Long-awaited debut: Maserati Grecale crossover

This car was announced in the fall of 2020, and its premiere was supposed to take place a year ago. The event was postponed twice, but now the Maserati Grecale crossover is still declassified. It bears the name of the wind in the Mediterranean, and in the range table it is one step lower than the Levante model.

However, in reality, Grecale is only slightly more compact than its older brother: the length is 4846 mm versus 5003 mm. In width, the novelty is inferior to the Levante by only 20 mm (1948 mm for the basic version), and in height by only 9 mm (1670 mm). That is, Grecale is noticeably larger than its main competitor Porsche Macan (4681 mm in length).

Familiar design elements are carefully preserved: the oval air intake of the front bumper, the low nose of the hood and the air vents in the front fenders. And the shape of the rear lights, as planned, should resemble a 1998 Maserati 3200 GT sports car. You can choose between 19″, 20″ or 21 wheels.

It is based on the Giorgio platform, on which the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio models are based, but there are important differences. And this is not just an extended wheelbase: 2,901 mm versus 2,818 mm for the Stelvio. The Maserati crossover is offered not only with a basic spring suspension, but also as an option with three-chamber air struts, providing a ground clearance range of 65 mm. Front – double-lever, rear – multi-link.

The original scale includes three versions. All of them have an eight-speed automatic ZF and all-wheel drive with a front axle clutch, and the driveshaft is made of carbon fiber. The base Maserati Grecale GT is a mild hybrid, featuring a 2.0-litre V4 with a combined supercharger (turbocharger and electric supercharger) and a 48-volt starter generator (belt driven). Recoil – 300 hp and 450 Nm. Such a crossover can accelerate to “hundreds” in 5.6 seconds, the maximum speed is 240 km/h.

The second version is called Grecale Modena and in the characteristics it is only increased to 330 hp power and a self-locking rear axle. Even the torque is the same 450 Nm. Acceleration time to 100 km / h is reduced to 5.3 s. The curb weight of the four-cylinder modifications is 1870 and 1895 kg, respectively.

At the top of the range is the Maserati Grecale Trofeo crossover (yellow car in the photos), which can be distinguished by a more aggressive body kit. Under the hood is a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine from the Nettuno series, which debuted in the Maserati MC20 supercar. Although for SUVs the return is reduced to 530 hp and 620 Nm. Such a Grecale does not have an electric superstructure, but is equipped with air suspension, and another plus is an electronically controlled rear differential. Curb weight – 2027 kg, maximum speed – 285 km / h, acceleration to “hundreds” – in 3.8 s.

All versions of the Grecale have a VDCM (Vehicle Dynamic Control Module) driving system that provides Comfort, GT, Sport and Off-Road modes by default. The latter implies an increase in ground clearance of 30 mm for vehicles with air suspension. The “hot” Grecale Trofeo also has a more extreme Corsa preset with Launch Control. The selector on the steering wheel is responsible for changing modes.

Inside – with four screens on the front panel. The 12.3-inch passive instrument display has three display modes (four for the Trophy version). There are two touch screens on the center console. The top 12.3-inch is the Maserati Intelligent Assistant (MIA) media system with the Android OS shell. And the lower 8.8-inch screen controls climate control and other “comfort” settings.

The clock at the top of the dashboard is digital (a first for Maserati): in addition to the usual dial, this screen can display a compass, stopwatch and throttle sensor, as well as display a voice assistant. In addition, there is a separate 6.5-inch screen in the back row (for the third climate control zone), and for an extra charge a head-up display in front of the driver is offered.

For interior decoration, genuine leather, wood veneer and carbon fiber are used. Among the options are a panoramic roof, an audio system from the Italian company Sonus Faber (14 or 21 speakers), parking sensors and a second-level autopilot, that is, adaptive cruise control operating at speeds up to 210 km / h. Trunk volume is 535 liters for mild hybrids (with battery in the rear overhang) and 570 liters for the Trophy version.

And the Grecale will be Maserati's first electric car! True, this will happen only in a year. But the battery version of Grecale Folgore has already been shown in the photographs and the main parameters have been made public. The crossover will have a 400-volt electrical system and a 105 kWh battery, while the electric motors will deliver up to 800 Nm of torque.

The Maserati Grecale will be built at the same Stellantis plant in Cassino as Alfa, with an 800 million euro investment. Sales will start in the second half of the year. Prices have not yet been announced, but there is a benchmark: about 60 thousand euros for the basic version of the GT. By 2025, two crossovers (Grecale and Levante) should account for three-quarters of Maserati's sales.