Maserati’s next crossover expands the brand’s lineup and is just what people want.
- The Grecale expands Maserati’s portfolio while targeting arguably the industry’s most demanded body style.
- The 523-hp Grecale Trofeo uses a variant of the 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 found in the Maserati MC20 supercar.
- The Grecale will offer a battery-electric variant shortly after the launch of internal-combustion models.
Even with rising fuel prices and constraints on production, crossovers are still it, opening doors for automakers eager to expand their lineups with two- and three-row offerings. Maserati already has the Levante, but there’s always room for another crossover. Meet the Maserati Grecale.
Powering the base model Grecale is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that’s joined by a 48-volt mild hybrid system. While not as exciting as the company’s MC20 supercar, Maserati reports this combination is good for 296 hp in base GT trim and 325 hp in the mid-tier Modena trim.
The Maserati Grecale Trofeo draws motivation from the turbocharged 3.0-liter V6, churning out 523 hp and 457 lb-ft of torque, with wet-sump oiling. This same engine in the MC20 produces 621 hp, while the Levante Trofeo’s 3.8-liter V8 is rated at 580 hp. Still, 523 hp in the Grecale Trofeo puts this Maserati in the same conversation as other sporty crossovers.
Both powertrains feed an eight-speed automatic transmission. That power travels from the ZF-sourced gearbox to all four wheels by way of an all-wheel-drive system. In Trofeo trim, this helps the Grecale sprint to 60 mph from a standing start in only 3.6 seconds and climb to a 177-mph top speed. That might not be as potent as other performance crossovers, but it’s quicker to 60 than a Ferrari F40.
If you’re wondering if the Grecale will somehow skirt Maserati’s self-imposed electrification timeline, well, it’s not. The Grecale will also introduce Maserati’s first battery-electric crossover, dubbed the Grecale Folgore, rated at 105 kWh.
Maserati hasn’t mentioned how many electric motors will move this Grecale but does say it will have up to 590 lb-ft of torque. The battery-electric Grecale won’t be part of the crossover’s launch but is expected in showrooms about a year after the gasoline Grecale’s launch.
Underneath the Grecale, Maserati stuffed what it calls a quadrilateral suspension in front and a multi-link setup at the rear. Active dampers are standard throughout the lineup, though air suspension is only standard on Trofeo models.
But there’s good news for GT and Modena buyers: Air suspension is available if you’re willing to pay for the option. These active dampers are controlled by the Grecale’s drive modes: Comfort, GT, Sport, Race, and Off-Road. These modes also change throttle response and shift points, but the Race drive mode is only available on Trofeo models.
Like other luxury SUVs, the Grecale features a large 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster that’s flanked by an 8.8-inch comfort control touch screen or 12.3-inch touchscreen media system. The Grecale will be decked out in high-grade leather, and images suggest a relatively reserved interior styling direction, allowing for slight deviations based on trim levels. However, across the lineup are features such as laser-cut speaker grilles that adorn the Sonos Faber sound system. Even the entry-level Grecale cabin looks good.
The biggest question is price, starting at $64,995, including $1495 destination charges, while the Grecale Modena Limited Edition (only available via online reservation for a short time) starts at $77,400.
Of course, that number goes up when you move to the Trofeo trim or add on options, but we’ll get more detailed pricing information when the Grecale goes on sale in the US this fall. Europeans will take delivery sooner, likely by this summer.
Still, the current pricing comes in significantly below Maserati’s larger Levante and slightly above the BMW X3 and Porsche Macan, two primary rivals that are bound to sell in higher numbers.
Keyword: The Maserati Grecale Looks at the Money