What's all this about?

This is Maserati's first 4x4 or SUV in more than 100 years of car making. It's called the Levante and it will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show, prior to a Europe-wide market launch in spring 2016.

What do we know about the Levante beyond its looks?

Not a huge amount, as it is the styling upon which Maserati wishes to focus. You'll note the reasonably handsome big SUV has some classic Trident identifiers, such as tapered headlights, an oval grille and three air vents on the car's front wings. It might not be the most striking SUV ever penned but it's also not hideous to behold either, so it's bound to find plenty of buyers.

Can you tell me anything about the tech?

Maserati wants the Levante to be as sporty to drive as the rest of its product offerings, so all models will benefit from electronic suspension with adjustable damping and air springs, Q4 intelligent all-wheel drive and an eight-speed automatic gearbox that has been tweaked specifically for the SUV. A range of EU6-compliant petrol and diesel engines, plucked from the existing range, will provide the motive power.

You said a European launch in spring - does that mean it's already being built?

Yes; the first examples of the Levante have already rolled off the production line at the Mirafiori plant in Turin. Following its European debut, the Levante will spread globally throughout the rest of 2016.