2023 Maserati Levante Modena on 2040-cars

Auto blog

2017 Maserati Model Year Preview and Updates

From a storied past, to an almost-forgotten nameplate and to what it offers today – in the guise of two four door sedans, a coupe or convertible GT and its first-ever SUV – Maserati has, over the last several years, quietly exploded into the ranks of desirable brands. And with the introduction of the all-new Levante SUV (pictured above), the Italian marque once again confounds the skeptics. MASERATI LEVANTE: The Levante, Maserati's first-ever SUV, arrives in the US marketplace at exactly the right time, as interest in all-road capability has never been higher, and high-end offerings have never been more numerous. Supplying what Maserati describes as best-in-class on-road handling in 'sport' mode and leading off-road comfort, propulsion is supplied by your choice of two V6 powertrains: a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 with 345 horsepower in the Levante, and the same basic V6 with 424 horsepower in the Levante S. GHIBLI: Maserati's most accessible model, with a base price of just over $70K, is unchanged for 2017. GRAN TURISMO COUPE/CABRIOLET: Maserati's 2+2 coupe and convertible are unchanged for 2017. QUATTROPORTE: Maserati's luxury four-door receives an exterior nip here and tuck there, along with updated infotainment inside. Available in both GranLusso and GranSport, you can enjoy sport-oriented luxury or luxury-oriented sport. And unlike its siblings, which offer either V6 powertrains or V8 powertrains, the Quattroporte allows the buyer to select one from each column.

Alfa Romeo Giulia to get Ferrari-related engine

Alfa Romeo has a long, proud history of using V6 engines in its coupes, sedans, and sports cars over the years, but as the new Giulia sedan approaches, the Italian marque is allegedly turning to Ferrari for its next six-cylinder. This is obviously not the first time a Ferrari-sourced or derived engine has been found under an Alfa's long hood. While 8C Competizione famously used a version of Ferrari's F136 V8 during its short run, the Giulia's new V6 will be offered on a much larger scale, slotting in above an entry level, four-cylinder turbo (likely the next-gen version of the 4C sports car's 1.75-liter engine). According to Autocar, the new V6 will be "specially developed for Alfa Romeo," and will be built at the Termoli engine factory alongside the new turbo four-cylinder. As for the rest of the Giulia, Autocar has been able to shine a light on a number of other details about the new midsizer. It will, thankfully, be rear-wheel drive, and designed to counter the "mostly cold and clinical" and soulless cars of the German competition, Maserati chief Harald Wester told AC. Some of the new sedan's structural elements will even be shared with Maserati's entry level model, the Ghibli. Most notable of all, though, is what the Giulia means for American consumers. After the limited-run 8C and the niche 4C, the new sedan will lead Alfa Romeo's long-awaited, large-scale return, where it will combat the popular BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Audi A4, not to mention rivals like the Cadillac ATS and Lexus IS. Look for more on the Giulia next week when it's officially revealed in Milan.

Maserati Levante SUV previewed in patent drawings

Maserati is set to become the next high-end automaker to get into the crossover game with the impending launch of the Levante, and this could be our best look at it yet. Revealed in drawings reportedly filed with the patent and trademark office in Australia, these line drawings give us an idea of what to expect from the design of the Trident marque's upcoming crossover. The styling looks fairly consistent with what we've come to expect from the Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans, only in a higher-roofed, liftback form. Evident in the design are the Modenese automaker's grille and lighting forms, its signature portal vents along the front fender, powerful rear haunches and a steeply raked tailgate. Previewed by the Kubang concepts of 2003 and 2011, the Levante will be a vital product for Maserati's expansion – just as the Bentayga will be for Bentley, the F-Pace for Jaguar, the DBX for Aston Martin and the Urus (if ever approved) for Lamborghini. Expect it to pack the same V6, V8 and diesel engines as the aforementioned existing sedans when it debuts sometime soon into the new year ahead. Related Video: