Italian luxury and performance brand Maserati is walking a line with the Grecale SUV series, striking a balance between elegance (check), versatility (check), performance (check), comfort and safety (check and check). Then there’s the off-road capabilities. There’s a wide range of engines. Choose from the conventional internal combustion, hybrid, and full-electric version.
With the debate going on now about electric vehicles, with most people holding back on buying one (lack of charging infrastructure, and range anxiety, at the core of that), the hybrid offers the best of both worlds. That one’s called the Modena ($85,200 CAD MSRP, $109,350 with added features), equipped with a four-cylinder 330-hp mild hybrid engine. Maserati also launched the GT, powered by a four-cylinder mild hybrid engine capable of delivering 300 hp, and the powerful Trofeo, equipped with a high-performance 3.0L, 530-hp petrol V6.
The Maserati Grecale Folgore is the 100 per cent electric version.
Maserati Grecale SUV offers wide range of engines
With the hybrid version, there’s the full premium leather chevron added feature ($4,900 CAD), for that extra touch of comfort and panache. The Maserati brand alone makes a statement, but vehicle performance trumps showing off. We didn’t test the acceleration on the Modena, but the Trofeo was clocked at 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, with a top speed of 285 km/h. No one needs that driving around the city, or taking weekend junkets along highway networks outside the core. The Modena gave us plenty of muscle on our highway drives.
Everything inside the cabin is touch-face – all the tech controlled from the displays (led by a large, 12.3-inch central screen). The interior is sleek and clean – led by that traditional Maserati clockface. The Maserati Intelligent Assistant Multimedia system, from Maserati Connect and the infotainment system manage the in-car experience. The inside sound experience is great – driven by the immersive Sonus faber 3D sound system (14 speakers, or 21 on demand at High Premium level) – then there’s that Maserati roar as part of the overall all-round sound experience.
In terms of design, the statement-maker is that low, imposing grille, which is all about attitude. A highly fluid body featuring meandering, visual forms and its technical components are highlighted by the use of carbon fibre. In the rear, the boomerang taillights are inspired by the Giugiaro 3200 GT and fit in with the trapezoidal line, made even more striking by the coupé effect of the cabin and its finish like a sports car’s.
