUV, Levante. / Reporter Cho Gwi-dong
The interior is luxurious to match Maserati’s reputation. The hand-stitched leather seats were comfortable, and the use of wood and plastic fit the luxury SUV. Especially in the backseat, the fluffy texture was impressive. Even in the middle of the back seat, I thought I could ride a seat without much discomfort. The wheelbase of Maserati (distance between the center of the front wheel and the center of the rear wheel) is 3004 mm, which is longer than the Cayenne (2895 mm) and GLE (2995 mm). In addition to the long wheelbase, the space is arranged as rear seats as far back as possible. It is designed to feel the space of the driver and passengers.
The gear knob around the transmission and the side of the armrest door are also elegant and luxurious. A great change of metal paddles, clutch and brakes for a sports car give you a sports car. However, the navigation system and operation switch of the air conditioner underneath had the impression that it was outdated due to the vehicle launched in the last 1-2 years.
The Maserati SUV, Levante. / FMK
Levante’s boot capacity is 580L. Typically, it does not provide the ample cargo space that SUVs are equipped with. This is because the rear seat is placed in the rear design that feels the coupe style. However, considering that the Cayenne direct competition model has a 625L coupe model and an overall 645L model, there is no significant difference. Since the space occupied by a high-performance engine is large, the volume of the boot is inevitably reduced.
He traveled from Yeongdeungpo, Seoul to Imjingak, Munsan-eup, Paju-si, Gyeonggi-do. Total mileage is about 140 km. This is the route that is primarily occupied by car-only roads, such as expressways. When driving in the city at low speed, I deliberately opened the window and drove the car, and the distinctive Maserati exhaust sound was clearly heard. The treble and bass parts were clearly different from the exhaust sounds of different vehicles. Even the driver’s seat could feel the vibration caused by the noise from the exhaust. When I closed the window, the driver’s seat fell silent as a lie. The identity of Maserati has been revealed, developing a powered transmission by introducing musicians to create a unique exhaust sound.
The Maserati SUV, Levante. / Reporter Cho Gwi-dong
Even at high speeds of over 100 km / h, the true value of Maserati was revealed. Even at high speed, I felt like I was hitting the ground. Stable driving was possible even when turning the road or turning the vehicle. The driver’s seat is in a tall SUV, but it feels like a high-performance sedan. Levante’s vehicle weight is well balanced from side to side, and the vehicle’s height and suspension are adjusted according to driving conditions. It is the secret of having an athletic performance equivalent to that of a sports car.
Acceleration was also excellent. Even if I stepped on the clutch a little, I felt the vehicle go straight. Acceleration performance was just as good compared to that of a normal vehicle, or the speed would increase to 60 ~ 80 km without my knowledge. When I stepped on the clutch to the end of the highway, the vehicle sped up effortlessly and the surrounding landscape instantly came to point. I realized why Maserati tried to add a unique sports car sensitivity to the SUV, and what satisfaction it would give drivers.
