Maserati trademarks Levante name for new small sedan

Maserati plans on moving its ferocious exhaust note into other market segments, which we know so far include an SUV perhaps called the Cinqueporte (nee Kubang) and a sport sedan to slot under the larger, next-generation Quattroporte. Internally it is said that the new sport sedan is called "Maseratina," but an Italian publication has discovered a recent Maserati trademark for the name "Levante."

The Levante, if that is its name, is aimed at the thick end of the mid-level executive sedan market, meaning the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class, and could be equipped with a diesel engine. By the way, Levante has a few meanings, the one probably meant here is "rising," as in what the sun does. But it's also British slang for "leave secretly or hurriedly to avoid paying debts," which is a humorous coincidence in light of recent events in Italy.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/03/09/m...w-small-sedan/

 

excited for a baby Maserati!!

 

Maserati's sub-Quattroporte sedan spotted testing

Gallery:
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/maser...photo-5182401/

The spy photogs at CarPix have caught the upcoming small sedan from Maserati to slot under the Quattroporte, rumored to be dubbed Levante, out testing. The spy shots frankly don't tell us much more than that, since the mule is wrapped in an ill-fitting Quattroporte body giving away little more than a shorter wheelbase and smaller brakes.

The Levante, if that's what it's called, will be Maserati's entry into the luxury full-sized sedan segment to compete with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series. Said to arrive late next year, it will have its luxury ducks in a row, supposedly offering a twin-turbo V6, a V8 and a 300-horsepower diesel with 500 pound-feet of torque.

Questions about engines and their provenance remain; the next Quattroporte is getting a Ferrari-sourced supercharged V6 and turbocharged V8, but it is wondered if the Levante's V6 might come from the other side of the Fiat stable, namely Chrysler. No matter where the motors come from, though, they'll be run through an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/07/30/m...otted-testing/

 

i've always liked the styling of the quattroporte. that would be awesome if they dropped a V8 into this smaller car!

 

This should be interesting, seeing the Quattroporte is $130k (give or take) and now this model will be up against a Lexus GS / Audi A6, so it be like half the price?

 

I would imagine at least a 10-15k premium because of the name. Prolly a 70-85k vehicle