Maserati has pushed back the release of their upcoming Grecale compact SUV due to the chip shortage, and as such, we continue to see prototypes of the SUV driving out and about. The latest one captured by Carscoops spy photographers is another prototype for the performance-oriented Trofeo variant, and it gives us our best look at it yet.
The exterior design is nothing we haven’t
seen already on other Grecale prototypes before, with its prominent Maserati
grille, narrow taillights, and MC20-esque headlights that run vertically down
the hood. This one, though, along with the other Trofeo test cars, manages to
differentiate itself from the regular Grecale with larger trident-spoke wheels
and sportier brakes with red calipers and drilled rotors. There are likely also
more aggressive front and rear bumper designs, but it’s hard to tell under all
the camouflage.
More important than the exterior, though,
is the fact that photographers were able to capture some of the first shots
of the SUV’s interior. That being said, given how heavily it’s camouflaged,
there really isn’t much to see, but based on what’s visible, we can at least
confirm the design of the steering wheel and the seats. Additionally, as
evidenced by the mismatched door card and seat upholstery, the SUV will
seemingly offer at least a brown and a red color option for the interior. And
while hard to make out for sure, it appears as if Maserati will be eschewing
traditional door handles in favor of electronic release buttons on the door
pull.
It’s been speculated that the Grecale
Trofeo could be powered by the 2.9L twin-turbocharged V6 found in Alfa Romeo‘s
Quadrifoglio models, or possibly even a slightly detuned version of the 3.0L
twin-turbo V6 from the MC20 supercar. Either option would be more than exciting
enough, and would surely give it the chops to take on rivals like the Porsche
Macan GTS. Normal variants of the Grecale are expected to be powered by a
turbocharged and supercharged 2.0L inline-four that features mild-hybrid
technology.
