New Maserati Levante Hybrid Unveiled With 330 HP, Improved Efficiency

2,00Following the reveal of the Maserati Ghibli Hybrid last year, it’s pretty much inevitable that the Italian luxury automaker’s SUV will also receive electrification. Say hello to the Maserati Levante Hybrid, which is also dubbed as the brand’s first electrified SUV.

As a way to showcase its electrified nature, the Maserati Levante Hybrid features numerous blue highlights around its exterior, namely the side vents, brakes, and the trident badge on the C-pillar. The rest of the design remains unchanged, especially since the Levante just received a facelift earlier last year. Maserati did take this opportunity to unveil a new exterior color option called Azzurro Astro. It’s a unique tri-coat blue paint that can be opted through Maserati Fuoriserie, which is the brand’s bespoke customization program.

It’s also the same case inside, with the overall interior design remaining unchanged. Like the exterior, the interior features numerous blue details, mostly in the stitching and the embroidery of the seats. Last year, both the Maserati Levante and Ghibli debuted a new Android Automotive infotainment system, and that same infotainment system carries over in this electrified variant. This runs on the same Google-developed software as seen in the refreshed Volvo XC60 and Polestar 2, but in the case of these Maseratis, their version features Amazon Alexa functionality.

Of course, the main highlight of the new Maserati Levante Hybrid is its new, electrified powertrain. While the name suggests that it’s a full hybrid, its powertrain is actually a mild-hybrid powertrain with a 48-volt integrated starter generator (ISG). This is mated to a 2.0-liter inline-4 turbocharged gasoline engine, with total system output at 325 hp and 450 Nm of torque. Power is sent to a rear-biased all-wheel-drive (AWD) system via an 8-speed automatic. With this powertrain combination, 0-100 kph happens in a brisk 6 seconds, with top speed claimed to be at 240 kph.

Maserati says that despite the electrification and the small displacement engine, the Levante Hybrid still produces a throaty and theatrical sound without the need for synthesizers. The Italian luxury automaker also says that the Levante Hybrid is lighter than its V6 gasoline and diesel-powered models, tipping the scales at 2,090 kg. Since the batteries are placed at the rear of the vehicle, weight distribution has been improved, thereby improving handling according to Maserati.

The Maserati Levante Hybrid is already available for pre-orders in Europe. Europe will also be the first market to receive this new electrified luxury SUV, with units arriving in dealers as soon as June.