The lights and the three-dimensional grille are clearly inspired by the MC20, the rest of the form of the new Maserati Grecale clearly has to adapt to the function. An SUV can’t be as dynamic as a sports car – otherwise it wouldn’t be an SUV.
Modular system: The Maserati Grecala shares the platform with the Alfa Stelvio, but it comes along very independently.
The Grecale is a brother of the Stelvio
So the dilemma for chief designer Klaus Busse is clear: the Grecale has to be practical and yet sleek. And that’s a success. Mockers say: Ford Puma at the front, a bit of Jaguar at the rear – we say: shame on you! For the fact that the Grecale is based on Stellantis’ Giorgio platform (which the Alfa Stelvio is also based on), its look is very distinct.
At the rear, the light graphics should be based on the iconic 3200 GT recall. If it hadn’t been in the press release, we wouldn’t have thought of it. Carbon diffuser and four-pipe system spread further sporting spirit, at the front the hood goes down flat and sporty for an SUV. Underneath this is the highlight of the Grecale – and that detail that makes it a Trofeo in the first place: the three-liter V6 with twin turbocharging and innovative pre-chamber ignition from Formula 1.
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390 kW (530 hp) at 6500 rpm
All-wheel drive, eight-speed automatic
The Trofeo does not have dry sump lubrication
Anyone who has followed the reports on the MC20 will know by now at the latest: Nettuno-V6 – and they are wrong. Although the engine in the Grecale uses many of the details of the high-end power unit – bore and stroke are identical – it does not have motorsport dry sump lubrication, but it does have cylinder deactivation, with which the right bank can be shut down in the partial load range. This required a different oil circuit – but the basic ingredients of the Nettuno are of course there.
Pulse accelerator: The biturbo V6 in the Trofeo Bug mobilizes 580 hp and ensures very decent driving performance.
It goes from 0 to 100 km/h in under four seconds
And from these, Maserati bakes a tasty 530 hp block together, which is supposed to snap the Trofeo to 100 in 3.8 seconds and ensure up to 285 km/h. On the chassis side, the Trofeo uses variable air suspension with roll stabilization as standard. This is optional in the small GT (300 hp, R4 mild hybrid) and Modena (330 hp, R4 mild hybrid) models. Depending on the driving mode, the ground clearance can be varied by up to ten centimeters – plus 60 millimeters from the normal state in off-road mode, minus 40 millimeters in the Corsa setting.
That fits: state-of-the-art interior with three screens. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the processing.
The workmanship is surprisingly solid
Inside, the Trofeo seduces us with its simple elegance and amazingly solid workmanship. It is operated via large touch surfaces, the central display measures 12.3 inches diagonally, with a second 8.8-inch screen underneath. In addition to touch, voice control is a big factor – and this is where the now digital central clock comes into play, which becomes a personal assistant at the push of a button. Maserati had not yet communicated prices at the time of going to press.
