2023 Maserati Grecale
So here it is: the all-new Grecale, Maserati’s smaller sister to the Levante SUV. We take a close look at the Trident’s Porsche Macan rival.
MASERATI GRECALE It’s All Grecale To Us
All the lowdown on the Trident’s latest newcomer
Story by Chris Rees
Hot on the heels of Alfa Romeo’s new Tonale is another more compact Italian SUV from sister brand Maserati. The Grecale – pronounced ‘greh-car-lay’ and as ever named after a Mediterranean wind – slots in below the Levante. It’s based on the ‘Giorgio’ platform that underpins the Alfa Stelvio, but with increased dimensions.
The launch Grecale line-up is three strong: entry-level GT (300hp 2.0-litre four-cylinder hybrid), Modena (330hp hybrid) and Trofeo (530hp V6), with a full-electric Folgore model to follow. The new Grecale is produced alongside the Stelvio at Stellantis’ Cassino plant in Italy. Prices have yet to be announced but we would expect the range to start at something like £50,000. Here’s the promising news. Maserati is claiming bestin- class status in terms of handling, acceleration, speed, sound quality and interior space. So what are the details of the Grecale range and spec?
DESIGN
The front end features a low, imposing grille which, for the Trofeo, juts further forwards. Overall, the look is lithe and sporty by SUV standards, with soft, fluid lines, trapezoidal highlights and technical details picked out in special finishes like carbonfibre. The sporty shape is emphasised by a coupe-like profile and low stance, while the taillights recall somewhat the classic 3200 GT’s ‘boomerang’ profile.
The Modena and Trofeo models have a 34mm wider rear track than the GT, giving them a more dynamic stance, enhanced by unique side skirts and bumpers. New Trident-inspired alloy wheels come in sizes from 19 to 21 inches.
Inside, the dash features no fewer than four digital screens: the main instrument display, a central 12.3-inch touchscreen, a smaller 8.8-inch ‘comfort’ panel and a ‘smartwatch’ clock (replacing the traditional analogue Maserati item). This all cleans up the facia design and almost eliminates buttons. The centre display incorporates diffused light, producing what Maserati calls a ‘living room’ effect.
The flat-bottomed steering wheel holds the enginestart button and driving mode control, while there are huge metal gearchange paddles behind it. As you’d expect, there are lots of luxury materials in the cabin, including wood, carbonfibre and leather upholstery (the latter featuring the Maserati Trident embossed in the headrests). The dashboard has double-saddle stitching, too. A new Sonus Faber sound system includes lasercut metal speaker grilles. The large 2901mm wheelbase provided generous rear seat space, while the 535-litre boot has a flat load platform.
ENGINES
The most exciting model in the range is the top-spec Trofeo, which uses a detuned version of the MC20’s Nettuno V6 engine (530hp versus 630hp).
Differences include a wet sump rather than a dry one and cylinder deactivation for efficiency, but the 3.0-litre twin-turbo unit retains the MC20’s dual-chamber combustion system.
The other two models – GT and Modena – are both hybrids, sharing the powertrain already seen in the Ghibli and Levante. This combines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with a mild hybrid system (Belt Starter Generator, 48V battery, e-Booster compressor and converter). Battery power is designed both to reduce fuel consumption and boost performance when in Sport mode. Maserati is promising the Grecale hybrid’s soundtrack will “retain the usual characteristics of any other Trident-brand car.” The GT has 300hp, the Modena 330hp.
CHASSIS
Maserati has developed a new Vehicle Dynamic Control Module (VDCM) system for the Grecale, directly evolved from the MC20’s CDCM system. This controls all vehicle dynamics (vertical, longitudinal and lateral) and uses predictive, rather than reactive, electronics. It’s promised to provide “a clear distinction” between each of the drive modes.
Speaking of which, there are up to five: Comfort, GT, Sport, Race and Off-Road. Comfort is intended for everyday use, limiting engine power, kickdown, gearchange speed, suspension rigidity and electric power steering resistance. GT mode sharpens up the dynamics somewhat, while Sport gives peak power, opens up the active exhaust valves, sharpens the steering and lowers the ride height by 15mm. In Off- Road mode, the gearchanges are softer, the rev limiter is activated and driving height rises by 20mm.
Corsa (Race) mode is fitted to the Trofeo only, giving the full beans in terms of pedal sensitivity, gearchange speed and kickdown, while the traction control is much less active and Launch Control is activated. Air suspension is standard on the Trofeo (and optional on hybrid versions), offering six levels of suspension adjustment and up to 65mm of ride height difference. Variable full-time four-wheel drive is standard for all Grecales, as is ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.
LAUNCH RANGE
The entry-level GT is described as “urban, minimal and contemporary” with Saffiano leather seat inserts, burnished trim and “warm and enveloping” colour options (including a new Bronzo Opaco paint colour). 19-inch alloy wheels are standard (20 or 21 optional), while there are body-colour bumpers and side skirts, brushed chrome external trim and chrome-plated quad exhausts.
The Modena provides “timeless elegance”, says Maserati, with embroidered and stitched cabin elements, dark ash burl inserts and “energetic and elegant” colours including Grigio Cangiante. Standard are 20-inch alloy wheels, gloss black trim details and dark exhausts.
The Trofeo is all about performance. There’s plenty of carbonfibre and perforated leather in the cabin, a choice of two-tone upholstery and stitching in either yellow or red. The Giallo Corse launch colour is very striking, while 21-inch alloys are standard, alongside sports exhausts and carbonfibre inserts for the bumpers and side skirts.
NEXT UP: ALL-ELECTRIC GRECALE FOLGORE
In 2023, a full-electric version of the Grecale will follow. Called Folgore, full details have yet to be revealed but it will have a 105kWh battery pack, 400V technology and offer a whopping 800Nm of torque. Its cabin will use Econyl, a recycled nylon made from fishing nets recovered from the sea. A new exclusive colour called Rame Folgore (pictured below) will be offered, an iridescent finish that combines warm copper hues with cooler shades of bluish grey.
Maserati promises classleading pace and handling. Famous dash clock is now a digital ‘stopwatch’
Big twin-screen centre dash all but eliminates buttons. Stitched leather and carbon feature strongly in cabin
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS GRECALE TROFEO / GRECALE MODENA / GRECALE GT
- ENGINE: 3000cc twin-turbo V6 1995cc 4-cyl hybrid 1995cc 4-cyl hybrid
- BORE X STROKE: 88mm x 82mm 84mm x 90mm 84mm x 90mm
- POWER: 530hp at 6500 rpm 330hp at 5750rpm 300hp at 5750rpm
- TORQUE: 620Nm at 3000rpm 450Nm at 2000rpm 450Nm at 2000rpm
- GEARBOX: 8-speed auto, 4WD 8-speed auto, 4WD 8-speed auto, 4WD
- BRAKES: 360mm/350mm 350mm/330mm 350mm/330mm
- TYRES: 255/40 R21 (fr), 295/35 R21 ® 255/45 R20 (fr), 295/40 R20 ® 235/55 R19 (fr & r)
- DIMENSIONS: 4859mm (L), 1979mm (W), 1659mm (H) 4847mm (L), 1979mm (W), 1667mm (H) 4846mm (L), 1948mm (W), 1670mm (H)
- WEIGHT: 2027kg 1895kg 1870kg
- MAX SPEED: 177mph 149mph 149mph
- 0-62MPH: 3.8sec 5.3sec 5.6sec
- FUEL CONSUMPTION: 25.2mpg 32.1mpg 32.5mpg
- CO2 EMISSIONS: 254g/km 199g/km 198g/km