As guests make their way up the escalator to the second floor, they can catch a glimpse of it.

The shiny smooth black finish and sleek design of the 2022 Maserati Levante Modena S stands out. At $133,795, it is believed to be the most expensive new car available for purchase at the Pittsburgh International Auto Show.

The four-day event at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Downtown Pittsburgh runs through Monday.

The vehicle has a V-8 engine with 550 horsepower that can push it to 181 mph — which comes with fuel use ratings of 13 miles per gallon in the city and 20 on the highway.

Kristina Serafini | Tribune-Review A 2022 Maserati Levante Modena S, priced at $133,795, sits on display at the Pittsburgh International Auto Show at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Friday, Feb.18, 2022.  

With a dual-pane panoramic power sunroof and a Harman Kardon premium audio system with 14 speakers, the Levante Modena S is equipped with Maserati Connect, allowing the owner to be in touch with the vehicle through a smartphone, smartwatch, or a virtual assistant such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

The technology also includes: pedestrian and traffic sign recognition, a surround-view camera, navigation with real-time traffic information, up-to-date maps and a Wi-Fi hotspot.

“Maserati is about the heritage,” said digital business director Jason Moka of Rohrich Automotive Group, of Bradford Woods, which includes Maserati of Pittsburgh. “It’s an Italian car with a Ferrari engine. It’s powerful and it sounds amazing. People buy this car because of the sound.”

The Maserati is one of 400-500 cars, trucks and other vehicles in from 22 automakers, showcasing the latest safety features, technology and design.

Kristina Serafini | Tribune-Review People take in the sights at the Pittsburgh International Auto Show at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center on Friday, Feb.18, 2022.  

The show was canceled last year because of the pandemic.

“I think people are so happy to be back in person with events and shows such as this one – the Pittsburgh RV show and the Home and Garden Show are part of Pittsburgh culture this time of year,” said Lisa McIntyre, CEO of Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Association, host of the event. “And the convention center is the perfect venue for these events because it has the space and is committed to partnering with us to bring fun shows to Pittsburgh.”

She organized a career fair for 500 high school students from their school’s career technology centers. Employees from 23 dealers discussed job opportunities and inner workings of the automotive business.

McIntyre is anticipating 50,000-60,000 attendees over the course of the show.

At the auto show, guests can look at many cars in one place and not feel any pressure to buy, she said. She said with some vehicles having longer wait times, this is a good time to decide what you want so it will arrive by spring.

There are fewer vehicles and automakers than usual because of the pandemic, McIntyre said. Some brands are not allowing their people to travel yet and the chip shortage has affected some inventories, although it is getting better, she said.

“The ones who aren’t here said they will be back next year,” McIntyre said.

Being able to see the latest vehicles attracted guitarist/singer Elias Khouri of Shadyside to perform.

“Sometimes you have to perform in venues that people might not expect you to be,” Khouri said. “It’s a new experience and any new experience for an artist gives you a different perspective.”

Khouri was set up outside the second-floor showroom. Nearby, people waited for the Ford performance simulator where riders try their skill at a virtual road course.

One of those was 90-year-old Richard Clark of Titusville. When he exited the attraction, he said, “Can I open my eyes now?”

“At my age, you have to do whatever you can,” said Clark, a retired art teacher, who still drives a car. “Because I am running out of time. I hope I left some trees for some of the other riders. I think I ran over a few of them.”

JoAnne Klimovich Harrop | Tribune-Review Richard Clark, 90, of Titusville, Pa. on the Ford performance simulator, a virtual road course, at the Pittsburgh International Auto Show on Feb. 18.  

This was his first time at the show. His friend William Koller, 62, of Titusville, a retired bridge engineer, brought Clark. The two attended the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh show in Wisconsin last year where they rode in a helicopter.

A helicopter is one of the exhibits on the first floor.

Pittsburgh Heli launched in May 2021. It offers riders a tour of the city from a different angle than from Mt. Washington or West End Overlook – 500 to 1,000 feet above Pittsburgh.

“We believe everyone in Pittsburgh needs to experience this,” said Pavel Shlyahovsky, who co-owns the company with Ivan Shulikov. “Pittsburgh has the most beautiful skyline anywhere.”

Show hours are 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday

Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and military and $6 for children 6-16. Children under 6 are free.

A free shuttle runs from Gold Lot 1 at Heinz Field on the North Shore.

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