The 2023 Maserati Grecale joins the fold as the Italian brand’s second-ever SUV, offering multiple powertrain options when it goes on sale later this year. The 2023 Grecale will be available with both ICE and hybrid options, while an all-electric “Folgore” version will join the range later on. The Grecale takes aim at the likes of the Porsche Macan, Jaguar F-Pace, and BMW X3, sitting below the larger Levante in Italian marque’s line-up. It measures 4,859 mm long, 1,979 mm wide, and 1,659 mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,901 mm.
The Grecale features Maserati’s VDCM (Vehicle
Dynamic Control Module), an evolution from the MC20. The system predictively
controls the vehicle’s dynamics (vertical, longitudinal, lateral), working in
conjunction with the selectable drive modes to offer a more tailored driving
experience. An eight-speed automatic gearbox from ZF and all-wheel drive are
standard across the range too.
The new 2023 Grecale will be available by
the end of 2022 in four trim variants: The GT, Modena, and Trofeo, plus a
limited “PrimaSerie” launch edition. The GT and Modena both feature a
turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder mild-hybrid powertrain, in two different
states of tune — the more powerful Modena offers 325 HP, 30 extra
horsepower to the GT’s 296 HP. Both produce the same peak torque figure
of 450 Nm from 2,000 to 5,000 rpm. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder
engine in the hybrid Grecale features both a classic turbocharger and an
electric compressor, as well as a belt-starter generator and a 48-volt battery.
According to Maserati, the 296 hp 2.0L GT
hits 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and 200 km/h in 23.7 seconds, while
the the 325 hp Modena, does the same in a slightly quicker 5.3 seconds and 21.9
seconds respectively. Maserati says both models are capable of hitting a top
speed of 240 km/h. As for fuel economy on the combined European
cycle, it’s between 8.7 and 9.3 l/100km
(25.3 – 27.0 mpg US).
The Trofeo will be the top-tier performance-oriented
Grecale variant, with 0-100 km/h dispatched in 3.8 seconds, 200 km/h in 13.8 seconds, and a top speed of 285 km/h. The engine, a
twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 with 523 HP and 620 Nm of peak
torque between 3000 – 5500 rpm, is said to be heavily inspired by Formula One
and is a development of the Nettuno engine found in the MC20. Maserati says it
returns a combined fuel consumption of 11.2 l/100km (21 mpg US). The key
differences include a wet-sump, as opposed to the MC20’s dry-sump, and cylinder
deactivation, allowing the right bank of the V6 to be shut down completely. It
retains the Maserati Twin Combustion (MTC) technology that made its debut on
the Nettuno. Both the Modena and Trofeo get a 34 mm wider rear track, while the
latter gets more aggressive bodywork, with the grille shifted forward and a
split exhaust system.
Stopping the Trofeo is a set of six-piston
Brembo calipers up front, with four-piston units at the rear. A separate
“Corsa” drive mode is available with the Trofeo, sharing up the throttle
response and the transmission shift speeds. The traction control has also been
tuned to allow more slip, in addition to launch control. Air suspension is
standard on the top-spec Trofeo and optional on the rest of the model range.
The air-sprung versions come with adjustable height, with six preset modes,
including a 30mm lift in off-road mode, and a 30mm drop in parking mode to aid
entry and exit.
Although it would be easy to write off the
design of the Grecale as a Levante left in the dryer for longer than it should
have, the overarching theme of the brand is applied throughout, making it
instantly identifiable from the front end. The main feature is the grille, with
Maserati claiming that they sought to make it imposing, without being excessive
(are you listening, BMW?). However, viewed in profile, the new Italian SUV
becomes somewhat less distinctive. The soft lines become less distinctive, but
things are redeemed by the traditional Maserati gills and the trident on the
C-pillar.
Moving to the rear, the Grecale features
slimmer “boomerang” taillights inspired by the Giugiaro 3200 GT. The sloping
rear window is described as giving a “coupe effect” to the cabin, but in
reality, the result is clean and measured, without crossing the streams of
different body styles as evidenced by some rivals.
The cabin of the Grecale looks to be a key
area of progress for Maserati. Prior models, including the Levante, have fallen
short when it comes to interior design, with the traditional layout looking
more old-hat in the face of rival offerings from Audi and Mercedes. The
Levante, on the other hand, adopts a dual center-split screen, similar in
concept to what was pioneered with the Range Rover Velar. The upper central
screen is a 12.3-inch panel, complemented by an 8.8-inch unit below it,
referred to as the “comfort panel.”
The downside is that the new design
sacrifices many physical buttons, prompting the driver to engage with
touchscreen inputs for essential functions. Maserati claim there are four
screens inside, but aside from the two central screens and the gauge cluster,
you might be left wondering where number four is. That is until you realize,
one of those is counted as the digital clock, also known as the digital
smartwatch, which sits atop the dash. It’s a first for Maserati and can be used
as a compass or G-force meter. The Grecale comes with two new Sonus Faber sound
systems, the highest-end option consisting of 21 speakers and 3D sound with an
output of up to 1,200 W. There’s wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto,
running via Maserati’s Intelligent Assistant multimedia system. MIA itself is
based around Andriod Auto and is said to offer a user experience similar to
using that of a tablet.
An all-electric Grecale Folgore (Lightning
in Italian) is being readied for production next year. The first all-electric
Maserati will feature 400V tech — which gives the car a handicap to competitors
that have been confirmed to use the faster-charging 800V architecture such as
the next Macan. Unlike other models from Stellantis the Grecale will not ride
on a dedicated SLTA EV platform, and instead uses modified ICE-based
underpinnings. Although specific outputs
haven’t been revealed just yet, the BEV Grecale will be fitted with a 105 kWh
battery and will offer as much as 800 Nm of torque. The Grecale
Folgore will also feature a unique color palette for the rest of the line-up,
created based on the Northern Lights.
The Grecale GT, Moderna, and Trofeo will
be offered as an MY22 model in Europe, with US Delivery dates and pricing
expected to be announced shortly.