What the brand was missing is a car that not only impresses in terms of looks and sound, but also in the sum of its talents. The new Maserati Grecale aims to be just that. And at first glance it works.
A Maserati on par with its closest competitors
The cloth is pulled and the joy is great, at least among the fans of the Maserati brand. Because with the new Grecale, the trident is finally sharpened again. And that in perhaps the most important segment of all: the D-SUV. So: Macan, Q5, GLC, X3 and Co. It will be above all the drive technologies in which the Maserati Grecale (vehicles are not for sale, homologation pending)². is ahead of the competition. Because it not only comes with a four-cylinder hybrid, a technically impressive V6 biturbo from the MC20 super sports car, but also a fully electric version.
The Maserati Grecale Folgore EV will have one of the largest batteries in the segment
The Folgore is remarkable because the Giorgrio platform underpinning the Grecale – known from the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio – was not intended for battery-electric use at all. It was then trimmed down in Modena for use in the new SUV. The technical data are still convincing: 400 kilowatts, i.e. 544 hp in old currency and a generous 800 Nm should ensure impressive driving performance. The battery, which is extremely generous at 105 kWh, should still ensure very good ranges. In view of the high capacity, the charging power should also be slightly higher than that of the competition, despite only 400 V architecture.
Pretty big for a little one
With an overall length of 4.85 meters, the Grecale is of remarkable length for a “small” SUV. This is mainly due to the fact that its wheelbase has been stretched by a whole nine centimeters compared to the Stelvio. It should therefore offer significantly more comfort and freedom of movement, especially in terms of interior dimensions. No disadvantage, as the previous Giorgio models did not exactly stand out due to their generous amount of space. Details such as the air suspension available for all models clearly show that the Grecale is stretching in the direction of the upper class.
Emotional design with references to the past
The narrow radiator grille with the prominent trident is a must for every Maserati. In the Grecale, it is embedded in a surprisingly long bonnet and many flowing lines. The small SUV comes across as almost puristic, and without any design effects it achieves a level of perfection that only really good designers can put on paper. Details such as fully recessed door handles or the boomerang light strips in the rear lights testify to progressiveness and understanding of the brand in equal measure. Because the Grecale is immediately identifiable as a Maserati without being boring.
An interior with an intelligent assistant
The times of “Mamma Mia” are over, because you shouldn’t lose yourself cursing in the depths of the infotainment system. Thanks to the Maserati Intelligent Assistant, MIA for short, with its double touchscreen in the center console, user-friendliness is raised to a new level. The curved glass cover, which covers the top 12-inch and bottom 9-inch screen in one piece, is also very visually appealing. While you control the infotainment and navigation system at the top, there are the vehicle functions such as air conditioning and Co. at the bottom. The elimination of most physical controls also created a lot of free space in the Grecale, which is exploited with the extensive use of the finest leather. Which in turn underlines the high-class impression.
Nettuno six-cylinder and two in-line four-cylinder to start
While all Maserati Grecales come to customers with four-wheel drive, there’s more choice under the hood. Three engine variants can be ordered from the start in summer 2022: two four-cylinder and one six-cylinder. The entry is a 300 hp two-liter turbo, which is supported by a 48 V mild hybrid, with which the Grecale can accelerate to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. Above that is the Grecale GT, whose two-liter turbo gets an electric compressor as a preliminary stage and thus achieves 330 hp. It sprints to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 240 km/h.
As in other series, the Trofeo model ranks as the top model. It’s powered by a 3.0-litre V6 based on the MC20’s Nettuno engine. With 530 hp and 620 Nm, it ensures breathtaking driving performance and gives the competition a lot of headaches. With 3.8 seconds for the 100cc sprint and a top speed of 280 km/h, the performance is at the absolute top level.
Market launch and prices
The Maserati Grecale cannot yet be ordered, but deliveries should start in late summer. There are also no official statements about the prices. If you look at the Porsche Macan, then entry should start at around 65,000 euros, but a fully equipped Trofeo will quickly drift into the six-figure range. (Text: Fabian Mechtel | Images: Maserati)
