Maserati has revealed the first ‘hybrid’ version of the Levante large SUV, with the aptly named Hybrid variant expected in Australian showrooms in the fourth quarter of this year.
Just like the pioneering Ghibli Hybrid large sedan before it, the Levante Hybrid features a 48V mild-hybrid system, so it’s not on the same level as the series-parallel Toyota RAV4 Hybrid or plug-in Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV.
That said, the Levante Hybrid does represent Maserati’s second step into the electrification era, with it also featuring a 2.0-litre single-turbo petrol four-cylinder engine that produces 246kW of power at 5750rpm and 450Nm of torque at 2250rpm.
Thanks to the small electric boost provided by its belt-driven starter generator, the Levante Hybrid can sprint from a standstill to 100km/h in six seconds flat, putting it on pace with the 257kW/500Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 Levante 350.
Just like other variants of the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Range Rover Sport and Porsche Cayenne rival, the Levante Hybrid is mated to an eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission and uses an all-wheel-drive system with a rear limited-slip differential.
But to make the Hybrid stand out from the Levante crowd, Maserati has given it blue highlights inside and out, including on the brake callipers and leather stitching.
Local pricing and full specification details for the Levante Hybrid will be confirmed closer to its launch. For reference, the aforementioned Levante 350 currently kicks off the Levante range from $127,000 plus on-road costs.
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