Maserati confirms Ghibli sedan and Levante SUV names | CarAdvice

Car Advice
  • Home
  • »  Maserati confirms Ghibli sedan and Levante SUV names

Maserati confirms Ghibli sedan and Levante SUV names

By David Zalstein |
FIND DEALS

Maserati has confirmed the names of two of its highly anticipated new models, the Ghibli sedan and Levante SUV.

The Maserati Ghibli – previously referred to as the baby-Quattroporte - is due to arrive next year ahead of the marque’s centennial in 2014 when it will be joined by the Maserati Levante – the production SUV based on the Maserati Kubang concept.

The all-new Ghibli, previously spied testing, will provide the Italian manufacturer with a smaller performance sedan to rival the likes of the BMW 5 Series, while the Maserati Levante will be the brand’s first venture into the luxury SUV market, going up against segment staples such as the Range Rover and Porsche Cayenne.

Maserati Baby-Quattroporte - 1

While initially appearing somewhat strange, the two model names are spawned of a deep heritage. The upcoming Ghibli marks the third incarnation of the name for Maserati with the original Ghibli being a two-door grand tourer launched in 1967 that preceded its second use that ran from 1992 to 1997.

Levante is the name of the car maker’s birth place, the Via Emilia Levante in Bologna, the street that saw the Maserati brothers, Alfieri, Bindo, Carlo, Ettore, and Ernesto, found the prestigious Trident-stamped company before moving to its current residence in Modena, also home to Ferrari.


 

  • Dominique Vøn Hütch

    Shame I’d actually developed a fondness for Kubang…maybe not.

    • Noddy of Toyland

      Will the shorter, coupe version of the Ghibli be called Gimli?

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=737660467 Kit Ho

    That first picture looks awfully similar to the 4008

  • Bass

    Gotta love Maserati’s names, Kubang, Levante, Ghibli, Shamal, Karif, Khamsin, Kyalami, Merak…

    • Noddy of Toyland

      Merak is my favourite. It rolls off the tongue like pouring custard.

  • Daniel

    I really didn’t like “Kubang”, but I’m not a big fan of these names either. “Ghibli” just reminds me of Studio Ghibli which makes me think Japanese, and Levante sounds like some huge American car from the eighties. Where’s the Italian influence?

    • MisterZed

      Levante reminds me of the Hyundai “Levant” which was the top of the line Sonata back in the 90s.

  • Zaccy16

    Weird names but they will be good cars!

  • AJS

    I wish they would name them something better. I can imagine someone attempting to explain they own a Ghibli to someone else. You own a whaaat mate? Couldn’t they call it the Emilia? At least that sounds somewhat attractive. It just doesn’t roll off the tongue like Maserati Quattroporte/GranTurismo. Though in general, I <3 Maserati. Such pleasant lines. And usually rarer than Ferrari here.

    • MisterZed

      Um, you’d just say you own a Maserati. You think your average Joe even knows anything beyond that – i.e. could name a specific Maserati model?

      • AJS

        Ahh thats true. I hadn’t thought of that. I stand by what I said though. They are kinda funky names. But I guess after a while they will exist along others like Tiida and Touareg. 

  • Labrys

    Am I the only one that first read “Ghibli” as “Gerbil”?
    No?
    Ok I will go back to my corner now.

  • Gaza

    most of those names are the names of winds that blow in the Mediterranean area … I reckon some Gerbils have experienced some ill winds too ..

  • Wile E Coyote

    This is a sad little corner of life for those that will never have and will  never sniff its exhaust