Using Paris as a public forum, Maserati revealed the names of the two upcoming new models that will join the Quattroporte and GranTurismo in its family lineup. While the concept version of its nascent luxury sport utility was called the Kubang when it appeared at the Frankfurt auto last fall, the production version will be known as the Maserati Levante. The name comes from the Via Emilia Levante, a street in Bologna where, nearly 100 years ago, the Maserati brothers established the firm.
“Considering that Levante will be marketed in 2014, the year Maserati will celebrate its centennial, it seems a very apt name and, in many ways, a bridge to Maserati’s future,” the automaker noted it its formal press statement. While pegged to share basic platform architecture with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, the new Maserati Levante will feature its own styling, powertrains and suspension.
Expected in roughly the same centennial time window — and resurrecting a classic marque name formerly used only on coupe models– the Maserati Ghibli will be a mid-size sport sedan intended to take on cars like the Audi S6, BMW M5/6 Series Gran Coupe and Mercedes-Benz CLS. Power for the new Ghibli could be provided by either a turbocharged V6 or naturally-aspirated V8. Look for a production version to turn up next fall at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show.
First of the firm’s next-gen offerings will be the 2013 Maserati Quattroporte. Set to appear at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show in January, it reportedly will hold onto its current name but feature new exterior/interior design cues as well as revised powertrain options.
