A “greener” version of the Maserati Levante is said to be just around the corner.
Speaking with the Maserati CEO, Harald Wester, at the Geneva Motor Show, MotorTrend reports that the firm’s SUV will use components from the new Chrysler Pacifica minivan. “A standalone program would be suicidal, so we have to look at FCA“, said Wester.
The plug-in hybrid variant of the Levante is expected to debut at the end of 2017 or in early 2018, with a powertrain that FCA is developing for the Pacifica. The frugal minivan is targeting 80 MPGe in the city and 30 miles of electric range, using a 16 kWh lithium-ion battery.
FCA’s PHEV will join the existing lineup offered by Maserati for the SUV in the United States, which includes a choice of a 3.0-liter twin turbo V6, available in two outputs: 345 HP and 424 HP. In Europe, there is also a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel, which will not make it to North America.
Developing the Maserati Levante family will not stop with the introduction of a plug-in hybrid, as a higher-performance version was reportedly considered from the start. However, a final decision in this direction has yet to be taken: “We looked at it and decided not yet“, added the company’s CEO.
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