MASERATI

The brand's compact-sized SUV continues to be tested in Lapland

At the end of 2020, a great presentation took place that marked the beginning of a new era within Maserati, as it not only served to present the long-awaited Maserati MC20, a supercar with a V6 engine that will soon receive an electric version (the electrification of fact will play a key role in the future of the Italian brand), but also served to advance another very interesting and expected novelty that will have the mission to improve the company's sales: a compact SUV called Maserati Grecale.

We are talking about a vehicle that on that occasion already anticipated its profile, to later show itself in a series of images while strolling around the Maserati plant in Viale Ciro Menotti, in Modena. However, only now have the photographers on duty had the opportunity to capture on the public road what aspires to be one of the most important models of the Italian brand, but with the corresponding camouflage that we have already seen during Carlos Tavares' visit to the company's factory. Now he can be seen on the street again, also in camouflage, but with a different background. A place radically opposite to what many customers will drive: the snow.

In Lapland, the testing phases in icy climates are ending, as temperatures there reach down to -30 degrees centigrade. This allows testing starting and handling in extreme temperatures and setting up electronic controls on mixed asphalt surfaces, in addition to climate control. In addition, all-wheel drive, understeer and oversteer of the vehicle are adjusted (corrected with the 4x4 and the aids) and the different driving modes, which vary the response of the mechanics depending on which one is activated. All this without forgetting the importance of tires.

The trident brand itself has confirmed the expansion of its SUV family with a smaller sibling for the Levante. Remembering that Maserati debuted in this fashion around 2016, with a product that slightly improved its sales along with the Ghibli. This same strategy will be repeated from next year with the Grecale, a crossover of smaller dimensions than those of the Levante whose architecture will be, except for a last minute surprise, the Giorgio platform of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

The name chosen by Maserati was borrowed from the strong northeasterly winds around the Mediterranean Sea. The fact that the Grecale sits below the Levante means that someone within the brand thought that the best way to increase profits would be with a more affordable SUV that doesn't lose the trident essence and whose lines are anticipated with the images we refer to. . It features a tapered front, rounded headlights and a sloping roofline behind the B-pillars that culminates in a spoiler. The taillights extend horizontally and the four exhaust outlets could not be missing.

In addition, the Maserati Grecale Trofeo will add a sporty plus, with larger tires, wheels and brakes. The best proof of this we have with the recent images shown by the photographers on duty, coming from icy landscapes somewhere in Sweden. There, a camouflaged example was discovered that features more generous front air intakes, wheels that increase in size and perforated brake discs accompanied by red-painted calipers. At the rear, there are dual rectangular-shaped exhaust outlets.

It is clear that Maserati will not stop with the launch of the MC20 and the arrival of the Grecale, as the new generation of the Maserati GranTurismo and GranCabrio is on its way and with important surprises, as both will be offered with electric powertrains. The brand's electrification strategy has already started and the first manifestation was the Maserati Ghibli Hybrid presented last year, as well as the Maserati Levante Hybrid also shown in 2021. So it's no surprise that the new SUV also includes some electrified version.

Alongside these hypothetical hybrid versions will be conventional ones based on turbocharged gasoline engines. A 4-cylinder engine with about 250 hp of power can be placed at an entry level, while the top of the line will come through the famous V6 Nettuno engine of the Maserati MC20. Thanks to its 3.0 liters of displacement, Maserati will be able to extract around 500 hp from the Trofeo, so that it can face the most sporty SUVs in its category, rivals such as the BMW X3 M, Porsche Macan Turbo and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63.

Production of the Maserati Grecale will take place at the Cassino plant in Italy, where the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia are also manufactured. Its presentation was scheduled for the 16th of November, but the semiconductor crisis made the Italian brand change plans and now change its debut to the European spring of 2022. Until then, it will continue with an intense test program that is already underway. close to reaching its end. We will be on the lookout for future news of a model that is destined to compete with proposals such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC and the BMW X3, albeit with an extra point of luxury and sportiness, and also to be one of the most important models for the company's future. of the trident.

“The Trident is synonymous with innovation, passion and unique style. Driven by these values, Maserati continues to work hard despite the component supply problems that affect the entire automotive industry, and is determined to ensure the continuity of its business. Maserati is a brand dedicated to growth and that will never change.”

Autonews