tow hitch/package
The search for a Maserati retro fit hitch kit has been one of the most interesting and infuriating experiences of my car buying life. After contacting several dealerships, in service, sales and parts, here is the information received from these folks.
1. Some say you cannot retro fit a hitch package to any Levante. It can only come on cars built in Italy.
2. Some say you can only do it on vehicles with certain VINs after a certain number that they could not provide. It had something to do with US regulations and certification. It's far too confusing to repeat the entire story.
3. Some say they can do it, but must remove all the rear body panels and the rear exhaust system to do it and add new skid plates.
4. Those that claim it can be done charge around $3000, all in.
5. Installation alone, from those dealerships who would provide just a little information but no parts numbers was about $2500. They would not provide the parts numbers unless I told them they would also do the install.
6. Maserati USA has completely different information than Maserati in Italy.
This was bizarre to say the least. There are a few new Levante's, even a few 2017's, for sale that have the package. The issue is that to get the options I want on a Levante, those that directly compete with what I want on a loaded Cayenne or X5, I must order it from the factory. So many of the few Levantes with tow come so specialized with oodles of color, cosmetic and upholstery options (some pretty bizarre), that well equipped ones in stock are priced with or beyond Cayenne GTS' and X5M's. And, I'm sorry but, $3000 is outrageous. This is a hitch on an SUV, not a 612 Scaglietti.
It is so frustrating that even if I find one in stock that I really like, I must pass because the dealership or the factory didn't include a $650 tow package on a $90,000 SUV, or a simple and reasonably priced retro fit.
I guess this is the "price of admission" to the Maserati club.