Speedy and sustainable: Maserati Levante GT Hybrid

Even those with pockets deep enough to afford ultra-luxury vehicles like Maserati, especially during these times, should know better than to waste precious fuel and emit more CO2 than necessary.

The wealthy can now motor around in luxury mixed with eco-consciousness with the Levante Hybrid. Modena Motorsports, the official distributor of Maserati in the Philippines, has recently introduced to the market the Trident marque's first hybrid SUV. 

Maserati said the 2022 Levante Hybrid is "faster, greener," and more "unique" than its conventional-powered stablemates. How so? 

With a two-liter turbo engine assisted by a 48-volt hybrid system, the 2022 Levante Hybrid nets a claimed fuel consumption rating of 10.3kpl and emits 231 to 252 grams of CO2 per kilometer. 

The engine and hybrid system are placed on the front and rear ends of the car, respectively, and so the SUV features even weight distribution and better agility, Maserati touted. Adding to the Hybrid's promised agile handling is its weight, which is said to be lighter than Levante models powered by six-cylinder diesel- and gasoline engines. 

Thanks to 330ps and 450Nm of torque delivered from just 2,250rpm, an all-wheel drive system, and eight-speed ZF auto gearbox, the 2022 Levante Hybrid boasts of impressive stats. How does a top speed of over 240kph and a zero-to-100kph time in six seconds sound? 

Now, moving on to the "unique" bit. The Levante Hybrid's exterior and interior details contribute to this car’s immediately recognizable design. Shades of blue can be seen around the car, a color chosen by Maserati to identify its hybrid cars like the Ghibli Hybrid.

On the exterior, blue characterizes the three iconic side air ducts, the brake calipers and the C-pillar logo. The same blue shade reappears inside the car, specifically on the embroidered seams of the seats. 

What can be also found inside the 2022 Levante GT Hybrid is the Maserati Connect program. With this feature, the driver can keep tabs on the car's health, and Maserati Connect will alert the driver when a service is due, improving the customer care experience.

With a smartphone or smartwatch, the driver can stay in contact with the car via the Maserati Connect App. Home virtual personal assistants Amazon Alexa and Google Assist also enable driver-to-car connection. 

Being a Maserati, of course, the interior reminds occupants that they're inside something special. Inside the 2022 Levante GT Hybrid are leather seats, cowhide applications on the dashboard, and carbon fiber trimmings. Surround systems from designer labels from Bowers & Wilkins or Bose can be optioned. 

With the Levante Hybrid, Maserati takes a major step forward in its electrification strategy. It's a speedy and somewhat sustainable step, too, as the Levante GT Hybrid's spec sheet below would suggest. 

MASERATI LEVANTE GT HYBRID
ENGINE
Layout	L4 Mild Hybrid with eBooster and 48V BSG
Displacement (cc)	1995
Bore x Stroke (mm)	84 x 90
Compression ratio	9.5:1
Maximum Power (ps @ rpm)	330 @ 5750
Peak torque (Nm @ rpm)	450 @ 2250
Fuel injection	Gasoline Direct Injection GDI
Injection pressure (bar)	200
Induction	1 Mono-scroll turbocharger 1 eBooster 48 V
Crankshaft	Forged steel
Lubrication	Variable displacement oil pump
Timing system	1 chain-drive overhead camshaft with Multiair
PERFORMANCE
Acceleration 0-100 Km/h (s)	6.0
Top speed	>240
Braking distance from 100 to 0 km/h (m)	36
FUEL CONSUMPTION AND CO2 EMISSIONS
WLTP combined cycle (l/100 km/kpl)	9.7 - 10.7 / 10.3 - 9.3
WLTP combined cycle (g/km)	231-252
TRANSMISSION
Gearbox	ZF eight-speed automatic
Gear ratios	1st: 5; 2nd: 3.2; 3rd: 2.14; 4th: 1.72; 5th: 1.31; 6th: 1.00; 7th: 0.82; 8th: 0.64; Reverse: 3.46; final: 3.27
Transmission	All-wheel drive with limited slip self-locking mechanical rear differential
SUSPENSION
Front	Double-wishbone, anti-roll bar
Rear	Multi-link, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
Front	Ventilated discs 345x32 mm, 2-piston floating calipers
Rear	Ventilated discs 330x22 mm, 1-piston floating calipers
DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHTS
Front/rear tyres	265/50 R19
L x D x H (mm)	5005 x 1981 x 1693
Wheelbase (mm)	3004
Front/rear track (mm)	1631 / 1662
Luggage capacity (l)	580
Fuel tank capacity (l)	80
Homologated weight (kg)	2090

 

Photos from Maserati Philippines and Roy Robles