High-end German tuner NOVITEC has introduced a new customisation range for Maserati’s Levante including petrol and diesel engine remapping and cosmetic parts, the first time it has turned its attention to the personalisation of an SUV.
NOVITEC aims to highlight the high-performance character of the Italian 4x4 with a particularly powerful variant of the twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine rated at 494 HP and producing a peak torque of 660 Nm. With it, the tuned SUV has a claimed 0-100 km/h of 4.8 seconds while top speed increases to 272 km/h. Performance upgrades will also be available for the two diesel models.
Further NOVITEC upgrades for the Levante include carbon aerodynamic-enhancement components with sporty styling, 22-inch king-sized wheels, a ride-height lowering module for the suspension, active sound tuning for the diesel, and exclusive options for the interior.
NOVITEC’s N-TRONIC plug-and-play performance kits release additional power through re-mapping of the electronic engine control unit. In the most powerful variant, which in the Levante S is rated at 430 HP (all data is claimed), NOVITEC engineering boosts the output of the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine by 64 HP while peak torque grows by 80 Nm. With a new output of 494 HP, achieved at a low 5,300 rpm and 660 Nm, which are on tap constantly between 1,700 and 4,900 rpm, the all-wheel-drive SUV sprints from zero to 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds. Top speed increases from stock the 264 km/h to 272 km/h.
Because the diesel models account for a large percentage of Levant models sold, NOVITEC also offers engine tuning for the two versions of the three-litre six-cylinder common-rail compression-ignition engine. On the version rated at 275 HP as standard, the installation of the N-TRONIC tuning module unleashes an additional 47 HP and boosts torque by 80 Nm. In harmony with the eight-speed automatic, the NOVITEC version of the Levante turbodiesel with 322 HP at a low 3,800 rpm and a peak torque of 680 Nm at an even lower 2,200 rpm accelerates from rest to 100 km/h in 6.2 seconds or seven-tenths of a second faster than the production car.
Even more important for day-to-day driving is the fact that thanks to the increase in torque, the SUV can be operated in even more superior fashion and consequently remains fuel-efficient despite the improved driving performance.
There is also a NOVITEC N-TRONIC performance module for the diesel variant rated ex-factory at 250 HP, which is available on the Italian market. After the installation of the module, the driver commands 301 HP and 680 Nm of torque.
Also available for the diesel versions of the Levante is the NOVITEC module for the standard electronic ‘Active Sound System’ for the exhaust. When the driver pushes the ‘Sport’ button in the cockpit, the processor-driven auxiliary control unit lends the V6 turbodiesel an even more thrilling engine sound.
The performance gains are complemented by sportier looks courtesy of the NOVITEC designers. To this end, NOVITEC offers aerodynamic-enhancement parts that it claims have been optimised in the wind tunnel. As a welcome secondary effect, these components result in further improved handling stability at high speeds by reducing aerodynamic lift on the front and rear axle.
The NOVITEC bodywork components are made from carbon and represent a combination of lightweight construction and strength. Because of their precise fit, the components also spare the Levante owner the expenses for painting the attachments. The NOVITEC bodywork conversion comprises of new front and rear spoilers, side skirts, wheel arch covers and a rear diffuser.
There are also 22-inch one-piece NOVITEC NM1 wheels with five double-spokes comes with a silver, matte black, or titanium finish. The latter is also available with a polished wheel centre. The wheels are size 9Jx22 at the front and 11Jx22 on the rear and are mounted with high-performance street tyres size 265/35 ZR 22 and 295/30 ZR 22.
To round off the looks and further improve the handling, NOVITEC lowers the ride height of the Italian high-class SUV by about 25 millimetres with the help of modified controls for the standard air suspension.
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