After the complete independence of ECar's original Maserati, the biggest change is the speed of product updates. After years of launching another mid-mounted rear-drive supercar, the MC20, Maserati launched its own mid-size SUV, the Grecale, this year. Judging from the size of the model and the price of 63.88-999,800 yuan, the heart of Sima Zhao of the benchmark Porsche Macan is well known. With The Macan selling nearly 90,000 units worldwide last year, this article will tell you where The Grecalle challenged the Macan ($573,000-853,000) from.
Maserati Grecale
Appearance - Fusion innovation pays tribute to the classics
The straight waterfall's recessed grille, the C-pillar trident logo and the iconic shark fin vents on the side make the Gregale recognisable at a glance from the front and sides as a Maserati. The headlight design borrows from the design of the MC20, and the overall shape is rounded. With the air intakes on the upper and lower sides, there is a hint of cuteness. And if you know enough about Maserati, a look at Grecale from the rear is sure to recall the classic Giugiaro 3200GT. The Grecale boomerang taillight design comes from this. Compared with the front face, Grecale's tail design is much calmer.
Grecale Modena
Grecale Modena
The headlight design is derived from the MC20
The Grecale rear design pays homage to the Giugiaro 3200GT
Giugiaro 3200GT rear styling
In addition, Grecale features a hidden door handle design. But unlike the pop-up design of the new power brand, the fixed inline design ensures that the Grecale has a smoother and smoother body design. The drag coefficient of 0.308Cd (GT version) is a good result for a midsize SUV.
Concealed door handles
At the same time, we can also distinguish the identity of the three Gregale through the details of the appearance. First, the shark fins are marked with their respective versions of the nameplate near the location. In addition, each version has its own design in terms of exhaust pipe shape and rim size. The Trofeo version will also use carbon fiber in the side skirt and rear diffuser position, highlighting the flagship identity.
Body nameplate
Corresponding to the difference in exhaust pipe shape
Carbon fiber rear diffuser for Trofeo models
Interior/Ride Space - Digital Design Space advantages are clear
The interior of Grecale is not so nostalgic, and the four screens are placed in various places in the interior. The LCD gauge and the screen above the center console are both 12.3 inches in size. The car-powered system is equipped with the Maserati Intelligent Assistant (MIA), which is powered by Android Automotive OS. There's also an 8.8-inch display underneath the piano-push gear shift to control lights, seats, air conditioning, clocks and other settings. What about the fourth screen? The answer is the digital dial above the centre console. It can switch back and forth between the interactive assistant, compass, gravimeter, and chronograph.
Grecale interior
12.3 inch LCD meter
The 8.8-inch touchscreen integrates the most commonly used functions
The digital dial supports multiple modes to switch
In terms of body size, the Grecale embodies the advantage of being a late striker. It clearly mirrors the Porsche Macan to develop its own three-dimensional dimensions. While winning overall, the wheelbase of the 2901mm is unparalleled in its class. This gives Gregory two or so punches of legroom even in the face of a 1.8m rear passenger.
Grecale/Macan size comparison
Grecale rear space
Macan rear space
The entry-level model performance occupies the 3.0T model and makes the fastest fuel SUV in its class
Not just in terms of model size, but also in terms of vehicle performance, I believe That Gregare has also made macan an imaginary enemy. There are also three models with different power parameters to choose from. The difference is that macan has only one four-cylinder model to start with, while the Gregare has two high-power four-cylinder models to choose from. So now, think back, how many times have you seen the Macan S or even the Macan GTS model on the road? At least in the Chinese market, brands are often more important than intrinsic performance. That's what Maserati got from Macan.
Grecale and Stelvio share the Giorgio platform
The four-cylinder engine used by the Grecale is the same as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, because the two cars share the Giorgio platform (Grecale's drive shaft is also made of carbon fiber). The identity of the group's handheld pearl undoubtedly makes the Four-Cylinder Engine of the Gregory much more powerful than the Stelvio. In addition, the Grecale2.0T model also introduces a 48V light mix system and an electronic turbine, which has a certain effect on the lack of torque and fuel economy at low revs.
Grecale 2.0T engine
Even last year, the Macan was rebuilt to introduce a 2.0T model powered by the EA888 EVO4 engine. The 0-100km/h acceleration of 6.4s is also slower than the 5.8s of the Gregare GT. However, the difference in performance is also reflected in the respective price. The starting price of Grecale's 638,800 is higher than Macan's 573,000, and the 2.0T high-power Modena version can output 243kW/450N·m, allowing 0-100km/h acceleration to go to 5.3s, but the price also has to go to 738,800.
The entry-level Macan is powered by an EA888 EVO4 engine
Grecale 2.0T low power parameters prevail
Therefore, for the vast majority of potential divers, the most entry-level GT version is the most suitable choice. The spread of 100,000 did not provide much of a boost in momentum. Instead, the entry-level Gregare lets you have better performance than more than 80% Macan. And for performance fanatics, the Grecale has another car waiting for you.
This is the top-of-the-line version of Trofeo. Maserati directly moved the MC20's 3.0T V6 Poseidon engine from the back to the front, and then lowered the power a little to give its flagship a little face. That makes the Grecale the fastest fuel SUV in a million. 390kW/620N·m makes 0-100km/h acceleration of 3.8s become a natural success. Unlike the 8-speed DCT transmission on the MC20, the Grecale uses the ZF 8AT gearbox for rugged performance and daily ride.
Poseidon engine
Grecale's three power comparisons
And the price of 999,800 yuan in addition to the Poseidon engine, you will also get is to unlock its maximum potential corsa mode (Trofeo exclusive). Air suspension (6-stage adjustable, total stroke 65mm) and rear axle electronic limited slip differential (not equipped with the Macan) have also become standard.
Corsa mode became exclusive to the Trofeo version
Since the Modela version, the rear axle limited slip differential has been available as standard
There is little difference in configuration
If I had to recommend three models, two models at the beginning and one at the end would be my choice. The reason is that the difference in comfort configuration of the three models is not as large as their price. Configurations such as huds, Sonus faber@ 21 speakers are all available as equal options. Choosing the top of the Trofeo will surely make performance enthusiasts experience one of the best performance performances in the same class, after all, the Poseidon engine is the essence of Maserati in the new era.
Grecale Trophy
Choosing the introductory GT version, you will use a relatively affordable price to experience a better space experience and similar product positioning than Macan, which is what most potential customers care about. Better power performance is just a plus.
Grecale GT
In addition, like the MC20, Grecale will also launch a pure electric version of the model, and included in its electric vehicle model sequence - Folgore. The word means "lightning" in Italian. Grecale Folgore is expected to launch next year.
Electric version of The Gregale-Grecale Folgore
Summary: Even if it was released a full 8 years later than the Porsche Macan; even if the Macan has already secured the position of Porsche sales champion; even if the luxury brand mid-size SUV market is becoming more and more competitive, maserati Grecalle must be launched. Because in the United States, 80% of passenger cars have become SUVs, and in China, the trend is becoming more and more obvious. It can be seen that Maserati is comparing with the ruler in all aspects of the latitude of The Gregale products, and it has indeed achieved a certain advantage of late strikes. However, the stagnation of brand development and the lack of word-of-mouth accumulation in the past cannot be recovered by the release of Grecale. Perhaps the most important market opportunity for The Gregare is before the arrival of the new Macan.
According to the list of easy car popularity, Grecale ranks 45th in the neutral SUV list, with an average daily attention of 22,300. For more data, please check it in the EasyCar APP.