The Maserati Grecale’s protracted teaser campaign is about to come to an end.
Maserati has teased its upcoming mid-sized SUV one last time before its official reveal on March 22, 2022 at 2pm CET. This translates to 12am AEDT on March 23, 2022.
The Italian automaker chose to show part of the high-performance Trofeo model in a short video it uploaded to its social media. The video shows part of what appears to be the front wheel arch with a high-performance Trofeo badge.
The particular model in the teaser video is painted in yellow, which seems to be very similar to the Giallo Corse yellow used on the Levante, Quattroporte and Ghibli Trofeo MC Edition models.
The Italian automaker had originally planned to reveal the Grecale SUV last November, before delaying it.
“Due to the shortage of semiconductors, the quantity of production would not allow us to respond properly to expected global demand,” the company said at the time.
Although we haven’t fully seen the Grecale yet without camouflage, we have spied a number of prototypes undergoing testing.
The high-performance Grecale Trofeo prototypes were distinguishable from regular Grecale prototypes by their larger brakes with drilled discs, lower ride height, reworked front fascia and a unique quad exhaust outlets.
Grecale Trofeo prototype
The Grecale will be based on the Giorgio platform underpinning the Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan and Stelvio SUV.
Autocar previously reported the Grecale Trofeo will come with a detuned version of the MC20’s twin-turbocharged ‘Nettuno’ 3.0-litre V6.
It’s unclear just how detuned it’ll be, but the MC20 pumps out 463kW of power and 730Nm of torque.
Trofeo variants of the Ghibli and Quattroporte use a Ferrari-built twin-turbo 3.8-litre V8 producing 433kW and 730Nm, while the Levante Trofeo produces 441kW.
All Grecale models will feature the ‘Q4’ all-wheel drive set-up of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, plus a ZF-sourced eight-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.
Maserati says the all-wheel drive system can split torque 50:50 between the axles, but in certain drive modes and for certain models it can send torque solely to the rear axle – that sounds like a party trick for the Grecale Trofeo.
The Trofeo model will give Maserati a rival to the likes of the BMW X3 M and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S, which put out 375kW/650Nm and 375kW/700Nm, respectively.
Autocar also reports the Grecale range will open with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine that’s turbocharged and features an electric supercharger and a mild-hybrid system – likely a 48V system, as seen in the Ghibli Hybrid.
The UK publication test drove a prototype of the vehicle, which produces 220kW of power at 5750rpm and 450Nm of torque between 2000 and 4000rpm.
Kerb weight is 1870kg, with a 0-100km/h time of 5.6 seconds, 0.1 seconds quicker than a Ghibli Hybrid that produces 26kW more power.
Maserati will also debut an electric version of the Grecale in 2022, which will wear the brand’s new Folgore (‘lightning’) badge.
Pictured: Regular Grecale promotional model
It’ll join electric versions of the MC20 and upcoming GranTurismo replacement, and will give Maserati a rival to the likes of the upcoming Porsche Macan EV.
Maserati recently announced it’s going all-electric from 2030 and every model in its lineup will have at least one pure electric variant by 2025.
The Grecale is a crucial new model for Maserati as it will represent a new entry point to the brand, with production of the Ghibli set to end by 2025.
The base Ghibli is Maserati’s most affordable model in many markets, though here it’s undercut by the base Levante.
There’s been no indication yet of pricing for the Grecale, however it’ll likely undercut the Levante GT which opens at $126,990 before on-roads.
It’ll also likely be priced above the Stelvio, the core model range of which is priced from $64,950 to $78,950 before on-roads.
The flagship Quadrifoglio rings up at $146,950 before on-roads, while the 2022 Porsche Macan range slots neatly in between this price gap.
MORE: Maserati Grecale reveal set for March 22
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