The first Maserati Kubang concept vehicle was was brought to the 2003 Detroit Auto Show. Maserati said about the earlier iteration of the Kubang, "At a time in which few other brands were going in the direction of a sport luxury SUV, Maserati was already thinking to build one." Of course then Maserati dragged its feet and let its competitors come out with SUVs like the Land Rover Range Rover Sport, BMW X5 and X6 M, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, etc...
Perhaps it is because Maserati now has access to the Grand Cherokee platform because of its position within the Fiat group, but now Maserati is ready to actually put the Kubang into production as the Levante.
Other than the change in name though, the Levante seems to be pretty much the same as the Levante. I guess Kubang just wasn't a very good name (which I completely agree with.)
Perhaps it is because Maserati now has access to the Grand Cherokee platform because of its position within the Fiat group, but now Maserati is ready to actually put the Kubang into production as the Levante.
Other than the change in name though, the Levante seems to be pretty much the same as the Levante. I guess Kubang just wasn't a very good name (which I completely agree with.)