Levante Trofeo

Make
Maserati
Segment
SUV

Things aren't looking too good for the Maserati Levante right now as slow sales have caused production of the luxury SUV to be dramatically cut for the next few months, despite it being a worthy alternative to some of its rivals combining Italian style with impressive off-road capability. In its current guise, the Levante is powered by a twin-turbo V6 generating 430 horsepower. But Maserati desperately needs to spice it up and speed up sales if the Levante is ever going to make its mark in the US.

Fortunately, it's doing just that with the upcoming V8-powered Levante GTS, which was recently caught by our spy photographers tackling snowy conditions during winter testing. Under the hood, power is expected to be provided by a Ferrari-sourced twin-turbo V8, which is also found in the Quattroporte GTS. In the sedan, the engine produces 523 horsepower and 524 lb-ft of torque in the sedan, but it could be tuned to deliver more power in the Levante GTS to help it fight the Porsche Cayenne Turbo. Aesthetically, the front bumper will also be fitted with beefier air intakes to cool its Ferrari engine down and distinguish it form standard models.

Elsewhere, air outlets on the hood hidden by camouflage will be included in the GTS package, along with lowered and stiffer suspension to make it more agile around corners, bigger brakes and wheels to handle the extra power under the hood, and more prominent exhaust pipes that produce a more aggressive exhaust note. Maserati is expected to lift the wraps off the Levante GTS at the Geneva Motor Show in March, so we don't have long to wait to see it break cover. Let's just hope this hot new model is enough to revitalize the Levante and give the luxury SUV the sales boost it sorely needs right now.