Official launch of the new Maserati Grecale

The new Maserati Grecale finally makes its world debut, becoming the brand's second SUV, positioned under the Levante, of which the Folgore pure electric version is also the Maserati brand's first pure electric vehicle. In addition to the electric version, the new car will also be available with a variety of different powertrain options, including internal combustion and light hybrid power, with competitors targeting the Porsche Macan, Jaguar F-Pace, and BMW X3, among others, and is expected to hit the market in 2022.

Externally, the new Maserati Grecale can be seen as a smaller Levante, inheriting the classic Maserati design, which looks the same from the shark-like front to the straight waterfall grille. According to Maserati, the new car's grille is designed to be atmospheric and not so excessive. But on the side, the new car becomes less unique, with soft lines that seem less distinct, although the traditional Maserati side air intakes and the trident on the C-pillar try to make up for everything.

Turning to the rear, the new car features a slimmer boomerang taillight design inspired by the Giugiaro 3200 GT and a sloping rear window to give the cabin the visual impact of a two-door coupe, but in reality, the rear end is quite neat and does not feature a crossover style with different bodywork as some of its rivals do. In terms of dimensions, the new car measures 4,859 x 1,979 x 1,659 mm in length, width, and height respectively, with a wheelbase of 2,901 mm.

Inside, the new Maserati Grecale will be the main front to overtake the Levante, after earlier models including the Levante underperformed relative to direct competitors such as Audi and Mercedes-Benz in terms of interior design, with the traditional layout looking more old-fashioned. The new car features a dual center split screen, extremely similar to the concept pioneered by the Range Rover Starliner, with a 12.3-inch center screen above and an 8.8-inch comfort adjustment panel below. The new design sacrifices many physical buttons, allowing the driver to use touchscreen inputs for basic functions. In addition, Maserati claims that the interior will offer four screens. In addition to the two central screens and the digital instrument cluster, a fourth screen is located on top of the dashboard and can be seen as a digital clock, also known as a digital smartwatch, a first-of-its-kind Maserati design that can be used as a compass or a G-force meter.

In terms of equipment, the new Maserati Grecale is equipped with two new Sonus Faber audio systems, with the top model offering 21 speakers and an output of up to 1,200W of 3D sound. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity can be run through Maserati's Intelligent Assistant (MIA) multimedia system, which itself is based on Andriod Auto and is said to offer a similar The MIA itself is based on Andriod Auto and is said to offer a user experience similar to that of using a tablet.

The new Maserati Grecale will be available at the end of 2022 in four models: the GT, Modena, Trofeo, and PrimaSerie debut limited editions, all with ZF's 8-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive system as standard. The GT and Modena models feature a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder light-hybrid powertrain with a classic turbocharger and electric compressor, with a belt-start generator and 48-volt battery pack, offering two different high and low power trims, with the Modena model making a bit more power at 330 horsepower, 30 horsepower more than the GT model's 300 horsepower, but with the same peak torque Peak torque is identical, reaching 450 Nm at 2,000-5,000 rpm.

In terms of performance, the 2.0T GT can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 5.6 seconds and from 0-200 km/h in 23.7 seconds; conversely, the 2.0T Modena is a little faster, with corresponding acceleration times of 5.3 seconds and 21.9 seconds respectively. In addition, both models are capable of reaching a top speed of 240 km/h, with a combined fuel consumption between 8.7 and 9.3 l/100 km.

In addition, the Trofeo performance version is powered by a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, inspired by Formula 1 cars and an improved version of the Nettuno engine in the MC20 (retaining the MTC Maserati dual-combustion technology first introduced in the Nettuno, with key differences including a wet sump instead of the MC20's dry sump, and a cylinder break function that The Trofeo can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and from 0-200 km/h in 13.8 seconds, with a top speed of 285 km/h and a combined fuel consumption of 11.2 l/100 km. 11.2 l/100 km.

The Folgore pure electric version (Lightning in Italian), which will hit the market in 2023, is Maserati's first pure electric car and will feature 400V charging technology, challenging competitors already confirmed to use the faster charging 800V architecture, such as the next generation Macan. Unlike the rest of the Stellantis, the Folgore electric version will not be based on the dedicated SLTA EV platform but will use a modified internal combustion engine architecture. While final detailed output specifications have not yet been released, the Folgore EV will be equipped with a 105kWh battery pack and provide up to 800 Nm of peak torque. Finally, the Folgore Electric Edition will also be available in the unique Northern Lights body paint.

As for the chassis, the new Maserati Grecale comes standard with the MC20 upgraded VDCM (Vehicle Dynamics Control Module), which allows predictive control of the vehicle's dynamic driving (vertical, longitudinal, and lateral) and works in conjunction with different driving modes to provide a more tailored driving experience. In addition, the Trofeo comes with air suspension as standard and optional on other models, where the air springs offer adjustable height with six pre-set modes, including 30 mm lift in off-road mode and 30 mm lowering in parking mode to help get in and out of parking lots.

Both the Modena and Trofeo models have a 34 mm wider rear wheelbase, while the latter has an aggressive body design with a grille moved forward and a split exhaust system; in terms of the braking system, the Trofeo is equipped with a six-piston front and four-piston rear Brembo calipers; the Trofeo also offers an exclusive Corsa drive mode that shares throttle response and transmission shift speed. In addition to ejection start control, traction control has been adjusted to allow for greater slip rates.