As Maserati expands into new market sectors with all-new models like the Levante, more people are getting the chance to choose the exotic Italian brand.

The spec sheet makes interesting reading. A Maserati SUV fitted with a soulful turbocharged V6 made in Modena. By Ferrari. Take that, Porsche. The 3.0-litre engine used in the Quattroporte and Ghibli has been turned up to 11 for the five-metre Levante with 345bhp and 424bhp versions, promising speed and drama in equal measure.

The Levante makes a big statement with the way it looks, although the standard 18-inch wheels on the cheaper 345bhp car are criminally small.

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It would take a brave journalist to deny that the temptation of owning a Ferrari-engined Maserati is strong. There's an exotic quality about the Levante, particularly when optioned-up to the degree that the test car is, and that puts it ahead of just about anything else in the desirability stakes. Would you rather drive something sensible and German, or a more passionate Maserati?

Even with a tall driver at the helm, there's good legroom for three rear passengers, and plenty of width in the broad cabin too.

On top of three 12-volt power sockets in the cabin, the boot has a fourth within its 580-litre cavern. The lip is high, but can be lowered with a special 'parking' ride height that drops the Levante as low as it can go. The tailgate is powered as standard.

The 345bhp car isn't actually particularly quick - for a Maserati. It responds best to manual flicks of the long-travel shift paddles south of 6,000rpm, as power tails off between there and the redline. It sounds great, though, all anger and divine retribution.

The ride is very good and cabin refinement is remarkable, allowing quiet conversation even at 125mph - good news if you have an autobahn on your doorstep. Wind and road noise on 20-inch wheels is contained impeccably. The eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox shifts smoothly, with just a murmur passing up through the car's structure with each shift.

It doesn't roll a lot even at its softest, although slimmer people will lean more than they'd like because the seats are so wide. Activate Sport Suspension with two presses of the Sport button and the Levante stays uncannily flat, gripping the road for all it's worth and giving even more confidence to push the V6 harder.

At the time of writing it had only just been confirmed that the petrol version would be coming to the UK at all, so prices were unavailable.

It's likely to cost more than the diesel, though, which will top out at round £55,000 before options - and most buyers will want a lot of

those.

Expect the Levante V6's biggest drawback to be expense. That said, for your money you do get possibly the most charismatic SUV you can buy for less than £60,000.