THE NEW MASERATI GRECALE

AS LONG-TIME TEST DRIVERS, THE OHLALA TEAM ARE ALWAYS HAPPY TO GET BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A DAILY LIFESTYLE LUXURY VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THAT VEHICLE IS A MASERATI.

Who wouldn’t want to spend the day in a Maserati? This month, OHLALA got to do exactly that thanks to the great team at Maserati Bahrain, who handed us the ‘keys’ to the 2023 Grecale. Needless to say, we were super excited to get our hands on this high-end machine.

Exterior

Named after a North Easterly Mediterranean wind, the Grecale is certainly a breath of fresh air. The moment we laid eyes on the vehicle, we knew we were taking in something rather special.

At the front end of this striking SUV sits a low and imposing grille, complete with brushed chrome inserts and a large Trident emblem. This flawlessly designed feature, along with the perfectly sculpted bonnet and contemporary LED headlights, combine to create an aggressive-looking front end that seems to stare you down, daring you to try and tame it. We appreciated the seamless transition between the front and the sides, where elegant yet sporty curves and lines create a visually pleasing surface. Body-coloured side-skirts and 20-inch alloy wheels further add to the classy nature of the exterior as do the flush-to-the-body door handles. The trapezoidal dimensions of the vehicle are evident at the rear end, where boomerang taillights – inspired by the Giugiaro 3200 – integrate flawlessly with the uniquely crafted lip spoiler. The body-coloured bumpers at both front and rear contribute toward the luxury SUV’s upmarket appearance, while the twin dual exhaust system, sitting under the diffuser, provides a subtle reminder of the Grecale’s on-road intentions.

Interior

The refined yet sporty feel of the exterior is skilfully complemented by the mastery of the interior design. The cabin of the Grecale exudes a sense of sophistication and elegance and is peppered with high-tech flourishes. Only the best materials from Italy have been used throughout, including an open pore wood as one of the many options and premium leather seats. The cabin also features beautiful trimmings such as the burnished inserts on the centre console and door panels. The button on the door rather than conventional door handles facilitates easy exit in the Grecale. The spacious nature of the Grecale provides comfortable seating for up to five occupants, while the cargo area provides 20cu/ft of storage space. This capacity can be greatly increased when the power-folding rear seating is laid flat, accomplished by the simple push of a button in the boot. A flat load floor is located underneath these rear seats, providing yet another storage option.