Maserati christens its cars after the world’s most famous winds. Levante draws its moniker from the easterly wind that traverses the western Mediterranean Sea and southern France. Its dual nature is harnessed in this model — powerful under the hood and in structure, with better control over the gale-like force of this temperate stallion. Its design language reflects power and control as well as the marque’s signature flair, of imposing form sketched in coupé lines and pronounced haunches. Fronting the elongated bonnet is a wide-gapped grin of a grille inspired by both the trendy Alfieri and the historic Tipo 60 Birdcage, evidence that real style never goes out of fashion.
When opportunity arose to drive the Maserati Levante S and the Ferrari GTC4Lusso T, we put the pedal to the metal to test how Italian luxury carmakers are approaching SUVs.
SINGAPORE (Apr 15): Automotive purists might be horrified that the virile symbol of midlife crises has met the soccer mom mobile, but the recent trend of sporty luxury marques crossing over into SUV territory does not necessarily warrant the laments of doomsayers. Sure, sleek hot rods and the all-terrain, four-door beasts seem the antithesis of each other, hence traditionalists would rather sporty automakers stay in their lane, so to speak. Will upsizing dilute a speedster’s brand? We took the Maserati Levante S and the Ferrari GTC4Lusso T out for a spin to see if we liked where this was going.
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