Maserati Levante S launched – RM788,800 onwards

By thoriq ,

New, improved and petrol-powered Maserati Levante S finally lands in Malaysia

02 Maserati Levante S GranSport

Remember our Italian desert sled from last month, the Maserati Levante S? Well, it has finally landed in Malaysia!

Earlier today, official importers Naza Italia officially launched the improved new 2018 Maserati Levante S for the local market, finally ending the absence of the petrol-powered variants of this plush and fast SUV in select right-hand-drive (RHD) markets like ours.

 

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Just like the left-hand-drive model we drove in the UAE recently, the Levante S can be had in either sporty GranSport or luxury-minded GranLusso flavours. Crucially, it’s what lies beneath this SUV’s hood that matters most, and it’s a powerhouse.

In typical Maserati fashion, the Levante S harnesses a Ferrari-built 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 derived from the Ghibli, boasting 430hp, 580Nm, and a raspy soundtrack to match. It’s paired with a ZF 8-speed automatic and an uprated SQ4 all-wheel-drive (AWD) suite that grants a respectably quick 5.2-second 0-100kph sprint time and 264kph top speed.

27 Maserati Levante S GranSport

If you’ve read our first take of this SUV, you’d know by now it packs a well-equipped chassis that grants the Levante S with both on-road agility and off-road prowess. Central here are its revised height-adjustable air suspension and Skyhook active dampers, selectable drive modes, not forgetting the aforementioned uprated SQ4 system.

Also notable here are the Levante S’ top-shelf Brembo anchors that halts this car as fast as it goes. Primed up front are a pair of six-pot monobloc callipers grabbing large 380mm drilled discs whilst the rear features a floating aluminium calliper setup grabbing a pair of 330mm discs.

07 Maserati Levante S GranLusso

Opt for the GranLusso trim and the Levante S’ boasts a cabin chicly styled by Italian design powergouse Ermenegildo Zegna. No hints or carbon fibre here, just fine, hand-stitched leather and silk, some fine wood panels, tasty amounts of shiny metal accents inside and out, as well as stylish set of 19-inch alloy wheels.

06 Maserati Levante S GranSport

The GranSport, on the other hand, takes on a sportier approach as it primes the cabin with a pair of sports seats upfront. Matching that are a plethora of carbon fibre trims, exterior metals finished in piano black, a rear spoiler, as well larger 20-inch alloy wheels to boot.

Also worth mentioning here are the Levante S’ clutch of intelligent driver aids. The list includes Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go, Lane-Keep Assist with Highway Assist, Lane Departure Warning, Active Blind-Spot Assist, and Traffic Sign Recognition.

Maserati Levante GranSport 1

Again, if you’ve read our first drive, you’d know this refined version of Maserati’s first ever SUV boasts stellar driving talents both on- and off-road. With that in mind, the Levante S rightfully commands a base starting price of RM788,800 sans options, insurance and registration.

Said price sees Naza Italia include a 3-year, unlimited mileage warranty plus the Maserati Premium Service Plus that covers a span of 3 years or 60,000km (whichever comes first). Check out more images of the Maserati Levante S in the galleries we’ve prepared below.

2018 Maserati Levante S
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2018 Maserati Levante S GranSport gallery
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2018 Maserati Levante S GranLusso gallery
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