Maserati has released the first official pictures of its upcoming new SUV, the Levante, ahead of the vehicle’s public debut at the Geneva auto show next month. The brand’s first sport-utility is claimed to be based on the same platform that underpins the Ghibli and Quattroporte sports sedans?and not derived from the Jeep Grand Cherokee as first believed.

The rear-drive-based architecture enables the Levante’s cab-rearward design, which in profile isn’t far off from that of the Jaguar F-pace?another high-performance luxury SUV newcomer that seems likely to be one of the Maserati’s chief competitors in spirit if not in price. Signature design elements for the Levante include the triple air vents (don’t call them portholes) on the front fenders, the trapezoidal C-pillars, and frameless door glass. Up front, we see a concave grille with a large trident, and headlamps that reach out to meet the grille, somewhat like those on a BMW 3-series.
Maserati is not yet releasing engine info, but we expect the Levante to use the same Ferrari-developed turbocharged V-6 and V-8 powerplants as the sedans (with a diesel V-6 for Europe). The company did confirm that an eight-speed automatic will be standard, as will the brand’s Q4 all-wheel drive and its electronically controlled air suspension. A plug-in hybrid is expected to arrive within two years.

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