MASERATI Australia plans to introduce a “true entry mannequin” to its vary – the newly unveiled Grecale premium medium SUV, which is able to launch early subsequent yr in mild-hybrid, turbo-V6 and battery electrical guises to compete with the Porsche Macan, in addition to up-spec variants of the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC.
Though the Modenese marque had excessive hopes that its Ghibli would appeal to many new patrons to the model, the massive sedan has been overshadowed by the Levante massive SUV that rapidly grew to become Maserati’s top-selling mannequin Down Underneath following its 2016 launch.
It naturally follows that Maserati would introduce a smaller SUV to attract in new prospects to kind half of what’s described as “the Trident model’s fullest (vary) ever”.
Developed on the model’s Innovation Lab in Modena, the Grecale will probably be supplied with a variety of engines; mild-hybrid, standard inner combustion and, in a yr’s time, the Grecale will change into Maserati’s first full-electric SUV.
The launch line-up contains three variants. The GT is powered by a twin-turbo 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine (with a belt-integrated starter-generator, a 48-volt battery, an e-Booster and a DC/DC converter) with an eight-speed computerized transmission that drives all 4 wheels.
Its mild-hybrid drivetrain produces peak outputs of 221kW/450Nm and is claimed to propel the entry-level Grecale to 100km/h from a standstill in 5.6 seconds on the best way to a prime pace of 240km/h.
The center-of-the-range Modena additionally has a twin-turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder mild- hybrid engine and produces 450Nm, however develops an additional 25kW and has a mechanical limited-slip diff, which mix to assist the variant shave off 0.3 seconds from the 0-100km/h time.
Serving as range-topper till the electrical model emerges, the Trofeo will probably be powered by a detuned model of the twin-turbo 3.0-litre “Nettuno” V6 engine fitted to the MC20 sportscar, which was launched in Australia late final yr.
With peak outputs of 390kW and 620Nm, Maserati’s foil to M-, AMG- and RS-badged flagship medium SUVs from BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi, is claimed to be able to dispatching 0-100km/h in 3.8 seconds and go on to a heady prime pace of 285km/h.
The Trofeo runs on lively shock absorbers and air suspension, the latter of which avails 65mm of adjustability, and stopping energy is offered by 360mm perforated and ventilated discs with six-pot callipers on the entrance and 350mm rotors with four-pot callipers on the again.
Maserati has not revealed a lot concerning the upcoming battery-electric Folgore aside from saying it would use 105kW/h battery and 400-volt expertise when it arrives round a yr after the launch line-up, which is able to embrace a particular PrimaSerie Launch Version.
Powered by a pair of electrical motors (one entrance, one rear), the flagship will “be able to delivering as a lot as 800Nm of torque” and will probably be recognisable by its unique Rame Folgore color.
All variants are outfitted with Maserati’s Car Dynamic Management Module (drive-mode selector) that allows drivers to toggle between Consolation, GT, Sport, Corsa (Trofeo solely) and Off-road packages.
The Grecale is 4846mm lengthy (with a 2901mm wheelbase), 1670mm excessive and 2163mm large (together with facet mirrors), with a rear-wheel monitor of 1948mm and, predictably, the corporate claims that its new mannequin presents best-in-class “inside area, driveability, dealing with, acceleration, sound high quality and use of positive supplies equivalent to wooden, carbon-fibre and leather-based”.
Talking of the cabin, the standout options embrace a digital model of the standard Maserati clock face, prolonged voice-control features, a plethora of touch-based switchgear, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen (stated to be the biggest ever fitted in a series-built Maserati), one other 8.8-inch show and a 3rd for the passengers within the rear seats.
The in-car expertise is managed from the Maserati Clever Assistant (MIA) multimedia system (replete with Maserati Join) and a high-end Sonus faber 3D audio system that features 14 audio system (at Premium grade) or 21 audio system (at Excessive Premium grade).
