- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru He Fr Ar
Maserati Grecale SUV. Hurricane wind
The Maserati Grecale is Maserati’s latest SUV, scheduled for release in 2022. At the moment, the manufacturer has released 250 prototypes, which test various systems of the future vehicle. Production vehicles should be expected at the end of spring 2022.
The premiere show, scheduled for November 2021, is delayed due to the global microchip crisis. It’s a pity, as this is the most important model for Maserati in recent years. With this SUV, the Italian company intends to step into a new level of luxury and sophistication, bringing new standards to the popular class of mid-size SUVs. Maserati’s fate will also depend on the success of this vehicle. The model was named in honor of the wind that freely flies over the Mediterranean Sea. The new Grecale marks a transition into the electric realm: a purely electric version Folgore (which means ‘lightning’ in Italian) is planned. It will be the company’s first electric car and should be expected in 2024.
Grecale (Italian Grecale, Greek Graigos) is a Mediterranean northeast cold strong wind, capable of turning into a storm. It blows in the entire basin of the Western Mediterranean as a whole. It appears when a low pressure area (cyclone) moves south of Malta. The name of the wind comes from the Italian word "grecale" ("Greek"), as medieval sailors believed that the wind was blowing from Greece.
Currently (November 2021) there are prototype models for testing. The new Maserati Grecale is built on the Giorgio platform, shared with the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio, which are well known to the Israelis. As for dimensions, the future bestseller will be a little smaller than the Levante, but larger than the Stelvio. The SUV will be 4,850 mm long, 2,160 mm wide and 1,670 mm high, with a wheelbase of 2,900 mm. The vehicle will have a large trunk (535 l). Undoubtedly, the SUV will look elegant and refined, featuring sophisticated body outlines, bulging wings and huge radiator grille. Wide-spaced wheels with a diameter of 19, 20 or 21 inches suggest excellent handling.
The range of engines for the first time will consist of two gasoline options, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission from ZF. The base variant is a hybrid with 48-volt MHEV technology, shared with the Ghibli sedan, based on a 2-liter 4-cylinder engine that develops a maximum power of 300 hp and 450 Nm through the use of combined boost: there are both a turbocharger and an electric supercharger. The ambitious drivers can use modifications with a 3-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine, installed on the Maserati MC20 supercar, generating 630 hp and 730 Nm. However, the Grecale will feature a less powerful engine. The entry-level Grecale with a 2-liter engine with 300 hp is capable of accelerating to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, while the maximum speed is 240 km/h. The top version will be just a hurricane!
The entry-level Grecale with a 2-liter engine with 300 hp is capable of accelerating to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds, while the maximum speed is 240 km/h. The top version will be just a hurricane!
The SUV will receive an all-wheel drive transmission: the rear-wheel drive will become the main one, and the front-wheel drive will be connected to it through the clutch. Handling will be assisted by optional intelligent dampers that instantly react to changes in surface quality. The new Maserati Grecale will be offered with four driving modes: Comfort, GT, Sport, and Off-Road. The entry-level vehicles will have a simple spring suspension.
The 2022 Maserati Grecale will feature an 8.8-inch digital dashboard and a 12.3-inch touch screen on the center console. It should be noted that the system has received the most modern technologies, including the MIA intelligent assistant. The multifunction steering wheel is equipped with touch buttons. The interior finishing comprises a lot of leather. The traditional Maserati clock has received a sapphire blue electronic dial, so you can switch between displaying time, overload, heading and pressure in the brake system or throttle valve. The front seats strike the perfect balance between softness and support, and their unusually recessed backrests offer room for second-row passengers' knees (and plenty of room for their heads, too).
