Maserati. Just the name sends a thrilling tingle down the spine. The Levante, the company's first stab at an SUV, incites the same reaction. Sleek lines and sumptuous details dominate the luxurious vehicle. Wilde Maserati of Sarasota unveiled the vehicle yesterday at an event that oozed class; a crowd of well-heeled Sarasotans sipped on fruity cocktails and indulged in crab cakes and chocolate-covered strawberries while the sounds of Frank Sinatra crooned in the background. The scene mirrored the car itself—distinctly Italian. The Levante is clearly associated with its sports-car counterparts, with Maserati design signatures visible on each side: the three iconic air vents on the front wings, the trapezoidal C-pillar with the "Saetta" logo and the large, frameless door windows. 

"The three pillars of Maserati are performance, design and exclusivity," said Maserati Regional Marketing Manager Vinny Russo. "This truck encompasses all of these better than any other of the cars. It's distinctively Maserati." He pointed out this SUV can go from 60 to zero miles per hour in 113 feet, outbraking a Ferrari F430 and a Lamborghini Gallardo. And Floridians can rejoice—the Levante features a door with no frame and a sealed rocker panel, meaning you won't get the bottom of your pants or dress wet when getting in and out of the car in the rain. 

Wilde Maserati of Sarasota, 4821 Clark Road, Sarasota, 941-924-3019