The upcoming Maserati Levante SUV is tipped to set UK customers back about 55,000 pounds when it hits the local market there in December 2016 according to Auto Express.

This price will make the Levante about 5,000 pounds more expensive than the entry-level Ghibli sedan and sit in-line with the likes of the Porsche Cayenne and Range Rover Sport.

Maserati believes the launch of the Levante could see sales figures in the UK double to around 3,000, compared to the 1,400 that will be delivered by year’s end. Parent company FCA also expects profits to increase.

In order to cope with this expected demand, Maserati will be expanding its range of UK dealerships from the existing 18 to 26. Overall, the company’s first-ever SUV is of great importance to the Italian firm, as its success will be crucial in achieving Maserati’s goal of hitting 70,000 annual sales by 2018.

As for the Levante itself, it has already been penciled in for a debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show in March. It will be underpinned by the same platform as the Ghibli and Quattroporte and use variants of their V6 and V8 engines.

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