Maserati luxury “game-changing” sports utility vehicle (SUV) was unveiled in Bahrain yesterday by Euro Motors.

The new Levante made its world premiere at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show in March and customer deliveries are to start this summer.

“This is the first ever SUV by Maserati, so it is a complete game-changer, particularly in this region. Maserati is renowned for exotic sports cars, so our mission was not just to build an SUV, but to build a Maserati. Exciting times are ahead and we are glad to be able to offer Maserati aficionados a completely new experience,” said Nawaf Al Zayani, Managing Director of Euro Motors.

The Levante name is inspired by a warm Mediterranean wind that can change from mild to gale force in an instant, mirroring the character of the first Maserati SUV. It enables the Italian car manufacturer to access the largest luxury segment in the world and contributes to creating of the most complete product line-up in Maserati’s history, said the company.

The Levante is based on the evolution of the sedan platform, designed exclusively by Maserati. The car chassis has been specifically developed to offer unique on-road drivability and competitive off-road capability, with day-to-day comfort and practicality, said Amaury La Fonta, Marketing Director, Maserati Middle East, India & Africa.

The SUV is designed, developed and produced in Italy and offers exclusivity, performance and technology, he said during the launch of the SUV at The Ritz Carlton, Bahrain Hotel & Spa.

He said the new SUV will soon be the best-selling model for the car manufacturer as worldwide SUVs comprise 50 per cent of the luxury segment. "We have had five consecutive years of growth in the region. The new Levante will further boost our growth," he said.

The Levante’s design is distinctive and attractive, embracing the most valuable aesthetic elements of Italian style. Its design brings a new concept to the SUV world, combining spaciousness and coupé lines while achieving the best aerodynamic efficiency in its segment with a Cx coefficient of just 0.31, continued La Fonta.

The thoroughbred on-road handling typical of all Maserati cars and solid off-road capabilities, as demanded in the SUV segment, describe the car’s overall dynamic, he said.

The Levante makes extensive use of lightweight materials.

The Levante was designed to deliver best in class comfort on rough terrains and handling on snow and ice. The aluminium “double wishbone - five link” suspension layout comprises standard air springs and electronically controlled skyhook shock absorbers combined with the intelligent Q4 all-wheel-drive system and the newly introduced torque vectoring system.

The SUV is equipped with the latest evolution of the Maserati 3-litre V6 engines, globally acclaimed for their unique Maserati signature sound and exceptional performance.

The petrol Maserati V6 engine with latest GDI and twin turbo is available in two versions in the region: the top of the range 430 HP and the 350 HP. The most powerful Levante makes it to 100 kmph in 5.2 seconds and has a top speed of 264 kmph, while the figures for the 350 HP version are 6.0 seconds and 251 kmph, respectively.

La Fonta revealed that the car will be competitively priced at BD32,500 ($85,535) for the 350 HP version and BD37,500 ($98,694) for the 430 HP version.

The Levante adopts the eight-speed automatic ZF gearbox that provides seamless comfort and fast gear shifting, depending on the selected drive mode: Normal, ICE, Sport or Off-road.

The Levante also offers adaptive cruise control with stop and go function, forward collision warning and brake assist system, lane departure warning, surround view camera, the capacitive 8.4-inch touch screen display with brand new rotary control and a high level of customisation.

A new state-of-the-art production line has been set up exclusively for the Levante in the historic Mirafiori plant in Italy.