Maserati has revealed its first-ever hybrid SUV, and only its second electrified model, in the form of the new Levante Hybrid. It follows on from the mid-sized Ghibli Hybrid saloon, using that car's combination of a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and 48-volt mild-hybrid tech to deliver 'the performance of a gasoline V6 but with reduced fuel use.'
Power and parsimony
The Levante Hybrid's 48V electrical system incorporates a Belt-Starter Generator (BSG), the battery, an eBooster and a DC/DC converter, which is all said to reduce the CO2 emissions when compared to an equivalent-power V6 petrol engine by up to 18 per cent. The eBooster, by the way, is an electrically powered compressor that acts as a 'mock turbo', filling in power at lower revs while the 'true' turbo on the 2.0-litre engine is just spooling up. All of this also helps with energy recuperation during braking phases and coasting.
Not only that, but the 2.0-litre hybrid drivetrain isn't that heavy and so the whole Levante weighs less than it would if fitted with the six-cylinder petrol engine, which is good. Weight distribution is even said to be improved in the Hybrid, as its battery is mounted at the rear of the SUV to better balance out the engine up front.
So, with 330hp and 450Nm in total to play with, the Levante Hybrid remains quick. It'll run 0-100km/h in 6.0 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 240km/h where permissible. CO2 emissions are also cut to 231-252g/km on the WLTP test cycle, but Maserati insists that for all this fuel-saving tech and its four-cylinder make-up, the Levante Hybrid has the traditional 'sound' of the marque; and before you panic that such a statement means noises amplified and pumped in via the car's speakers, it's not - instead, the fluid dynamics of the exhaust system and the adoption of resonators means the Hybrid should have the 'distinctive growl' of any Maserati.
Blue detailing
Visually, the Hybrid looks broadly similar to the other Levante models, although it will launch with a new metallic tri-coat blue colour called Azzurro Astro, as well as offering the Grigio Evoluzione grey as seen on the Ghibli Hybrid. Beyond that, the only markers to its part-electric status are details in Cobalt Blue, Maserati's hybrid hue of choice - so look for the finish on the three side air ducts, on the brake callipers (as an option) and on the new C-pillar Trident logo that sits on its own.
Launching in a GT specification with GranLusso external styling features and an optional Sport Pack available, the Levante Hybrid's cabin features the 8.4-inch touchscreen infotainment and a seven-inch TFT display in the instrument cluster, between two analogue dials. Driving tech fitted to the car includes Q4 Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, a limited-slip differential on the rear axle complete with torque vectoring and the same air suspension set-up as seen on the Ghibli, only modified to suit the larger, taller Levante SUV and the (remote) possibility that it might one day venture off-road.