Every automaker, especially the premium ones, endeavors to distinguish itself in a crowded market, even if the approach may not always resonate.
Witnessing a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, a Lamborghini Urus, a Ferrari Purosangue, an Aston Martin DBX, or a BMW XM Label Red for the first time is an experience intended to leave a lasting impression, aspired by every carmaker. However, missteps occur, and one such misstep originates from an Italian brand.
Despite the European peninsula’s renowned artistic flair, Maserati’s venture into the mid-size luxury crossover arena with the Levante fell short. Named after a warm Mediterranean wind, this design fails to captivate, resembling more an oversized hatchback from the 1990s than a standout executive CUV.
Of course, beauty is subjective, inviting dissenting opinions. Indeed, someone deemed it worthy of a successor following its original production run from 2016 to 2023, with the remaining stock permitted to be sold until 2024.
This individual, entrenched in the imaginative world of digital car content creators, embarked on revitalizing the Levante through CGI, envisioning its resurrection with a Cupra model.
This virtual artist, known as Theottle on social media, recently employed CGI techniques to transform the uninspiring Maserati Levante into a sleeker, more modern iteration, integrating design elements from Volkswagen AG’s Cupra brand.
While the result presents a more athletic silhouette, the edgier headlights deviate from Maserati’s typical aesthetic, and the rear, characterized by a full-width LED band, lacks novelty.
However, the true potential lies beneath the surface. If this second-generation Levante emerges as a larger full-size crossover, available in both BEV and ICE variants borrowing powertrains from its American division, it could emerge as a formidable contender in the luxury segment, especially with the introduction of the new 3.0-liter Hurricane inline-six turbo engines.