Satiating the taste of modern-day consumers, major supercar makers like Porsche, Aston Martin and Ferrari have made the foray into the territory of SUVs. Take the Porsche Cayenne for example — despite its controversy, the Porsche Cayenne is a testament to how luxury everyday cars are becoming one of the top-liners for an automotive manufacture that made a name with supercars — which opened the door for the burgeoning luxury SUV segment. Maserati joined the party in 2016 with the Levante Trofeo, a full-size SUV powered by a Ferrari-derived V8 engine. To strengthen its presence in the luxury SUV market, Maserati launched another SUV — the Grecale.
To usher in 2023, Maserati introduced the new 2023 Grecale in a GT Hybrid version. Christened by a north-easterly Mediterranean wind, the luxury SUV is lauded as “The Everyday Exceptional” with the right balance between versatility, elegance, performance and innovation, representing the Trident brand’s fullest range ever with three engine variants — conventional internal combustion, hybrid and full-electric.
Speaking Maserati’s new visual vernacular — which distinguishes every new model since the MC20 — the front features a low and imposing grille with an insert in brushed chrome while being adorned by alloy wheels that come with the option of 19” or 20”. On the back, it boosts boomerang taillights inspired by the Giugiaro 3200 GT and dual chrome-plated exhausts.
With a cabin bedecked in Saffiano leatherwork-inspired dashboard insert; complete with burnished inserts on the central console and door panel, the interior design showcases a new interpretation of Maglia Milano — an exquisite design seen in jewellery and watchmaking through the lens of Maserati. Premium leather in rich chocolate colour is also available to add a warming contrast to the opulence-charged interiors.
Everything gets digitalised inside the cabin while accustoming to the tech-savvy era. Physical buttons now give way to touch-based displays – a 12.3” central screen, the largest ever seen in a Maserati; 8.8” display for extra control. In the cabin, drivers are greeted by a digital clock and a driver-car interface that tells the time alongside a response signal emittance every time it receives a voice command.
Powering the 2023 Maserati Grecale GT is the 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol unit that delivers 300 PS (296 hp) at 5,750 rpm and 450 Nm of torque from 2,000 to 4,000 rpm. This GT variant comes with a 48-volt mild hybrid system complete with a belt starter generator, a battery, an eBooster and a DC/DC converter.