Novitec Unveils Maserati Levante During Gala at Pirelli P-ZERO World Los Angeles
Renowned tuner Novitec invited us to schmooze with Los Angeles’ elites at Pirelli P-ZERO World.
Of course, we weren’t just there for the food and free drinks (although, it was certainly a perk). We were there to witness Novitec’s live unveiling of their latest body kit for the Maserati Levante SUV. Said Levante was conveniently tucked beneath a black velvet cover. In the interim, we were treated to the audio-visual spectacle that surrounds the Novitec brand, and it’s clientele.
Guarding the entrance was a duo of Lamborghinis. In their matching blue hues, this Aventador and Huracan pairing were very flashy. Only an Aventador could leave a bright blue Huracan roadster feeling demure and toned down. In Novitec guise, the angular, aggressive styling is turned up to 11. [Click on the images for larger resolution.]
Pirelli P-ZERO World is a blend of exotic automotive design in lounge-form, and a tire shop. During the briefing, we were told that while the experience here was geared towards higher-end clientele, this is still a tire shop. Anyone and everyone can come here and grab some Pirelli rubber for their ride. Let’s take a look around the joint. [Click on the images for larger resolution.]
This is unlike any tire shop I’ve ever visited. Between the “wall fixtures,” outdoor patio dining and the Formula One car parked in the middle of it, it’s bizarre, but very, very cool. Personally, I was quite content sitting outside, swathed in the warmth of this mild California Spring weather. Oh, and that this was also outside, was a big plus.
Novitec all the things: an exotic model gallery
But that’s just the venue. A cool venue, but not the focus of the event. Parked beside Novitec’s latest creation hidden beneath the veil were several other Novitec-tuned supercars. For example, this black, black and blacker (with just a hint of gold) Ferrari F12 Berlinetta:
Very subtle, especially the gold “FUCK YOU…PAY ME” on the back. then again, I’m a sucker for the small details.
That it sounds like this, makes any aesthetic discrepancies fade into obscurity:
Only in this company does this McLaren seem positively tame in it’s get up of black and carbon fiber. Though the woman on the wall, draped in leather posing Spread Eagle does add a touch of flair.
As the sun set and the mood lighting was set just so, the dignitaries and us media schmucks alike were beckoned inside. Wrapping ourselves around the Levante-sized black cover, we were given short speeches by both a Pirelli exec and then a Novitec exec. They both seemed passionate about their work, and what they were hoping to achieve. However, all eyes were clearly on the little black dress behind them.
Without further ado, the Novitec Maserati Levante was unsheathed, and many cameras began firing off. Professional social media personalities waved their phones frivolously and stoked the flames of the Great Instagram and SnapChat machines. Photographers readied their gimbals and held their rigs high above the crowd, hoping to get the first live shots. Then, there was me, halfway through a glass of wine, biding my time until the crowds cleared. Strategy: Play with the DSLR for a few minutes, finish my drink, and getting things ready.
This is the Novitec-tuned Maserati Levante.
Credit where it’s due: the Novitec kit looks fabulous. It takes the normally snub-nosed aesthetic of the Levante and improves it in every way. The stanard car looks somewhat ungainly, with it’s big maw, and narrow body. The flared out fenders improve the general proportions and the overall execution is fantastic. This looks like a factory-effort option.
After some more schmoozing, and a bit more drinking, the party was coming to a close. However, I wanted to take a few more shots on the way out:
