Maserati Throws Down the Sports Luxury SUV Gauntlet With the Grecale
The sports side of the luxury SUV market just got a new competitor in the Maserati Grecale. This new model aims to beat some of the top performance models in the market and fit into the mix somewhere we don’t usually see. The Grecale shares a platform with the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and comes with several different powertrains. This Maserati will be the first electric model from the brand, breaking the EV barrier for this Italian luxury brand.
“Our Grecale will beat the best performance vehicles from Stuttgart, Germany – you know who I’m talking about.” – Maserati Americas CEO Bill Peffer
Bloomberg
The 2023 Maserati Grecale makes things more interesting
“Our Grecale will beat the best performance vehicles from Stuttgart, Germany – you know who I’m talking about,” said Maserati Americas CEO Bill Peffer at a press preview in Los Angeles this week. Such a bold statement, delivered to us by Bloomberg, sets the tone for the expectations for this new Maserati Grecale luxury SUV. The direct targets for this new SUV are the Porsche Macan and Mercedes-Benz GLE, two of the top German performers.
What is the Maserati Grecale?
The Grecale is a new midsize luxury SUV from Maserati, with a serious focus on the sports side of things. This vehicle offers a smooth, curved shape and an aggressive stance. We expect to see a choice of a V6 engine or a four-cylinder mild-hybrid engine, with a fully-electric model planned for late next year. This will give us one year to get used to the Grecale before offering the EV version.
Some items we should see in this SUV include:
- Five drive modes
- Multiple driver-assist programs
- Android Auto
- Apple CarPlay
- 21-inch wheels
- Panoramic sunroof
Does Maserati make a small SUV?
Currently, Maserati makes a larger SUV than the Grecale, called the Levante. The Levante has been the top-selling model from this brand for several years, but with the size of the Grecale, this new model should take over as the sales leader. While not exactly small, the Maserati Grecale luxury SUV is similar in size to the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Porsche Macan. This new SUV rides on a 114.2-inch wheelbase and is 190.8 inches of overall length.
How much is the Maserati Grecale?
The full pricing structure for the Grecale isn’t available to us yet, but we know the expected price of the GT model, serving as the base version, could be $65,500. Reservations have begun for the Modena “Limited Edition” model, which will cost $77,400. The reservation price is $500, which is relatively affordable considering the impressive SUV you’ll drive once it’s available.
What are the power numbers for this sports luxury SUV?
When the Maserati Grecale launches, it will have three different power levels offered. According to Gear Patrol, the base Grecale GT will use a mild-hybrid four-cylinder engine that makes 296 horsepower. The Modena model has an up-tuned version of this same setup that reaches 325 horsepower. Those opting for the Grecale Trofeo receive the twin-turbocharged V6 engine from the MC20 supercar that gives this SUV 523 horsepower.
With the top engine under the hood, the Maserati Grecale can reach sixty mph in 3.6 seconds and on the way to a top speed of 177 mph. That is enough quickness to best the Porsche Macan S and Mercedes-Benz AMG GLE 53, but not enough to beat the Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT.
What is the Grecale Folgore luxury SUV?
According to Screen Rant, the Maserati Grecale Folgore is the name for the all-electric version of this new SUV. The name is Italian for “lightning,” which makes perfect sense for an electric vehicle. This electric model should use a 400-volt architecture to give the Grecale sporty performance and impressive acceleration. This new model is the first of the EVs from Maserati. It will usher in a new era for the brand that will lead to an all-EV brand by 2030.
Will the bragging pay off?
If nothing else, Peffer’s bold statement brings attention to a luxury brand. Maserati only sold 24,269 models globally, which was a significant increase from the previous year. Only time will tell us if Peffer was right or wrong in his statement. This new addition to the Maserati lineup gives us a luxury SUV focused on the sporty side of things. This is certainly something we can never get enough of in the automotive market.
