Maserati Grecale & Grecale Folgore: thermal and electrified SUVs to challenge the Porsche Macan


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The target is clear: the Porsche Macan. It is with its Grecale that Maserati intends to face the small Germanic SUV. To put the odds on its side, the car will be available both in thermal and electrified engines.

Grecale: name given to a strong, cold wind that blows from the northeast in the western and central Mediterranean regions, mainly in winter. It is also the baptismal name of the new SUV signed by the Italian manufacturer Maserati, some six years after the Levante, the brand’s first SUV.

Aesthetically, the Grecale looks a lot like its big brother. It also borrows some features from the new MC20, the supercar with the trident, in particular with a grille positioned very low and the shape of the front headlights.

© Maserati

Finally, the boomerang rear lights are a nod to the Giugiaro 3200 GT. Nevertheless, some will say that the plastic of this Grecale is close to a certain Porsche Macan, or even a Kia Sportage or a Ford Puma, depending.

© Maserati

Although based on the same platform as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, the Grecal is larger: 4.84 m in length, 1.94 m in width and 1.67 m in height. The wheelbase is 2.90 m. Note that depending on the versions offered (GT, Modena and Trofeo), the dimensions relating to length and height differ by a few millimetres.

Both the Modena and the Trofeo differ from the GT with a few specific body elements (bumpers, larger wheel arches, grille). To these are added thermal engines of 330 and 530 hp (hello, the XXL malus).

100% digital universe

But the real revolution nests in the passenger compartment with digital instrumentation on all floors. Proof of this is the famous round watch positioned in the center of the dashboard, an emblematic signature of Maserati. This trades its analog hands for digital. Note that it also plays the role of concierge by integrating voice control.

© Maserati

In addition, there are no less than four screens, all digital. The first is the instrument cluster followed by two screens of 12.3 and 8.8 inches, which overlap on the center console. Does this remind you of anything? Audi was the forerunner in this area, notably with the A7 Sportback. As for the fourth screen, it sits in the rear seats, intended for the air conditioning and heating settings.

© Maserati

Another great revolution, the entire multimedia system and infotainment are managed by the Maserati Intelligent Assistant (MIA) and Maserati Connect. The MIA was designed with TomTom to catch up (the huge) delay in this area against German premiums, in particular. We can’t wait to find out.

We stay in the cabin where the gear lever disappears, replaced by four physical controls placed on the central console. They drive the eight-speed automatic transmission. Finally, the trunk volume varies from 535 l for the GT and Modena versions to 570 l for the Trofeo.

330 hp mild-hybrid or 530 hp V6

When we talk about Maserati, we think of a big engine and its hoarseness. Under the hood of the Grecale, no real surprise. The GT and Modena versions borrow the motorization of the Ghibli, namely a 4-cylinder 2 l turbo petrol engine coupled to a 48 V battery and an alternator-motor. This is called a mild hybrid in English, or mild hybridization. Result, the GT develops 300 hp against 330 hp in Modena. Torque and speed remain the same (450 Nm, 240 km/h). On the other hand, the 0 to 100 km/h is reached in 5.6 s for the GT against 5.3 s for the Modena.

© Maserati

Finally, the Trofeo, an “edgy” version of the Grecale, is equipped with a 3-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 developing 530 hp for a torque of 620 Nm and a maximum speed of 285 km/h. It only takes 3.8 seconds to go from 0 to 100 km/h.

Maserati Grecale Folgore: a lightning-fast electric car

We have to believe that at Maserati, we realized that the ecological penalty (range of €17,490 to €40,000, or even €50,000 from 2023) was going to hurt a lot, especially on the French market. To this “small” tax has been added since January 2022 a pinch of weight penalty (€10/kg) for new vehicles over 1800 kg. For information, the Maserati Grecale GT weighs 1870 kg against 2 t for the Trofeo.

© Maserati

As a result, the Grecale will be available in all-electric from 2023. Soberly named Folgore, which means lightning in French, the Maserati keeps its original line with a few differences. Indeed, the exhaust outlets have disappeared, the front grille has been reworked and the rims are more aerodynamic. Added to this is a cabin made of recycled materials based on nylon obtained by recycling fishing nets.

© Maserati

Maserati is rather discreet on the technical side. We just know that this Grecale Folgore will have two electric motors (800 Nm torque) whose power remains unknown – the GranTurismo Folgore, which will also arrive in 2023, will benefit from three electric motors. The electric Grecale will be compatible with fast charging thanks to its 400 V architecture (charging power 200 kW?) while the GranTurismo Folgore will be in 800 V as on the Porsche Taycan. This difference is explained by the fact that the Grecale Folgore does not use the Stellantis STLA platform, optimized for electrified vehicles.

© Maserati

As for autonomy, we can reasonably think that this electric Maserati should reach, or even exceed, 500 km.

All you have to do is find out the price. For this, we will have to wait until 2023, when the electric Porsche Macan should point the end of its grille.



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