Leaked photos of Maserati’s new performance SUV reveals design similar to Ford Puma and Tesla Model X
- V6 petrol and electric versions due
- All electric Maseratis to get Folgore badging
- Set to be revealed later this year
Leaked photographs of the new Maserati Grecale SUV have surfaced online ahead of the car’s expected unveiling later this year. These photos are the clearest look we’ve had of the new performance SUV so far and reveal a front-end design reminiscent of the smaller and cheaper Ford Puma.
Sitting below the Levante in the Italian brand’s lineup, Maserati is set to offer the Grecale with both a V6 petrol engine and a fully electrified powertrain. When it arrives in showrooms, it will be a rival to premium SUVs such as the Jaguar F-Pace, Mercedes GLC and Porsche Macan.
Originally posted on Instagram, the leaked images show a front end design which adopts round, high-mounted headlights. The Grecale also gets Maserati’s signature oval grille; as seen in other models in the brand’s lineup such as the Quattroporte luxury saloon.
Turning round to the rear of the Grecale, more comparisons with other cars can be drawn – this time, with the Tesla Model X. Just like the Tesla, the Maserati has a relatively simple rear end design with a chrome strip running along the bootlid and into a pair of slim, triangular tail lights. Being a performance SUV, the Grecale gets an aggressive rear diffuser, which is flanked by quad exhaust pipes; electric models will get a different design without any exhausts.
The electric version of the Maserati Grecale will be named ‘Folgore’, which means ‘lightning’ in Italian. No specifications are available yet but we’re told the car will have the same charging tech as the Porsche Taycan and will be able to accept fast-charging at up to 300kW. That should mean an 80% top-up takes around 20 minutes, or even less if you can find a powerful enough charger.
A powerful V6 petrol engine will also be offered. The 3.0-litre twin-turbo engine will most likely be taken from the MC20 that was launched in September 2020. In the MC20, the engine produces 621bhp; that would make the Grecale one of the most powerful SUVs on sale if it comes to market unchanged. The Grecale will be built on the same production line as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, and the two cars will share some parts.
Maserati will also offer electrified options between the V6 and Folgore models. We’d expect the new mild-hybrid engine from the Maserati Ghibli to be fitted, while a plug-in hybrid powertrain can’t be ruled out either.
It’s thought Maserati will look to introduce electric versions of nearly every car it sells by 2024, all with the Folgore badging. Replacements for the Maserati Gran Turismo and GranCabrio will be the first models to feature fully electric options. The electric Maserati Grecale Folgore will rival the BMW iX3, Jaguar I-Pace and the upcoming Porsche Macan EV.
Keyword: New Maserati Grecale SUV leaked online