After months of getting photographed by the car paparazzi, wraps are finally off the Maserati Grecale. Four versions have been revealed: three ICE-powered ones (two are MHEVs among those) and one pure electric model christened the Maserati Grecale Folgore. The Modena-based brand recently announced that all-electric models would wear the Folgore moniker, which means ‘lightning’ in Italian.
Design
The Grecale is a luxury midsize SUV like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and the Porsche Macan. Thanks to the iconic Maserati Trident, trapezoidal C-pillar, and the MC20-like LED headlamps, it is instantly recognizable as a Maserati.
The Maserati Grecale’s LED headlamps are reminiscent of ones on the MC20 supercar. Images: Maserati
Special touches in the electric version
While the ICE-powered Grecale sports a convex upper grille with vertical slats in the center, the Grecale Folgore makes itself distinct with the new grille design, which features curved vertical slats.
The front bumper design is unique as well. While it features a lower air dam and two air inlets on the sides as other versions, a distinct gloss black surround sets the EV apart. The Maserati Grecale Folgore is also equipped with 20-inch aero wheels. At the rear, the Grecale gets boomerang-shaped taillamps which draw inspiration from the Giugiaro 3200 GT. The Trident appears again at the rear between the C-pillar and the edges of the windscreen.
Maserati has a new color for the Grecale EV called Rame Folgore. The copper-shade paint was developed using iridescent pigments to make the EV distinguish itself from the petrol variants.
Interior & Features
Screens for the infotainment and the climate control are housed in a single curved panel. The digital clock above the screens is a neat touch. Images: Maserati
Maserati hasn’t showcased the interior of the Grecale Electric, but it’s likely to be identical to the ICE-powered versions. The quality of materials used appears exquisite, and there’s premium stitching all around, including the seats and the dashboard. The flat-bottomed steering looks beautiful; it houses two rotary dials and capacitive touch buttons for other functions. The left dial can switch ignition on/off, while the right dial toggles between drive modes.
Screens
There are four screens on the inside; a massive digital cockpit is positioned behind the steering, and there are twin central screens measuring 12.3-inches and 8.8-inches housed into a single panel. The fourth screen is the tiny digital clock. The larger screen functions as the infotainment, while the lower screen can control the lighting, seat heating/ventilation, ride-height control, and climate control among other functions. There’s also Bluetooth, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay on offer as part of the Maserati Intelligent Assistant (MIA).
Sound system
The sleek chrome embellished gear selector buttons are a unique touch. Music lovers are in for a treat because the Maserati Grecale comes with a Sonus sound system with 21 speakers, which deliver 1200 W of output.
The Maserati Grecale gets a Sonus sound system with 21 speakers, which deliver 1200 W of output. Expect the same to cascade into the Folgore version. Image: Maserati
Maserati Grecale specifications
Previously, there were speculations of the electric Grecale biding its time to adopt one of Stellantis’ STLA range of platforms. However, it is now evident that it will manage with the existing Giorgio architecture.
Dimensions
The base Maserati Grecale GT measures 192 inches long (4864 mm), 76.6 inches wide (1948 mm), and 65.7 inches tall (1670 mm). It has 114.2-inch wheelbase (2901 mm) and a 535-liter (18.9-cubic feet) boot. While these are the dimensions of the base petrol MHEV version, we expect the EV to measure more or less the same. The compact exterior dimensions compared to the Levante would make it a more suitable choice in European cities.
Maserati Grecale Folgore powertrain
Only limited details about the Maserati Grecale Folgore powertrain are out. The torque output of is rated at 590 lb-ft (800 Nm), however there’s no word on how many electric motors will power the EV. It’s possible that the SUV will come with a dual-motor AWD set-up to bolster its performance SUV identity, while preserving its range and price positioning. The brand has confirmed a 105 kWh battery that would use the 400-volt technology. A higher 800 volt system would have allowed faster charging, but we must remember that Grecale’s architecture is a tweaked version of the existing Giorgio platform, and there are limitations.
Petrol mild-hybrid powertrains
The ICE-powered GT and Modena versions use a 2-liter turbo-petrol engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that comprises a Belt Starter Generator (BSG), an electric supercharger called ‘eBooster,’ an additional battery, and a DC/DC convertor. The BSG functions as an alternator that recuperates energy during braking/deceleration and charges the additional battery. The charge saved in the auxiliary battery powers the eBooster. The system operates such that the eBooster is always available via the secondary battery or the BSG.
The BSG and eBooster help balance fuel usage and performance when driving normally. During heavy-footed or spirited driving, they provide an extra boost when the engine maxes out (reaches its peak rpm). This engine produces 300 hp in the GT variant and 330 hp on the Modena. 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) torque output is identical for both variants. An 8-speed automatic transmission sends drive to the wheels.
The Rami Folgore copper-shade paint was developed using iridescent pigments, exclusively for the Grecale Folgore. Image: Maserati
Maserati Grecale Folgore release date
Maserati’s official communication states that the gas-powered Grecale will go on sale in the second half of 2022. Maserati will launch the EV one year after the petrol models in 2023. Made in Cassino, Italy, the Grecale should be sold in the U.S. a few months after Europe. It will compete with the Porsche Macan, which starts at around USD 55,000. Next year, the electric Maserati Grecale should compete with the Porsche Macan EV, Mercedes EQE SUV, and the Audi Q6 e-tron. The company has put more than 250 development models on test in the U.S., Japan, the UAE, China, Finland, and Italy, to ensure the vehicles delivered to customers are reliable.
Maserati electrification strategy
Maserati will launch a bevy of electric cars in the next few years as part of its Folgore full-electric strategy with the long-term goal of becoming an EV-only brand. The company plans to offer all its models in a pure electric variant by 2025. By 2030, it will stop selling all the ICE models and have only EVs in its vehicle line-up.
The Maserati electric vehicle range will include six models by 2025. Image Source: Stellantis
Maserati will begin its EV offensive with not one but three unveils in 2023: GranTurismo Folgore, Grecale Folgore, and GranCabrio Folgore. By 2025, the MC20 EV, Quattroporte Folgore, and Levante Folgore will join the Maserati EV range.
Maserati is opting for cost rationalization, given that the Giorgio platform cost USD 1 billion in development. For Maserati, the electric versions of the GranTurismo, GranCabrio and the Grecale will spearhead its zero-emissions journey. These will be the first Maserati electric car models based on the converted platform, whereas the cars to follow are likely to switch to the STLA Large architecture, a bespoke platform developed for upper-class electric vehicles from Stellantis.
Featured image: Maserati
Keyword: Maserati Grecale Folgore EV: Everything we know