As it soaks up newfound love from an absentee parent, Maserati plans on bringing its best to the New York International Auto Show. The Italian marque recently announced it intends to cart its entire vehicle lineup to the venue — with a special focus on a new customization program and the Levante SUV, which it calls a “New York favorite.”
We consider every Maserati a New York favorite, as you rarely see them anywhere but along the coastal United States. While the company does have dealerships in places like St. Louis and Kansas City, you only need a quick peek at a national dealer map to realize which side of the bread holds the butter.
Despite Maserati bringing a full ship to Manhattan next week, a 2019 Levante SUV with bespoke interior by Ermenegildo Zegna will be the main attraction. Officially called the “Zegna Levante S Q4 GranSport,” the vehicle offers a very premium looking bronze exterior. However, the main attraction is on the inside. Maserati fitted the model with a “PELLETESSUTA” (trademarked and styled, obnoxiously, in all-caps for the press release) interior.
“The supple woven Nappa leather interior was created through the pioneering research of Ermenegildo Zegna and is showcased exclusively in this Maserati Levante,” explained the automaker. “The soft, luxurious, lightweight material is not only durable but brings comfort and beauty to the Levante interior. Through a longstanding partnership between Zegna and Maserati, two historical Italian companies, Maserati is the only automotive company to bring this elevated PELLETESSUTA interior to the market. This unique interior trim will begin arriving in North American showrooms in the Spring of 2020 on multiple models.”
Interestingly, the direct translation (according to google) for PELLETESSUTA is “SKIN FABRIC” or “WOVEN SKIN.” Things get lost in translation, but that sounds like something you’d read in a serial killer’s dream journal — especially when it’s written in all caps, like they can’t get the idea out of their head and repeatedly wake up in a cold sweat until they finally have the opportunity to kill again.
Regardless, it all fits perfectly with the other element Maserati wants to push in New York. The company intends to introduce its new “One of One” customization program on April 17th. Details are scarce, but it sounds very similar to Bentley and Aston Martin’s advanced customization services, both of which allow bad taste to flourish. But we aren’t complaining. It’s your business to make your automobile as hideous or handsome as you want. We’re just happy automakers are willing to provide such a robust list of options, even if it’s just high-end manufacturers charging you an arm and a leg for the privilege.
It isn’t known if Maserati’s One of One will be quite as elaborate as Aston’s Q, though the company promises a bespoke vehicle and “thousands of interior and exterior options.” It also claims a mystery celebrity will be on hand next week to take ownership of a personalized One Of One Levante GTS. The program is said to roll out in North American in the near future “to satisfy the discerning tastes of clients.”
[Images: Maserati]
The advantage of a Maserati in NYC is that it’ll always be a short tow to the nearest dealer.
Very sick burn.
I have always wondered about the Maserati brand: Is it performance focused or luxury focused? I think the answer may be neither.
To me, that interior looks like a domestic mainstream SUV.
Maserati is supposed to be an entry-level exotic brand, kind of like Porsche and the Range Rover sub-brand. (By contrast, Alfa Romeo is intended to be FCA’s mainstream luxury brand in the same tier as BMW, Lexus, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, et al). However, Maserati doesn’t quite have the panache to pull it off yet, since it has been so irrelevant to most people for so long. Also, the cars are not appreciably better than their mainstream counterparts in ways that people care about. There’s not a great reason to buy a Ghibli over a 5 Series. So, Maserati resorts to playing up its Italian-ness to sell cars.
Have you ever heard a Ghibli’s exhaust? I’d say that’s one big selling point. Otherwise, agree completely with what you’re saying.
Maserati makes the most overpriced cars on the market. Which means demand huge discounts or buy slightly used and drive only weekends around neighborhood to impress neighbors.
That bronze color is gorgeous.
It is.
Some makes just should never produce SUVs…this is one of them. Look at the Maserati car in the group photo and then look at the same styling transposed to the SUV…ugh.
Guess they really want you to think this is a Buick.
(portholes, just in case….)
Take a first-gen Buick Enclave in lovely brown paint. Shove it in the food dehydrator. Remove the shrunken result and expand its grill using a chainsaw. Voila, this Maserati.