Maserati is preparing to launch the Grecale as a second SUV, and our spy photographers have taken the sharpest prototype shots yet, outside a manufacturing facility in Italy.
The Grecale is clearly similar in size to the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, with which it will share most of its fundamentals, and despite heavy camouflage and fencing obscuring most of the car’s final design, the influence of the larger Levante is obvious.
The brand’s second major SUV is named Grecale after the “fierce north-easterly wind of the Mediterranean Sea”. The model is a key part of Maserati’s bold relaunch plan that it kicked off last year with the reveal of the MC20 supercar.
Intended to play “a key role in the development of the brand”, the Porsche rival Macan will be built on the same production line as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio at the FCA plant in Cassino, Italy. Maserati is planning an investment of around 800 million euros (£ 790 million) in the plant.
It will also share much of its foundation with the Stelvio, and a fully electric version is also expected to arrive by 2022. However, combustion engine models will use Maserati engines rather than Alfa, likely to include the 2.0 slightly. hybrid. -litre turbo offered in the Ghibli and Levante, and a reduced version of the new Nettuno V6 of the MC20 for the more powerful variant.
Maserati Global Planning Director Francesco Tonon told Autocar the Grecale will be “the most practical in its class, but it will also be luxurious,” adding: “It will feature the best design and features in its class. . Of course, it’s still a Maserati, but it will also offer best-in-class performance and handling. “
SUVs are expected to account for 70% of Maserati’s sales by 2025, with sedans down to 15% and sports cars, like the recently launched MC20, accounting for 5%.
The new SUV was first confirmed in 2018 by former FCA boss Sergio Marchionne as part of a complete overhaul of its product line. Also included is the MC20 in three variants: coupe, Spider convertible and fully electric, as well as a new Granturismo and Grancabrio, due to both combustion and electric forms.
By 2023/2024, the brand will also have a next-generation Levante and Quattroporte, both also available with an electric powertrain. In an advanced form, this will use an 800V electrical system and three motors.
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Source: www.autocar.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-06-15 09:26:34