Maserati Levante Hybrid, the Trident SUV, is now also a hybrid.

Maserati Levante Hybrid, the Trident SUV, is now also a hybrid.

A 48 V electrical system supports the 2.0. With 330 HP overall, the performance and driving experience remain "like Maserati."

The push towards electrification now affects more and more segments. Until a few years ago, an (almost) exclusive prerogative of city cars and low-displacement cars is now a "must-have" also for luxury cars with powerful petrol and diesel engines.

The Houses have discovered how to perfectly marry the thermal unit with the electric one in the various mild, complete, and plug-in hybrid versions.

For its models, Maserati has chosen the "lightest" electrification. The future of the Trident was started with the Ghibli Hybrid and continues now with the Levante Hybrid presented at the Shanghai Motor Show.

An electric "push" in every situation

The Levante powertrain is borrowed from the Ghibli Hybrid and consists of a 2-liter 4-cylinder heat engine supported by a 48 Volt system that allows energy to be recovered during braking.

In this architecture, the BSG (Belt Starter Generator) performs the function of an alternator "sending" the energy acquired during deceleration directly to the battery located in the luggage compartment. The battery powers the electric compressor (called e-Booster) which supplies the extra point to the engine.

In essence, the e-Booster supports the classic turbocharger in delivering power at low revs. In the Sport driving mode, the extra boost ensures more excellent responsiveness of the car, while in the Normal, the electric unit gives balance to consumption and performance.

All this translates into a reduction in CO2 emissions of 18% compared to the homologated 350hp 3.0 petrol version and 3% compared to the 250hp 3.0 diesel, according to WLTP data.

Precisely, the engine delivers 330 hp and a torque of 450 Nm, of which 90% is already available at 1750 pm. The performance remains actual sports with a top speed of over 240 km/h and 0-100 km/h covered in 6 seconds.

The values ​​are practically identical to the 350 HP petrol version, but with consumption reduced by 18%. The sailing function also contributes to the efficiency of the Levante Hybrid. At constant speed, the car "sails" by deactivating the cylinders in the Advanced Efficiency driving mode.

Despite the hybrid switch, Maserati purists will not be disappointed. The company ensures that the sound has not undergone any changes and that no amplifiers are used. Furthermore, since the battery is positioned in the rear area, the weight balance is not altered

Engine: mild hybrid BSG 48V

Displacement: 1,998 cc

Bore x Stroke: 84x90 mm

Compression ratio: 9.5: 1

Cylinders: 4

Injection: direct at 200 bar

Turbo: mono-scroll with e-Booster

Multiair: 1 camshaft

Battery: 48V lithium ions of 0.5 kWh

Power: 330 hp @ 5,750 rpm

Torque: 450 Nm @ 4.000 rpm

Gearbox: ZF 8-speed automatic

Drive: all-wheel with LSD

Suspensions: front quadrilaterals, post multilink.

Tires: 265/50 R19

Luggage compartment: 580 liters

Tank: 80 liters

Weight: 2090 kg

0-100 km/h: 6 seconds

Velocity max: 240+ km/h

Consumption: Waiting for WLTP certification

CO2: 231-252 g/km

How it changes inside and out

The Maserati hybrid SUV is distinguishable by some details that characterize the exterior and interior. The elements in cobalt blue describe the hybrid versions, and we find them on the side air intakes, on the brake calipers, and the logo on the rear pillar. The same color is located in the seams that embroider the seats.

The Hybrid variant is available in the GT version, which comes with the Grand Luxury aesthetic details and the Sport Pack available. In the GT, we find the chrome finishes on the bumpers and the grille and the GT lettering positioned near the side air intakes. On the other hand, the interiors see the presence of Standard Grain leather and elements in Piano Black.

The GT is offered as standard with a 180 W audio system and eight speakers. The 14-speaker Harman Kardon and 900W amplifier and 17-speaker 1280W Ultra-Premium Surround Sound Bowers & Wilkins are available.

The Levante Hybrid was presented with the new metallic blue color called Azzurro Astro, added to the colors already available for the Traditional Levante. Also, the color range will soon see the addition of Evolution Gray, already seen on the Ghibli Hybrid.

Sporty and off-road

In the Levante Hybrid, we find all the technical solutions mounted on the traditional versions of the SUV. There is, therefore, no lack of Q4 intelligent all-wheel drive, which, starting from a rear setting, has the aim of automatically sending power to the front wheels if poor grip is detected on the road surface.

Also present are the LSD differential on the rear axle and torque vectoring. Specifically, the latter distributes more torque to the outer wheels while slightly braking the inner ones to improve the driving experience.

Even in the Hybrid version, the Levante retains its properties as a car for the not-too-demand off-road vehicle. The geometry of the air suspension is taken from the Ghibli but with significant changes in SUV optics. Among the adjustments, we find an increase in the stroke and springs re-adjusted to handle heavier uses.

In addition to improving comfort, the suspension automatically lowers the car when driving at medium-high speeds to reduce aerodynamic drag, reduce fuel consumption and emissions and improve stability with a lower center of gravity.

The driver can still manually adjust the height in different configurations by switching from Aero 1 mode (-20 mm compared to the starting height) up to Off-Road 2 (+40 mm for a total of 247 mm of ground clearance) most suitable to tackle the off-road.

Technology for safety and entertainment

In the Maserati Levante Hybrid, technology is also present in the driver assistance systems. Active Drive Assist is active up to 145 km/h and combines adaptive cruise control with lane maintenance to make the car travel by adjusting the speed independently.

The system uses a radar and a camera that keep the Levante in trajectory and a safe distance from the vehicle in front. In any case, the driver must always keep his hands on the steering wheel and intervene to take control of the car.

The 8.4" central screen incorporates the latest generation of the Maserati Intelligent Assistant. The infotainment system uses the Android operating system to make the various functions more intuitive and straightforward.

Furthermore, the Levante Hybrid is also fully connected thanks to the Maserati Connect program. It can use The app from smartphones and smartwatches or through the Amazon Alexa and Google Assist virtual assistants. The application allows you to have real-time information on your Maserati, use Alexa's services when on board, and constantly update navigator maps.