MOTOR RIVALS

The Maserati Levante is a turning point in Maserati's history. The brand new model enables the Trident to access the largest luxury segment in the world. The Levante significantly contributes to the creation of the most complete product line-up in Maserati's history. The name Levante was 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. The Maserati Levante is based on the evolution of the saloon platform, designed exclusively by Maserati. The chassis has been specifically developed to offer unique on-road drivability and competitive off-road capability, with day-to-day comfort and practicality. The premium Italian SUV was conceived around three main pillars: Design, Exclusivity and Performance. It represents the optimum blend of these three elements in the SUV world.

The Maserati Levante's design is distinctive and attractive, embracing the aesthetic elements of Italian style. The 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. The thoroughbred on-road handling typical of all Maserati cars and the solid off-road capabilities, as demanded in the SUV segment, describe the car's overall ethos. The Levante is here to excite any sports car driver counting on performance-oriented features, such as the extensive use of lightweight materials, ideal 50-50% weight distribution and its lowest in class centre of gravity. Features that deliver unparalleled agility in the luxury SUV class.

Powertrain

Engine-wise, the Levante is equipped with the latest evolution of the Maserati 3-litre V6 engines. The petrol Maserati V6 engine with latest GDI and twin-turbo is available in two versions: the top of the range 430 hp and the exciting 350 hp. The most powerful Levante makes it to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds and has a top speed of 264 km/h, while the figures for the 350 hp version are 6.0 seconds and 251 km/h respectively.

The Levante is also available with a common-rail, direct injection turbodiesel V6 with reduced dwell time injectors. The 3-litre engine is capable of 275 hp and delivers 0-100 km/h in 6.9 seconds and a 230 km/h maximum speed while keeping the fuel economy as low as 7.2 litres/100 km under the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).

Both petrol and diesel versions of the Maserati Levante use the eight-speed automatic ZF gearbox that provides seamless comfort and fast gear shifting, depending on the selected drive mode.

Chassis

The Maserati engineers succeeded in keeping its weight under control to provide perfect 50:50 mass distribution. Light aluminium alloy has been used for the suspension frame, the wishbones, the hub strut, the suspension towers and the crossbeam reinforcement. Multi-link five-arm suspension is featured at the rear to provide exceptional comfort and performance. Both front and rear suspensions adopt a roll bar for less body roll and more driving pleasure. The Maserati Levante is equipped with a state-of-the-art air suspension system as standard. Apart from the obvious benefits, like the improvement of comfort and active safety, the air suspension contributes to the reduction of fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, thanks to the lowering of the car and the reduced aerodynamic drag at medium to high speeds. The power-assisted steering system is hydraulic and prevents unpleasant resistance when turning the steering wheel quickly. The power assistance is speed-sensitive ensuring less steering effort during low speed manoeuvring and excellent high speed stability.

The 430 hp Levante S features a state-of-the-art braking system that deals superbly with its high performance. The front system adopts Brembo 6-piston aluminium mono-bloc calipers working on 380 mm drilled discs. The Maserati Levante 350 hp petrol and 275 hp diesel are equipped with 2-piston 48 mm floating callipers working on 345 mm x 32 mm ventilated discs at the front. The rear brakes are the same with the 430 hp version but without drilled discs.

Technology

The Maserati Levante has entered the SUV segment with a marked advantage in terms of new content. The innovative features of the car include: Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & Go function, Forward Collision Warning and Brake Assist System, Lane Departure Warning, Surround View camera, capacitive 8.4" Touch Screen display with brand new rotary control, plus the AHA function, an addition to the Maserati Touch Control Plus which extends the AM, FM and DAB digital radio with a network connection option.

Using the Aux-in and USB sockets or the SD card reader, the user can play music or view images. The MTC Plus also controls front seat heating and ventilation, steering wheel heating and the rear window blinds, if fitted.

Safety

The Maserati Levante is equipped with a cruise control system as standard. The optional Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with integrated Stop & Go function further increases comfort and safety when driving on main roads and motorways. The Blind Spot Alert (BSA) monitors detection zones on both sides of the car at speeds above 10 km/h and alerts the driver when a vehicle enters the blind spot zones. The integrated Rear Cross Path (RCP) function aids the driver when backing out of parking spaces where vision of oncoming vehicles may be impaired or blocked. The Lane Departure Warning (LDW) has been designed specifically for motorway driving in order to reduce the risk of the vehicle accidentally departing from its current lane. The Forward Collision Warning (FCW) monitors vehicles ahead by means of a camera and warns the driver via visual, audible and haptic (brake jerk) alerts when in danger of a possible rear-end collision. The Surround View Camera system uses four cameras in total and provides a clear 360° view around the car on a top-down image in the 8.4" MTC Plus Display. The Park Assist system provides visual and audible indications of the distance between the rear or front bumper and a detected obstacle when reversing or moving forward. The Levante comes equipped with six airbags.

The all-new Volvo XC90 is a visually striking, premium quality seven seat SUV with world leading safety features, new powertrain technologies, an unrivalled combination of power and fuel efficiency and a superlative interior finish. The new XC90 marks the beginning of a new chapter in Volvo's history, capturing its future design direction, incorporating its own range of new technologies and utilizing its new Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) technology. The new Volvo XC90 is the first Volvo to carry the company's new more prominent iron mark, which has the iconic arrow elegantly aligned with the diagonal slash across the grille. Together with the T-shaped "Thor's Hammer" DRL lights, the iron mark introduces an entirely new, distinctive and confident face for Volvo's forthcoming generation of cars. The XC90's interior is the most luxurious to have been designed for a Volvo. The most striking feature is a tablet-like touch screen control console, which forms the heart of an all-new in-car control system. This system is virtually button free, a simplicity that opens up generous surfaces and gives us the opportunity to create a modern, luxurious interior architecture. Volvo Cars' reinvented trim level strategy resembles a tree with two branches. Kinetic is the base, followed by the very competitive Momentum level. Inscription and R-Design form the two branches on the tree. The Inscription package is designed for customers that want an elegant look and a luxurious experience, while R-Design has a sporty and dynamic aura.

Powertrain

The new Volvo XC90 offers a range of two-liter, four-cylinder Drive-E powertrains, all of which provide an outstanding combination of performance and fuel-efficiency.

The top of the range XC90 Twin Engine, which combines a supercharged and turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor, offers an unrivalled combination of power and clean operation: 400 horsepower with carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of 59 g/km (NEDC driving cycle). Combined maximum torque is over 600 Nm, making the XC90 accelerate from 0 to 100 in 5.9 seconds.

The Volvo XC90 range also includes the D5 twin turbo diesel engine with 225 hp, 470 Nm, best in class fuel consumption of around 6l/100 km and the D4 turbo diesel engine with 190 hp, 400 Nm and a fuel consumption of around 5l/100 km.

The range also offers two petrol engine options. The first is a T6 engine with supercharger and turbo with 320 hp and a maximum torque of 400 Nm. The second is a T5 with 254 hp and 350 Nm.

All engine versions come with an 8-speed automatic gearbox as standard.

Chassis

When it comes to driving dynamics, the XC90 gives the smooth, solid ride of a premium SUV combined with sharp handling and response. There is a completely new chassis, front and rear. There are a double wishbone front suspension and a new integral link rear axle that also features a new transverse leaf spring, made of lightweight material. The XC90 can also be equipped with electronically controlled air suspension with a choice of five modes.

Technology

The new Sensus user interface is without doubt the most modern in-car control system on the market. It completely reinvents the way drivers operate their cars. The traditional selection of buttons and controls has been replaced with a smooth, intuitive interaction between a large tablet-like touch screen, controls on the steering wheel and a capable voice-control system. The outstanding in-car possibilities includes Internet radio, connected navigation, finding and paying for parking, seamless music streaming, the ability to mirror and use Apple and Android devices in the touch screen display, a hot spot for using a tablet in the car - and much more.

The all-new Volvo XC90 can be specified with a four-zone climate system with individual settings for the occupants in the front seats and in the second row. A separate air-conditioning unit for the third row is standard or optional depending on the market. Volvo Cars' CleanZone air purification system, one of the most efficient on the market, has been further improved by adding a new carbon filter for more efficient capture of small, harmful particles and pollen in the incoming air.

The XC90 features one of the top audio systems available in the automotive world. The top-of-the-line system in the XC90 features a 1,400 W Class D amplifier and 19 Bowers & Wilkins speakers. It also includes one of the first air-ventilated subwoofers in a car. Integrated into the car body, it turns the whole interior space into a giant subwoofer.

Safety

The all-new Volvo XC90 offers the most comprehensive and technologically sophisticated standard safety package available in the automotive industry. It includes two world first safety technologies: a run-off road protection package and auto brake at intersection capability.

The Volvo XC90 is the first car in the world with technology that features automatic braking if the driver turns in front of an oncoming car. City Safety becomes the umbrella name for all of Volvo Cars' auto brake functions, which are standard equipment in the all-new XC90. It now covers vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians in front of the car, day and night.

On the driver support side, the new Adaptive Cruise Control with Pilot Assist enables safe and comfortable semi-autonomous driving by automatically following the vehicle ahead in stop-and-go traffic. Acceleration, braking and now also steering are controlled automatically.

Making sure that the driver remains in full control also when maneuvering and reversing in tight spaces, the all-new XC90 features a 360° Surround view. It gives the driver a birds-eye view where information from all cameras are added up digitally to a one 360° image. The Park Assist Pilot now also offers automatic reversing into a parking bay.