A strangely modified Maserati Ghibli has been caught roaming the streets of Italy by TMR’s crack spy photographers.
This is no special new jacked-up version of the Ghibli designed for especially tall folk, however, but rather it’s our first look at the coming Levante SUV.
Scheduled to debut late in 2015, the Levante is expected to take its styling cues from the Kubang concept revealed way back in 2011.
The SUV had originally been expected to premiere this year, but development delays have seen production pushed out to next year.
Maserati’s new Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans are expected to lend their platform for this project, with engines and transmissions also to be shared.
Expect those to include the Ghibli's twin-turbocharged 3.0 litre V6 developing 300kW, along with a twin-turbocharged 3.8 litre V8 engine developing 395kW.
A turbo-diesel is also expected, with each linked to an eight-speed auto.
All-wheel-drive will also feature, with the Levante benefiting from the same ‘Q4’ system available with its sedan counterparts.
That all-paw system is likely to be modified for the Levante, however, with American subsidiary Jeep expected to have significant input.
Maserati hopes to increase sales from the current 7000 cars per year to as high as 50,000 cars per year in the next few years.
MORE: Maserati News and Reviews
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