It hasn’t even been two years since Maserati unveiled the Levante at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show. But a lot’s happened to the exotic SUV market since then.

Lamborghini’s introduced the Urus, Porsche’s rolled out a new Cayenne, and Maserati’s own sister brand Alfa Romeo has joined in on the action with the Stelvio. All the while the Bentley Bentayga and Jaguar F-Pace keep dicing it with the latest from the likes of Mercedes, BMW, and Audi for their share of a growing marketplace.

Maserati’s not prepared to just give up, though. On the contrary: it has an even more potent and capable version of the Levante in the works, and here’s our best look at it yet.

Anticipated to carry the GTS designation, the ultimate version of the Trident marque’s crossover is tipped to pack a V8 engine. The smart money’s on the 3.8-liter twin-turbo unit developed by Ferrari and currently found in the Quattroporte GTS, where it produces 523 horsepower.

That’d put it just behind (but still in the same league) as the Cayenne Turbo, Range Rover Sport SVR, BMW X6 M, Mercedes-AMG GLE 63, and even the Bentayga V8. With a little extra tweaking, it could even give those a run for their money. A lot of money.

As you can see from these spy shots (captured by S. Baldauf at SB-Medien and the shutterbugs at CarPix), the Levante GTS will get more than just a bigger engine. It’s also expected to get larger air vents to keep it cool, enhanced aero to keep it glued to the road, and upgraded suspension, wheels, and brakes to keep it all under control.

Though still partially camouflaged, we’d expect Maserati to take the wraps off the Levante GTS at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Photo Credits: CarPix & S.Baldauf/SB-Medien for Carscoops