Simply Abu Dhabi XXXI

The big news about the new Levante is the introduction of two Ferrari-built, twin-turbo 3.8-litre v8 engines: a 542bhp version in the GTS that was launched at Goodwood, and a 582bhp version for the Trofeo. Both should be belters to drive, but that story will have to wait as for now it’s the v6 that hits the street first. The new v6 features a lower front fascia and with more differentiation between the GranSport and GranLusso versions with full LEd matrix headlights. The GranSport shows off its sportier side with a matt black grille and some carbon fibre panelling inside, while the GranLusso as the more stately of the two gets more chrome trim and a shiny grille. Two new tri-coat colours are now available with a spin on the trademark Maserati blue called Blu Nobil that has microscopic metallic flecks that change the colour depending on which angle you view the car, while Rosso Potente is a luscious deep red and that suits the big shape to perfection. Both feature a slightly revamped interior including a new gearshift and drive mode switches along with new infotainment graphics that lead you to Maserati’s new Integrated vehicle Control (IvC). This has been introduced into its stability systems and predicts driving situations by adjusting the engine speed and braking as required. The new gearshift on the eight-speed ZF box sounds minor but it’s now more intuitive with a shorter travel giving the driver the option to use it in auto or manual modes just by flicking the lever from right to left, while Park is engaged by pressing a new ‘P’ button. It also has a separate Sports switch which lowers the car’s ride height by 20mm and stiffens the ride. This is just for the suspension and so doesn’t impact the engine settings which have their own Sport button. It means that you can opt for the faster gearshifts, spicier exhaust note and more spritely throttle without having to accept kidneybelt-tight sports suspension. On the narrow and windy back roads of Sussex, which are often potholed and have rough shoulders, I found this to be a brilliant idea as I could enjoy the more immediate throttle response I prefer while the suspension didn’t think it was on a billiard-smooth race track and soaked up the bumps without jarring my teeth. Making this even more impressive is that the Levante now offers massive 20-inch and 21-inch alloy wheels for the two v6es, while a 22-inch rim, the largest ever offered on a Maserati, is an option for the v8 models. The family resemblance between old and new is clearly obvious on the Levante once parked up and admiring their much older siblings in the Goodwood paddock. The trident badge on the C-Pillar comes from the very first Quattroporte of 1963, while the famous grille is evident even in the StirlingMoss 250FGrand Prix car along with the three familiar small vents in the front wings. While the Levante was being raced up the hill by the company’s works drivers, it was an opportunity to look over the star of the stand and one of the stars of Goodwood, the Eldorado. Maserati was commissioned to build the car by Gino Zanetti, owner of the Eldorado ice-cream company for him to promote his business in front of a potential American audience at a unique racing series in Italy. 2 7 8 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I