COVER Maserati Grecale

Visit autoexpress.co.uk for the latest new cars and drives

“You sense that there’s the character of an entertaining SUV wanting to break free”

Sean Carson

sean _ carson@autovia.co.uk

MASERATI may be going all-electric, having outlined its ‘Folgore’ strategy, but the Grecale mid-size SUV is where the brand’s renaissance really starts.

To make money – and the company will need to prove itself viable under the Stellantis umbrella – you need to compete in this class. After Porsche released its Macan SUV (the new Macan T version is driven on P30), a direct competitor for the Grecale, in 2014, it became the German brand’s best-selling model. It highlights the market’s appetite for this kind of car, which has only grown over the last eight years.

Being based on an updated version of the Giorgio platform already used by the Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUV is a good place to start, while all the powertrains offer some form of electrification across the board.

The Grecale Folgore will become Maserati’s first full EV when it launches in 2023, but for now, there’s a choice of two 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder mild-hybrid options offering 296bhp in the entry-level GT trim and 325bhp in the mid-spec Modena edition. Both models develop 450Nm of torque.

Above these sits a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 version of Maserati’s new Nettuno unit that also powers its MC20 sports car, pumping out 523bhp and 620Nm of torque in the Grecale Trofeo. These powertrain options also dictate standard equipment, and we’re focusing on the more affordable GT here.

Maserati says the MHEV system’s extra torque makes it feel more like a six-cylinder. While this is a stretch – not least due to the droning engine note, which doesn’t project ‘luxury’ – you do notice some assistance giving strong mid-range acceleration around town and on country roads.

Officially, the 0-62mph sprint takes 5.6 seconds, but at higher revs, the 1,870kg SUV doesn’t feel that rapid, so it’s best to cruise in the Grecale. Driving at a more leisurely pace, the eight-speed automatic gearbox’s shifts are slurred nicely.

The car’s steering feels fast and positive enough, and while we could sense some roll in corners, it still feels agile despite its size and weight. However, our test route through the centre of Milan and around the outskirts of the city didn’t let us explore the car’s handling any further than a few left-right bends on a horribly torn surface, so we’ll have to wait until we’ve driven it in the UK for a full judgement. Being shod with winter tyres in 24-degree heat also didn’t help.

The same is true of the ride quality –although our GT model had the optional air suspension (it’s standard on the two higher trims). Initial impressions suggest that this car has a soft set-up offering compliance over gently undulating roads, but riding on 20-inch wheels, the chassis occasionally struggles to deal with sharper bumps, sometimes crashing and thumping.

You get a sense there’s the character of an agile, engaging SUV wanting to break

Essentials

Maserati Grecale GT

Price: Engine: Power/torque: Transmission: £60,000 (est.) 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrol 296bhp/450Nm Eight-speed automatic, four-wheel drive

0-62mph: Top speed: Economy: CO2:

5.6 seconds 149mph 32.5mpg 198g/km ONSALE June

STYLING Every detail has been designed with a purpose, not just for show. Maserati’s trademark three wing vents feature; inside, cool metal trim pieces highlight craftsmanship EQUIPMENT Even base-spec GT trim comes loaded with kit, which you would expect given the Grecale is expected to start from around £60,000 when it goes on sale this summer

Maserati Grecale GT

FIRST DRIVE New SUV will spearhead famous Italian brand’s revival

INTERIOR

Cabin gives good balance of luxury and sportiness, while the design is deliberately minimalist, with few physical controls

“There are lots of lovely materials, including painted wood, stitched leather and metal trim pieces. The craftsmanship seems strong, too”

free, but in terms of ride and powertrain refinement, we’re not sure it fully meets the luxury aspirations the brand is targeting.

Inside, things are better. There are lots of lovely materials, including painted wood on the doors, stitched leather and some nice metal trim pieces. The craftsmanship in the finishing of these areas seems strong too, which serves to highlight the few creaks and squeaks we heard from our early-build car.

According to Maserati, its designers have focused on a minimalist, modern look that promotes functionality, so there are few physical controls on show. Instead, most actions are carried out through the central 12.3-inch touchscreen and a smaller 8.8inch panel that sits below it.

The system’s layout is a bit overwhelming at first, but you get used to it quickly, while the graphics are sharp and the responses quick enough. It comes loaded with features and strong connectivity (including wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto) even in this base-spec GT car.

There’s also a configurable digital dashboard and a new digital clock – the first in Maserati’s history – that is the focal point for voice commands and can display a compass rose or G readings if selected.

Alexa integration features as part of the Maserati Intelligent Assistant system, while other connected services such as fuel-price data and over-the-air software update capability come built in. It’s a massive improvement over Maserati’s old FiatChrysler-based infotainment systems and will be a big positive in its push to steal sales from rivals such as the Macan. But then, with prices for the Grecale set to start from around £60,000 when it goes on sale this summer, you’d expect this.

The Italian car beats its German rival on some practicality points, though. The extra length in the platform’s wheelbase helps to create a good level of legroom in the back seats, while along with decent head and shoulder room, it makes the Grecale the most spacious SUV in its class, according to Maserati. We certainly had no trouble sitting on the rear bench.

With 535 litres of boot capacity (a little down on the 570 litres you get in the Trofeo due to the mild-hybrid system’s packaging), it also offers more luggage space than the Macan, while returning a claimed 32.5mpg and 198g/km of CO2 means it’s a more efficient car, too.

The Trident brand has always carried a certain cachet that appeals on a different level to some of its German competitors, and with the Grecale’s sleek design inspired by the MC20 in some areas (plus, no detail is decorative, everything has a function), it sits easily in this class, even if it feels lacking in a few areas compared with the best. PRACTICALITY

Thanks to the Grecale’s relatively long wheelbase, there’s plenty of room for passengers in the rear seats

LUXURY

Materials are plush and feel expensive. However, our early car’s build quality could have been better in a few areas DISPLAY

Digital dash is joined by two touchscreens for infotainment and climate control; a new digital clock also features

Verdict

THE Grecale is the car Maserati has needed in its line-up for nearly a decade. It offers something a little different in the mid-size luxury SUV sector, and that alone will be enough to tempt some buyers to pick it. Arriving with mild electrification – plus a full EV set to launch next year – there’s technology to compete in this class on merit. However, initial impressions from our first drive suggest that the Grecale falls short in some areas it needs to nail. Our car’s ride comfort and refinement could have been better, even if the quality of the materials inside did mostly live up to the car’s predicted price.