Maserati Levante (2016 - 2024) – engine and gearbox
Shared with the Quattroporté and Ghibli saloons, the 3-litre turbo diesel engine is adequate, the petrol V6 better still, and the Ferrari-derived V8 the best of the bunch. An 8-speed ZF torque converter is the only gearbox option available
Like most big performance SUVs, the range-topping Levante Trofeo is powered by a twin-turbo V8 engine. Lift the vented bonnet, though, and you’re not greeted by an underwhelming plastic shroud or a bit of gratuitous carbonfibre, but a stunning red crackle-finish V8 on full display made by the prancing horse itself. The 3.8-litre twin-turbo unit is a development of the F154 unit found in the Ferrari Portofino and Roma, but fitted with a more traditional cross-plane crank, which in part gives the unit less power, but more torque.
Still, its 572bhp peak at 6250rpm is hardly a compromised figure, and is backed up by a strong 538lb ft of torque produced between 2250 and 5250rpm. These are sent through a ZF torque-converter eight-speed automatic to a rear-biased all-wheel-drive system, with the rear axle featuring its own electronically controlled limited-slip differential.
In its more ordinary forms, three engines were offered - two 3-litre V6 petrols in 345bhp and 424bhp forms, and a 3-litre 275bhp V6 diesel. Out on the autostrada the Diesel lopes along nicely, and the 8-speed torque converter shuffles the ratios nicely when you want to kick-down. It’s a refined and adept mile-eater, no question. Wind noise is subdued despite frameless windows (Maserati has worked hard on this) and the general ambience is that of an elevated GT. It’s a very nice way to travel. The petrol V6s are far more vocal, the 424bhp 'S' model even eliciting a fairly good impression of a raspy Italian V6 note. Neither is particularly fast though, and both are very thirsty.
