MASERATI

Levante Hybrid test drive

A Maserati is a rare sight on the roads, which can largely be attributed to the fact that they are only now opening up to the middle category, which promises large(er) numbers with their Grecale model, and it also doesn't help that they have slept a little on electrification. In this price category, paying for fuel is not a problem, but due to public opinion, hybrid technology is already expected. Of course, it can be said that they are focusing on the next level of development, i.e. they are developing battery-electric models called Folgore (lightning in Italian), with which customers can expect double the performance compared to today - their recently presented pre-chamber Nettuno V6 biturbo can have 500-600 horsepower. and with regard to electric cars, there are rumors of a system output of 800-1100 horsepower - but we have to wait another 2-3 years for these cars.

In the meantime, they started the transition from the bottom, so the 350 horsepower V6 biturbo of the Ghibli and Levante models was replaced with the 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbo engine already known from other models of the Fiat concern, which in this case has a power of 330 horsepower. Of course, Maserati acted according to its own philosophy here too, so the 48-volt mild hybrid system is not basically used to reduce consumption, but to make the car as nimble as possible. As a bonus, there is also a 48-volt electric air compressor on board, which improves gas reaction. This is how it was achieved that with the new 2.0 liter basic engine, the Levante accelerates to 100 km/h just as quickly as with the previous V6, i.e. it reaches 100 km/h in 6.0 seconds; for those who care about tenths, at the other end of the range you will find the 580 hp V8 biturbo...

Especially in the premium category, the digitized passenger compartment has taken a bite out, the Levante, launched in 2016 and produced with an interior that has been practically unchanged since then, already looks old-fashioned with the relatively small (8.1 inch) central touch screen, or with the many dedicated switches. You don't have to worry, all important services can be accessed, even if it requires some attention to find the right one among the many identical physical buttons. The handling doesn't leave any puzzles, but I couldn't figure out why the silhouette of the car on the multifunction display between the analog clocks turned green when Sport mode was activated. This is proof that Maserati is going its own way.

Belying its small displacement, the large body, which weighs 2.1 tons even when empty, is moved by the basic engine, and the exhaust system with butterfly valve ensures the sound experience: when the engine speed decreases when switching gears, you can hear a subdued rumble from behind, otherwise you can travel in silence. The transmission is the 8-speed ZF automatic used in many brands and models, which has the property of dropping the revs, so, for example, when overtaking it takes a while to switch back several gears, and the Levante starts after stepping on the gas. The solution is to activate the Sport mode, because of the lower gear, the car reacts more directly to the accelerator. The steering is accurate, the brakes are effective, when cornering quickly, you have to remember that the Levante is heavy and has a high center of mass. Even then, we are far from losing stability, and the stability control does not intervene. 

The air-suspended suspension absorbs road defects unnoticed, you have to be careful with potholes because of the integrity of the rubber tires, but otherwise the comfort is good. Based on the standard measurement cycle, they promise an 18% consumption saving compared to the 350 horsepower, V6 biturbo, during the test drive of around 250 km, we registered a consumption of 12 liters in highway and highway traffic.

Reporting: Lővei Gergely