RE: North Coast 500 by Maserati Levante

[Ares]

PhantomPH said:

That's the standard spec - no options applied. And you will also note my previous point about it only looking slightly better if you spec the biggest wheels - which are £3,700!!! That's a bloody laugh. Even the 20's which are £2,000, still look too small for the flobbery styling.

Look at the Alfa above - that looks big and heavy, but the styling holds together miles better than the Levante. I know you could argue that the top-of-the-range Alfa should not really be compared to the Levanter, but your arguments have been about looks and styling so it's a reasonable comparison.

Oh yeah and add the Afa to my list of better looking SUVs. Ha ha

Exactly. No-one orders a poverty spec Maserati...or F-Pace. Or anything in this class.


Interesting what you say about the Alfa. I've seen both in the flesh, and prefer the look of the Levante. Baring in mind I've got a Quadrifoglio on order, and love the way it looks, I think Alfa has failed to translate it into and SUV. Still nice, but just looks like a Giulia on stilts.

And even FCA have pitched the cars together, so much so that they've chosen Alfa as the power tier brand, hence it is getting the spunkier engine.

Maserati's failure is that it is succeeding. 3 years ago, I had lunch with Peter Denton of Maserati. He had a target to take UK sales from 8,000 to 60,000 in 6 years. the Ghibli and Levante were key to that. He is ahead of target. Same thing with Porsche, the more accessible models fund the exotics!

[DegsyE39]

These are as hideous in the flesh, gopping!

Sad to think that the same firm brought us the quattroporte and the 4200 gt not that long ago.

[AH33]

It's horrible from every angle, but they're not trying to sell me one so who cares.

[EC2]

I've driven one for a few hundred miles and compared with the likes of a Range Rover Sport it has lots to offer. I accept that a fast 4WD estate weighing 300kg less would be better but they have produced what the market wants. Just a shame that the petrol is so much more ££ than the diesel.

I have an older Maserati and see that they still manage to get a lot of things right with a car and then struggle with smaller things - gear selector is still hard to use (come on Maserati admit it is not fit for purpose despite all the updates, try doing a hurried three point turn in it), compromised driver's left leg space in RHD, no proper manual control of the gearbox (why does it kickdown in manual?), electric boot button in wrong place, rear parking sensors don't line up and PTS can't cope with gravel drives without beeping into oblivion....

All small stuff but that's what irritates you after a while.

Hopefully the ££ from this will lead them to replace the coupes/convertibles with new* versions soon.

• not perpetual re-hashes.

[TSKS]

Ares said:

Unfortunately, I'm told you will have a long wait. Unless you want LHD. That is a failure.

They've allowed the little sister Alfa to have the 500bhp fire-breathing SUV.

I thought it was set for a September release here in the UK ?

[Quickmoose]

Fasterrr said:

Saw one the other day and thought it was a new Kia, until I saw the Maserati badge. Surprisingly bland.

this... Infinti is a closer stylistic comparison imo.
Maserati should be blowing the doors off damn near every other marque especially when it comes to aesthetics. They are nich'er than the rest, rare and should be much more desirable as a result...but their conforming, not just in product placement for profit, but in stylistic terms too....which is rubbish.
Their current offerings, inside and out could be sold under many other brands just by swapping out the badging. A real shame.
As a result they are now being compared with marque's that they should really be 'above' imo.

I've heard the leather/materials quality is up a few levels and I'd hope the driving characteristics are better too... but frankly, SUVs in an urban environment are status symbols on wheels (that's not a criticism)... Maserati need to do SO much better if all they have is nice leather and a bit of kudos when you leave your keyring/car key on show.

[Guvernator]

Quickmoose said:

this... Infinti is a closer stylistic comparison imo.
Maserati should be blowing the doors off damn near every other marque especially when it comes to aesthetics. They are nich'er than the rest, rare and should be much more desirable as a result...but their conforming, not just in product placement for profit, but in stylistic terms too....which is rubbish.
Their current offerings, inside and out could be sold under many other brands just by swapping out the badging. A real shame.
As a result they are now being compared with marque's that they should really be 'above' imo.

I've heard the leather/materials quality is up a few levels and I'd hope the driving characteristics are better too... but frankly, SUVs in an urban environment are status symbols on wheels (that's not a criticism)... Maserati need to do SO much better if all they have is nice leather and a bit of kudos when you leave your keyring/car key on show.

Absolutely agree with this statement. I see them as a wrung or two above the usual German suspects, probably even above Porsche in terms of brand desirability and yet they've released a car which looks-wise at least wouldn't look out of place in a Kia line-up. The new Ghibli is OK but again not outstanding
in terms of desirability which just doesn't sound right for Maserati, I should be having a sex wee just walking up to Maserati and in that respect both the Levante and new Ghibli fail.

[Ares]

TSKS said:

Ares said:

Unfortunately, I'm told you will have a long wait. Unless you want LHD. That is a failure.

They've allowed the little sister Alfa to have the 500bhp fire-breathing SUV.

I thought it was set for a September release here in the UK ?

Dealer told me the new Ghibli is out (facelift) in September, but the Levante is oil only for now. But then dealers are not the Oracle!

[Ares]

Guvernator said:

Quickmoose said:

this... Infinti is a closer stylistic comparison imo.
Maserati should be blowing the doors off damn near every other marque especially when it comes to aesthetics. They are nich'er than the rest, rare and should be much more desirable as a result...but their conforming, not just in product placement for profit, but in stylistic terms too....which is rubbish.
Their current offerings, inside and out could be sold under many other brands just by swapping out the badging. A real shame.
As a result they are now being compared with marque's that they should really be 'above' imo.

I've heard the leather/materials quality is up a few levels and I'd hope the driving characteristics are better too... but frankly, SUVs in an urban environment are status symbols on wheels (that's not a criticism)... Maserati need to do SO much better if all they have is nice leather and a bit of kudos when you leave your keyring/car key on show.

Absolutely agree with this statement. I see them as a wrung or two above the usual German suspects, probably even above Porsche in terms of brand desirability and yet they've released a car which looks-wise at least wouldn't look out of place in a Kia line-up. The new Ghibli is OK but again not outstanding
in terms of desirability which just doesn't sound right for Maserati, I should be having a sex wee just walking up to Maserati and in that respect both the Levante and new Ghibli fail.

Again, drive the Ghibli and it is a class above the Germans.

[Quickmoose]

Ares said:

Guvernator said:

Quickmoose said:

this... Infinti is a closer stylistic comparison imo.
Maserati should be blowing the doors off damn near every other marque especially when it comes to aesthetics. They are nich'er than the rest, rare and should be much more desirable as a result...but their conforming, not just in product placement for profit, but in stylistic terms too....which is rubbish.
Their current offerings, inside and out could be sold under many other brands just by swapping out the badging. A real shame.
As a result they are now being compared with marque's that they should really be 'above' imo.

I've heard the leather/materials quality is up a few levels and I'd hope the driving characteristics are better too... but frankly, SUVs in an urban environment are status symbols on wheels (that's not a criticism)... Maserati need to do SO much better if all they have is nice leather and a bit of kudos when you leave your keyring/car key on show.

Absolutely agree with this statement. I see them as a wrung or two above the usual German suspects, probably even above Porsche in terms of brand desirability and yet they've released a car which looks-wise at least wouldn't look out of place in a Kia line-up. The new Ghibli is OK but again not outstanding
in terms of desirability which just doesn't sound right for Maserati, I should be having a sex wee just walking up to Maserati and in that respect both the Levante and new Ghibli fail.

Again, drive the Ghibli and it is a class above the Germans.

For my post, I've caveated build quality and driving characteristics.
You have to create something to get people into your dealership first.... few people spending this kind of cash will want to get ignored whilst driving around whether they're experiencing driving nirvana or not...
Maserati styling is generic and bland....and personally I think panders to far eastern preferences... yuk...

[Ares]

Quickmoose said:

Ares said:

Guvernator said:

Quickmoose said:

this... Infinti is a closer stylistic comparison imo.
Maserati should be blowing the doors off damn near every other marque especially when it comes to aesthetics. They are nich'er than the rest, rare and should be much more desirable as a result...but their conforming, not just in product placement for profit, but in stylistic terms too....which is rubbish.
Their current offerings, inside and out could be sold under many other brands just by swapping out the badging. A real shame.
As a result they are now being compared with marque's that they should really be 'above' imo.

I've heard the leather/materials quality is up a few levels and I'd hope the driving characteristics are better too... but frankly, SUVs in an urban environment are status symbols on wheels (that's not a criticism)... Maserati need to do SO much better if all they have is nice leather and a bit of kudos when you leave your keyring/car key on show.

Absolutely agree with this statement. I see them as a wrung or two above the usual German suspects, probably even above Porsche in terms of brand desirability and yet they've released a car which looks-wise at least wouldn't look out of place in a Kia line-up. The new Ghibli is OK but again not outstanding
in terms of desirability which just doesn't sound right for Maserati, I should be having a sex wee just walking up to Maserati and in that respect both the Levante and new Ghibli fail.

Again, drive the Ghibli and it is a class above the Germans.

For my post, I've caveated build quality and driving characteristics.
You have to create something to get people into your dealership first.... few people spending this kind of cash will want to get ignored whilst driving around whether they're experiencing driving nirvana or not...
Maserati styling is generic and bland....and personally I think panders to far eastern preferences... yuk...

I had four consecutive weekends in:

Alfa Quadrifoglio
M3 Comp
Maserati Ghibli S
C63S

The Alfa got the most attention, the Ghibli close behind though. Both a league ahead of the Germans.

The styling of the Maserati is like it's build quality. Refined, classy and not shouty like the Germans (and the Alfa in fairness).

[Quickmoose]

Ares said:

I had four consecutive weekends in:

Alfa Quadrifoglio
M3 Comp
Maserati Ghibli S
C63S

The Alfa got the most attention, the Ghibli close behind though. Both a league ahead of the Germans.

The styling of the Maserati is like it's build quality. Refined, classy and not shouty like the Germans (and the Alfa in fairness).

no I'm afraid styling is personal and subjective...not by defenition refined and classy....but on the basis of this thread, it's failing, bland, generic, disappointing and easily confused with lesser brands...
Jaguar do "non-shouty" better, and can't be confused with any other brand anywhere near as easily..

[Ares]

Quickmoose said:

Ares said:

I had four consecutive weekends in:

Alfa Quadrifoglio
M3 Comp
Maserati Ghibli S
C63S

The Alfa got the most attention, the Ghibli close behind though. Both a league ahead of the Germans.

The styling of the Maserati is like it's build quality. Refined, classy and not shouty like the Germans (and the Alfa in fairness).

no I'm afraid styling is personal and subjective...not by defenition refined and classy....but on the basis of this thread, it's failing, bland, generic, disappointing and easily confused with lesser brands...
Jaguar do "non-shouty" better, and can't be confused with any other brand anywhere near as easily..

I meant the Ghibli. And based on sales, I'd say it's doing OK, especially when saddled with below average pricing.

And Jaguar are even lower on the desirability stakes though IMO, f-type perhaps excepted.

[Quickmoose]

Ares said:

I meant the Ghibli. And based on sales, I'd say it's doing OK, especially when saddled with below average pricing.

And Jaguar are even lower on the desirability stakes though IMO, f-type perhaps excepted.

so did I. Maseratis collectively have gone all 'far eastern' in design ethos imo.
And yes I'd agree, Jaguar are a rung lower in the desirability stakes in terms of name and status, but whereas Jag for the most part stay true to a stylish mature cohesive direction (SVR tacked-on guff excepted), which does not degrade their heritage, Maserati are doing a great job of throwing theirs down the lav.....imo. They should be leading in stylistic terms not following the herd.

[Guvernator]

Exact term I'd use for the Ghibli, very generic and doesn't really pop like a Maserati should. If it had a different badge on it you wouldn't look at it twice. They've made some stunning cars in the past but the latest batch seem to be playing it very safe, not really what you expect from the Italians, you might as well buy German!

[PhantomPH]

THANK YOU QUICKMOOSE!!! I have kept saying (and Googling) Lexus for the vehicle that I think this looks identical to and it's not - it's an Infiniti!!

There's no way I should be confusing an Italian vehicle with this....

Regardé:

[Quickmoose]

PhantomPH said:

THANK YOU QUICKMOOSE!!! I have kept saying (and Googling) Lexus for the vehicle that I think this looks identical to and it's not - it's an Infiniti!!

There's no way I should be confusing an Italian vehicle with this....

Actually prefer the QX70.... nicer rear wheel arch treatment, less jarring as a whole, better roofline and side window line.....and more 'honest' a Japanese design for a Japanese company, as opposed to a Japanese design by an Italian company...the irony given how much Japan used to 'copy' .

It won't have the leather, kudos or driving characteristics... but then it'll be cheaper, perhaps more reliable and given I'm unlikely to take it on track or drive it at 10/10ths, drive exactly as I require it to.... you could re-badge it and pretend though Like 300C owners do with Bentley badges...

[Ares]

Quickmoose said:

Ares said:

I meant the Ghibli. And based on sales, I'd say it's doing OK, especially when saddled with below average pricing.

And Jaguar are even lower on the desirability stakes though IMO, f-type perhaps excepted.

so did I. Maseratis collectively have gone all 'far eastern' in design ethos imo.
And yes I'd agree, Jaguar are a rung lower in the desirability stakes in terms of name and status, but whereas Jag for the most part stay true to a stylish mature cohesive direction (SVR tacked-on guff excepted), which does not degrade their heritage, Maserati are doing a great job of throwing theirs down the lav.....imo. They should be leading in stylistic terms not following the herd.

Agree to disagree...I think Maserati style is good for the cars, and price points they are at. The reaction I got compared to M3 & C63 seems to back that up.

But as you say, looks are subjective/opinions are like aholes/etc

[HeMightBeBanned]

"Another party piece of the Levante is it's near perfect weight distribution"

Sub-editor says, "NO".

Please ditch the unnecessary apostrophe.