The Sharp End

Maserati’s super-SUV has been its best seller in recent times, and with the global shift towards spacious family vehicles in full swing, it’s not hard to understand why the Italian stallion is doing so well. We spent some time with the range-topping Levante S to see what all the noise is about.

- Micky Baker

The supercar SUV trend is inescapable. Soon, we’ll have the new Lamborghini Urus cruising through Camps Bay and Sandton, and it won’t be long before Ferrari follows suit. All the while, Maserati will have been quietly churning out Levantes from its Miraflori production line in Turin.

With coupe curves and wheels that look as if they were forged by Neptune himself, the Levante S is a serious work of art. At just over 5 metres, it is very, very long – longer than the Porsche Cayenne – but it’s no boat. The imposing grill, tapering front end and signature rear pillars make it unmistakably Maserati, and with the GranSport trim pack installed, there’s plenty of extra bling to let people know who’s boss.

In contrast with the more luxury-orientated GranLusso package, GranSport features bright red Brembo brake calipers, a black grille and 20-inch Nereo wheels. The flashy black paint job may be tough to photograph, but its glitter-strewn body is dazzling up close.

Inside, the Italian supercar is all class – the trimmings and finishes are immaculate, as you’d expect from a vehicle with this pedigree. The infotainment system is kittedout with all the best bells and whistles, like satnav, Apple CarPlay, and hi-tech safety features like a 360° parking camera. To top that, driver assistance systems include Highway Lane Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control with radar-assisted stop & go. The list goes on and on…

Maranello’s monster