Maserati Seeks To Reboot Levante SUV With A 700HP Variant

The Levante hasn’t exactly been a huge success for Maserati. Since its launch in 2016, the company has had to halt production twice – shortly thereafter cutting production of the SUV by a whole 59 percent. In 2017, Maserati moved just 5,485 examples of the Levante. While the brand spices up its range-topping SUV with more options and trims in an effort to boost sales, FCA CEO Sergio Marchionne said the Levante struggled from the get go.

In an interview with MotorTrend, Marchionne spoke candidly about the the Levante, specifically its launch. He says the debut of the large luxury vehicle was to blame for its exceedingly slow start. "Very poor execution. I think we sucked at the launch of the Levante," said the CEO. Following its poor showing in 2016, and its subsequent launch in the U.S. later that same year, boss Reid Bigland was replaced by Tim Kuniskis as global head of Alfa Romeo and Maserati in February.

Dexter1 - 4/27/2018 2:35:48 PM

0 Boost

Reboot? How about destroy? The thing looks like an ugly Infiniti.

carsnyc - 4/27/2018 11:59:05 PM

+2 Boost

Ugly yes but not as an Infiniti.

dumpsty - 5/2/2018 2:20:16 PM

+1 Boost

Right. The product launch didn't suck. The vehicle exterior profile is shit. It's not a stand-out design. It doesn't look attractive - even the top trim version.

I've seen a few in my area. None of the surrounding drivers give it a 2nd look - as to say "wow, what's that?!" I've seen a plain black F-Pace roll through the grocery store parking lot & everybody was staring at it.

TheSteve - 4/27/2018 4:54:30 PM

+4 Boost

Lack of horsepower is not Maserati's problem. The problem is a Fiat/Chrysler product with a Maserati badge on it, and with a luxury car price tag.

dumpsty - 5/2/2018 2:21:40 PM

+1 Boost

FCX needs to just give this to the Chrysler brand & let it go.

Foncool - 4/27/2018 5:04:58 PM

+1 Boost

There is nothing wrong with the product, the problem is that Marchionne turned to Chrysler personnel to execute the launch. All the Maserati personnel were forced out.

TomM - 4/28/2018 6:45:20 AM

+2 Boost

THe current problem with the Levante is actually the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.
THere was a time when Maserati was a Hyper-car Brand - it is no longer - and it barely makes a statement. I doubt many in the USA - for instance - consider it to be above the Alfa alone.

Foncool - 4/29/2018 1:46:47 PM

+1 Boost

The Stelvio doesn’t complete with the Levante at all, it is a much smaller vehicle which competes with the FPace and Mecan. The Levante is in the same size segment as the Cayenne and Range Rover Sport.

MDarringer - 4/27/2018 9:57:09 PM

0 Boost

The Levante could be rebooted with a $35K price reduction. Everyone knows this is a Maserati Magnum at heart. For a base of $40K, it would have been plausible, but a base of $75K for it is ridiculous.

mini22 - 4/27/2018 11:30:36 PM

+3 Boost

Maserati should have only offered all of it's products with Ferrari designed V8 or the twin turbo V6 from the Giulia and Stelvio Quadrafoglio. That's a start. Next there should not have been any commonality with any of the buttons and systems from any other FCA product. They should have shared all that with Ferrari. There needs to be more space in price between Alfa and Maserati. The top Alfa is touching the price on the Maserati Gibli.

MDarringer - 4/28/2018 8:18:27 AM

-1 Boost

The problem with Maserati is Sergio thinking it is much more renowned than it actually is. The same is true of Alfa Romeo. Both are totally disgraced brands that long ago fell out of any favor and he reinvigorates both one notch too high in the market. Alfa Romeo should have been a Subaru/Acura near-premium and Maserati should have been their BMW. Basing three products on the LX platform with only the most modest of changes should have been a stopgap measure at best. The Ghibli should base at $40K for what it is and the "refinement" you get. It's a great car but it's a Chrysler 300.

Foncool - 4/29/2018 2:20:25 PM

+1 Boost

Contrary to current beliefs Continuously repeating wrong information doesn’t eventually make it true.

skytop - 5/1/2018 12:30:39 PM

+1 Boost

Yes, mommy needs a 700HP SUV with a rating of 12 mpg to drop the kids off at school and pick up some milk, eggs and bread.