The high performance luxury SUV scene is set to become a lot more popular, and Maserati wants in on the action.
According to Autocar, the 2018 Maserati Levante GTS is on its way, with a version of the F154 twin-turbo V8 seen in several Ferraris and Maseratis. The hottest current version used in a Maserati is the 3.8-litre, 390kW unit in the Quattroporte GTS sedan.
This will give the marque of the trident emblem a credible alternative to the upcoming Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Ranger Rover Velar SVR, Jaguar F-Pace SVR and even some in-house competition from the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrofoglio.
Expected to be called GTS, the hotter Levante will don larger wheels and a more aggressive bodykit, carbon fibre interior trim and more.
In Australia, the 2017 Maserati Levante starts from $139,990 and can be had with a 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine producing 202kW and 600Nm. It is available with a number of bespoke options including silk seat trim by Ermenegildo Zegna.
The 2018 Maserati Levante GTS won’t be the most potent SUV under the FCA umbrella, though. That title will go to the 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk, expected to land here at around $120,000, with a 0-100km/h time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 290km/h.