2015 Maserati Levante Details Emerge: Report

Details of the 2015 Maserati Levante SUV - including engine and production details – have appeared out of Europe this week.

A company insider reportedly told Edmunds that the new SUV will feature a “Latin blend” of styling, mixing influences from the BMW X6 to the Porsche Cayenne.

Although originally planned to be built in a Chrysler US factory, demand for Jeep products is now reportedly too strong for the factory to support Levante production. The new model is now expected to be produced in Italy.

Engines for the 2015 Maserati Levante will reportedly include the Ghibli's twin-turbocharged 3.0 litre V6 developing 300kW, along with a twin-turbocharged 3.8 litre V8 engine developing 395kW.

Again like the Ghibli, a turbo-diesel engine is also expected, with all engine options linked to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The all-wheel-drive system from the Maserati Quattroporte may be used to give the Levante a sportier appeal, although Jeep is expected to have some input to ensure the Levante survives off-road.

The Levante is also expected to share its underpinnings with the Ghibli sedan, while some of the electronics will be borrowed from Chrysler products.

Maserati hopes to increase sales from the current 7000 cars per year to as high as 50,000 cars per year in the next few years, and an entrant in the booming SUV market could be just what the doctor ordered.