Maserati wants you to know that even though they are building a hybrid, it's still going to feel like a Maserati.
Former Maserati CEO Harald Wester said last year that the Levante would get a plug-in hybrid model. Because of the low expected volume, the Levante's system will come from the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid plug-in.
But even though it shares hybrid tech with a minivan, the Levante still needs to feel like a Maserati. The company's managing director for Middle East, Africa, and Asia told Australia's CarAdvice that even though it will be a hybrid, it will still feel and drive the way buyers of the Italian luxury brand expect. Cini said that "Maserati means many things. One of these things is the pleasure of driving. If we can deliver with hybrid technology or electric technology the same feeling that you can deliver with the current product range, why not?"
The plug-in Pacifica adds a pair of electric motors that together produce 198 hp to the van's 3.6L V6. It has a 53 km range on electric power alone. The V6 Levante weighs about 100 kg less than the Pacifica, so a similar range is possible.
