The Maserati Grecale is being readied as the sports car maker’s second SUV, and is slated for a global reveal later this year. Now, spy shots of the Porsche Macan rival have surfaced online, which give the best look yet at the upcoming model.
- Grecale to slot in below the Levante in Maserati’s line-up
- To get combustion engine as well as fully electric powertrains
- Similar in size to the Stelvio, it will share most of its underpinnings with the Alfa Romeo
Maserati Grecale: What do we know?
The Grecale is clearly a similar size to the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, with which it will share the bulk of its underpinnings, and despite heavy camouflaging obscuring most of the car's final design, the influence of the larger Levante is evident.
The brand's important second SUV is named Grecale after the "fierce north-east wind of the Mediterranean Sea". The model forms a key part of Maserati's bold revival plan that it launched last year with the reveal of the MC20 supercar.
Destined to play "a key role in the brand's development", the Porsche Macan rival will be built on the same production line as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio in the FCA plant in Cassino, Italy. Maserati is planning an investment of around €800 million (around Rs 7,100 crore) in the plant.
Maserati Grecale: Powertrains
A fully electric version of the Grecale is due to arrive by 2022. However, the combustion-engined models will use Maserati rather than Alfa-sourced engines, likely to include the mild-hybridised 2.0-litre turbo offered in the Ghibli and Levante, and a detuned version of the MC20's new Nettuno V6 for the most potent variant.
Maserati global planning boss Francesco Tonon told our sister publication Autocar UK that the Grecale will be "the most practical in its class, but it will also be luxurious", adding, "It will feature the best-in-class design and features. Of course, it's still a Maserati but it will also offer best-in-class performance and handling."
Maserati’s refreshed line-up
The new SUV was first confirmed back in 2018 by former FCA boss Sergio Marchionne as part of a total overhaul of its product line-up. Also included are the MC20 in three variants: coupé, Spider convertible and fully electric, plus a new GranTurismo and GranCabrio, due in both combustion and electric forms.
By 2023/2024, the brand will also have a new-generation Levante and Quattroporte, both of which will be available with an electric powertrain. In top-spec form, this will use an 800V electrical system and three motors.
Maserati’s India plans
Maserati recently launched the updated Ghibli in India, introducing the mild-hybrid as well as the V8 powered Trofeo versions of the model. The company has also lined-up launches of the Quattroporte Trofeo and the Levante Trofeo. The Levante hybrid, which was recently unveiled, is also on the cards, as is the MC20.
With Maserati set to expand its India footprint, the Grecale too seems like a good candidate for our market.
Also see:
2022 Maserati GranTurismo EV previewed
Future Maserati models to use MC20’s engine tech