The 2023 Maserati Grecale has been revealed, ahead of its Australian launch expected in December 2022 or January 2023.
Maserati’s second all-new model in five years (following the MC20 supercar), the new Grecale is the company’s entrant into the mid-size SUV segment – and the car tasked with reviving its sales fortunes.
Named after a north-easterly Mediterranean wind – continuing a wind-based naming trend commenced with the 1963 Mistral coupe – the Grecale will become one of the brand’s first vehicles to offer an electric option, due next year and known as the ‘Folgore’.
At launch, buyers can choose from a 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol engine and 48-volt mild-hybrid system in two states of tune (221kW or 243kW), or a hotter Trofeo model with a detuned 390kW/620Nm version of the MC20 supercar’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo ‘Nettuno’ V6.
All are paired to eight-speed automatic transmissions and rear-biased all-wheel drive, with air suspension optional across the range, or standard on the range-topping model.
Zero to 100km/h times fall as low as 3.8 seconds with launch control, with the Trofeo variant featuring an electronic limited-slip rear differential, 21-inch wheels and Corsa mode.
Next year’s electric Folgore variant is expected to offer two electric motors developing 800Nm and up to 500kW, mated with a 105kWh battery and 400-volt electrical system.
Measuring 4846mm long and 1948mm wide (in base GT trim), the Grecale is larger than every vehicle it competes with – and only 150mm shorter than the larger Levante – and rides on a modified version of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio’s Giorgio platform.
On the outside, the Grecale evolves the MC20 supercar’s new design language, mixing LED lights and slippery side surfacing with front arch inlets, trident badging and other traditional Maserati styling cues.
Inside, a 12-inch digital instrument cluster sits in front of the driver, joined by 12.3-inch and 8.8-inch screens in the centre of the cabin for infotainment and climate control functions, and an unconventional push-button shifter design.
The colour and texture of the leather upholstery changes between GT, Modena and Trofeo variants, with flagship variants offering tri-zone climate control, a head-up display, and wireless phone charging.
For everything there is to know about the new 2023 Maserati Grecale, scroll through the subheadings below.
2023 Maserati Grecale exterior styling
The Grecale continues the design language debuted on the MC20 supercar, with contemporary LED headlights and tail-lights, smooth surfacing, flush door handles for optimal aerodynamics, and broad haunches.
However, Maserati’s traditional design cues remain, from a trident logo on the rearmost pillar and the ‘boomerang’ tail-light signatures, to the three inlets and badging behind the front wheel.
2023 Maserati Grecale interior and technology
Gone is the analogue instrument binnacle and sub-10-inch touchscreens of past Maseratis; all new Grecales are fitted as standard with a 12.3-inch instrument display in front of the driver, a 12.3-inch central touchscreen, and an 8.8-inch screen below it for climate control functions.
Running Maserati’s latest ‘Maserati Intelligent Assistant’ (MIA) software, the 12.3-inch screen is based on Google’s Android Automotive operating system (not to be confused with Android Auto), and offers a ‘Hey Maserati’ voice assistant, multiple user profiles, and both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
The 8.8-inch touchscreen up front and a second screen in the rear control the tri-zone climate control system, while Maserati’s traditional analogue clock has gone digital for the Grecale – and switches to show G-force in the Trofeo’s Corsa mode.
Other tech highlights include a head-up display, ambient interior lighting, Amazon Alexa support, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and an available 21-speaker, 1000-watt premium sound system from Italian company Sonus Faber.
All models feature leather upholstery – upgraded to perforated trim in the flagship Trofeo – joining carbon-fibre, aluminium or wood-look inserts. Aluminium shift paddles sit behind the wheel, fixed to the steering column.
There’s 535 litres of boot space behind the second row in GT and Modena variants – increasing to 570 litres in the Trofeo, likely due to its lack of a hybrid battery – with an additional cargo box under the rear seats and boot flor, which can be folded down.
No details of active safety systems have been announced, beyond confirmation unspecified ‘ADAS’ (advanced driver assistance systems) will feature.
2023 Maserati Grecale engines
At launch, the Maserati Grecale will offer a choice of two core powertrains, spread across three model grades – all equipped with eight-speed automatic transmissions and standard all-wheel drive.
Most variants (more on the model range shortly) will be powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, aided by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system with an electric compressor that fills the gap as the turbocharger spools up, boosting performance at low speeds.
Outputs are rated at 221kW and 450Nm in the entry-level Grecale GT, increasing to 243kW and 450Nm in the Modena – matching the Levante Hybrid, which uses a version of the same powertrain.
Maserati claims 0-100km/h times of 5.6 (GT) and 5.3 seconds (Modena) respectively, towards shared top speeds of 240km/h. Fuel consumption (according to lenient WLTC testing) is rated as low as 8.7 litres per 100 kilometres.
Headlining the range for enthusiasts will be the Grecale Trofeo, powered by a detuned version of the MC20 supercar’s 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged ‘Nettuno’ petrol V6, developing 390kW and 620Nm – second in its class only to the 405kW/700Nm Jaguar F-Pace SVR.
Maserati quotes a 0-100km/h time of 3.8 seconds, a 0-200km/h time of 13.8 seconds, and a top speed of 285km/h. Claimed fuel consumption takes a hit, rising to 11.2 litres per 100 kilometres (WLTC).
While the Grecale Trofeo’s engine shares the MC20’s Formula One-derived pre-chamber combustion technology – which ignites the fuel in a separate chamber before entering the main cylinder, improving performance and fuel efficiency – it adds cylinder deactivation, and a wet (rather than dry) sump oil system.
Due in 2023 will be the electric Folgore, which Maserati says will be powered by electric motors and a 105kWh battery developing 800Nm, with a 400-volt electrical system – as first reported by Drive last month.
While not stated in the official materials, information uncovered by Drive suggests two electric motors will be fitted (one on each axle), developing up to 500kW combined.
2023 Maserati Grecale size and chassis
Measuring 4846mm long, 1948mm wide and 1670mm high in GT trim, with a 2901mm wheelbase, the Grecale is larger than nearly every other vehicle in its segment – and only 158mm shorter in overall length, and 33mm narrower than the larger Levante.
While not confirmed explicitly by Maserati, it’s widely believed the Grecale rides on a modified version of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio’s rear-drive Giorgio architecture – albeit with a longer wheelbase (vs the Alfa’s 2818mm), wider wheel track widths, increased chassis stiffening, and the availability of air suspension.
The adaptive air suspension system – which can adjust by 65mm, lowering 35mm when parking, or raising 30mm in Off-Road mode – is standard in the Trofeo, or optional in the other variant. Fixed coil spring suspension is standard in the base GT, with adaptive dampers optional on this variant, or standard in the Modena.
Entry-level GT models feature 19-inch wheels (with 235/55 tyres front and rear), with Modena grades upgrading to 20-inch wheels with 255/45 front and 295/40 tyres – aided by a 34mm-wider rear wheel track.
Brakes measure 350mm up front and 330mm at the rear on these variants, with four-piston Brembo front and single-piston Continental rear calipers.
Meanwhile, the Trofeo scores 360mm front and 350mm rear discs with perforation, clamped by six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers. 21-inch wheels with 255mm front and 295mm tear tyres are standard.
All models are equipped with a new Vehicle Dynamic Control Module system, which combines all vehicle systems in all directions (acceleration/braking, steering and lift/compression) to “reduce [stability and traction control” intervention times and increase performance, driving pleasure and vehicle safety.”
Four drive modes are standard across the range: Comfort, GT, Sport (which lowers the car by 15mm when the air suspension is optioned) and Off-Road. The Trofeo gains Corsa (race) mode, which unlocks launch control.
2023 Maserati Grecale model range
Mirroring the broader Maserati sedan and SUV range for Model Year 2022, three variants of the new Grecale will be available globally: GT, Modena and Trofeo.
The entry point to the Maserati range, base GT variants offered overseas will feature leather-look dashboard inserts, black, grey or brown leather trim, 19-inch wheels and brushed chrome exteiror trim, plus the less powerful of the two 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder tunes.
Opting for the Modena adds unique leather embroidery and stitching, dark ash or open-pore interior inserts, a choice of black, dark red or white leather, 20-inch wheels, and gloss black exterior trim, plus an additional 22kW from the mild-hybrid 2.0-litre four-cylinder.
The flagship Trofeo serves as Maserati’s equivalent to BMW M, Mercedes-AMG and Audi Sport (RS), and adds a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, carbon-fibre accents, perforated leather upholstery, coloured contrast stitching, 21-inch wheels, and unique sports exhaust outlets.
The Folgore electric model will offer its own assortment of unique design touches when it launches in 2023, including unique badging, more aerodynamic wheels, and revised bumpers.
When will the 2023 Maserati Grecale come to Australia?
First Australian deliveries of the 2023 Maserati Grecale are currently expected to commence late in the fourth quarter of 2022, or early in the first quarter of 2023 – correlating to December or January.
Those dates apply to the petrol-powered range; a Maserati Australia spokesperson told Drive it’s “too early” to comment on timing for the Grecale Folgore EV, if it is sold here.
Keyword: 2023 Maserati Grecale revealed, confirmed for Australia