FOLLOWING the launch of the 6th generation Quattroporte and the Ghibli, Maserati's first four-door E-segment sedan, in 2013 and 2014, 2015 marks a year of consolidation for Maserati. The Italian luxury car brand reports a solid 6.1 percent sales increase across the Middle East, India and Africa region for the first half of 2015 compared to the same period of 2014. The models most in demand were the two luxury sedan models Quattroporte and Ghibli, with the GranTurismo and GranCabrio occupying an even more exclusive niche in the sports coupe and cabriolet segment. During this period of consolidation Maserati has entered new markets across the region including South Africa and India. The company further expanded its network infrastructure with new showroom facilities in Qatar as well as new service facilities in the UAE. 2016 is set to become another milestone year for Maserati as it expects to launch its first ever luxury SUV, the Levante. Vehicle testing has recently taken place at an undisclosed area in the UAE. Taking on Porsche, as well as the BMW X6 and the Range Rover Sport, the Maserati Levante will aggressively take on a growing luxury market segment as the new kid on the block. The crossover SUV will sit on a Maserati-made platform, and it won't skimp on performance. It is expected to have a 3.0-liter V6 and four-wheel drive will be standard. The 3.8-liter V8 should be a nice option for enthusiasts. Also standard will be the luxury-minded soft-touch interior with Maserati's 8.1-inch Touch Control interface. For the 2018 model year an astronomical 560 horsepower V8 engine is expected. Production is expected to start soon at the Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy. The 2016 Maserati Levante will be released in the 2015 calendar year. Managing Director of Maserati Middle East, India & Africa Umberto Cini said “the Levante will be a milestone for Maserati and this year is all about getting ready for the next chapter in Maserati's history. We expect significant demand for the Levante, given the SUV affinity of this region, but at the same time we must maintain the utmost level of service and exclusivity our clients expect from Maserati.” Maserati aims to expand its share of the luxury vehicle niche to sales of up to 75,000 vehicles per year worldwide by entering new markets as well as the addition of new products to its portfolio. — SG
