Though not Maserati's first SUV, the Grecale feels much more significant than the Levante. Certainly it can't afford to make an impact as modest in its sector as its larger siblling did - not least because the mid-sized segment is humming - but also because the Grecale is intended to kick off a new era for the venerable manufacturer. Electric-powered models, a new GranTurismo and additional SUVs all follow this car. In other words, the MC20 has provided the halo, now it's time for the body and head to take shape .
As such, big promises are made for the Grecale. 'The Everyday Exceptional' tagline is something you'll hear repeated a lot in the coming months, with Maserati promising "the right balance between sportiness and elegance" for a car which has to compete with the likes of the Porsche Macan. So on the one hand its maker claims best-in-class results for both space and comfort - with a Sonus sound system, rich interior materials and a comprehensive suite of technology - and, on the other, "superior performance" courtesy of a Trofeo model.
The 530hp flagship Grecale Trofeo seems the most sensible place for us to start, because it is much more interesting than the mild-hybrid four-cylinder versions that will account for the bulk of sales - not to mention the electric 'Folgore' due in 2023. Using a wet-sumped version of the Nettuno 3.0 V6 found in the MC20, the Grecale Trofeo is capable of 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds and 177mph. It also gets a 34mm wider rear track, Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers and standard air suspension; a 'Corsa' drive mode unique to the range topping car offers "the most extreme experience and the option of enjoying the true embodiment of the Grecale without any compromises." So, if the BMW X3 M, Jaguar F-Pace SVR or Alfa Stelvio Quadrifoglio aren't for you, the Grecale might just be.
The rest of the range uses the 2.0-litre mild hybrid seen in Ghibli, with 300hp in the entry-level GT or 330hp in the Grecale Modena. With the same 332lb ft in both, there's only a few tenths in their respective 0-62mph times that dip below six seconds. GT and Modena are unsurprisingly quite similar, with a Vehicle Dynamic Control Module offering four drive modes - Comfort, GT, Sport and Off-Road, a ZF eight-speed auto, a new Maserati Intelligent Assistant infotainment system and a Maserati Connect App. The most significant difference from a driving perspective - perhaps even more than the power - is the standard rear limited-slip diff that's standard on the Modena and optional on the GT. Bigger wheels and tyres (20-inch as standard, rather than 19) for the Modena point to a more focused drive over the GT.
Maserati plainly isn't ready to go into detail on the upcoming all-electric version of the Grecale, but the Folgore - apparently the identifier of Maserati BEVs in general - is very much on the firm's radar. Promised for launch a year after the hybrid and petrol models, the manufacturer says it will be '100%' made in Italy and equipped with a 105-kW/h battery using 400V technology. Moreover, it will deliver as much as 590lb ft of torque, 'guaranteeing performance typical of the brand' - just in case you thought that would be an issue.
All Grecales are 4,846mm long, 1,670mm high and 2,163mm wide (including the mirrors), so nobody should go short of space - not least with a 2,901mm wheelbase, too. Maserati reckons the new car can accommodate 99th percentile people in both the front and rear seats; there are "noteworthy levels" of roominess, no less. Maserati has even gone so far as fitting privacy windows that guarantee optimal sound absorption but ensures the engine can still be heard.
As for the rest of the interior, a much more lavish cabin than we've come to expect from Maserati is being promised, combining four screens (the driver's display, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, an 8.8-inch "comfort panel" and a clock) with plush materials. The pictures don't suggest a significant depature from the class norms - and removing physical switchgear from the centre console might not necessarily win the Grecale a host of new fans - but better touchpoints and superior tech is all part and parcel of delivering a competitive SUV, and will be crucial to the model's success.
Of course it'll be all for naught if people don't buy into the way the Grecale looks. As alluded to with the images released a few weeks ago, the Grecale combines a sprinkling of Maserati design hallmarks with one or two cues familiar from other SUVs. The 'low and imposing grille' is said to mirror the MC20, with the rear lights are inspired by the 3200GT. Maserati says the 'stylistic vernacular is pure and athletic, fitting perfectly with the iconic elements of the brand'. Make of that what you will - but prospective buyers will be able to judge for themselves soon enough, as the Grecale is going on sale in the second half of this year. Expect plenty more from a rejuvenated Maserati not long after that.
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