Maserati Grecale Trofeo with V6 - Passion obliges

Maserati Grecale Trofeo with V6 - Passion obliges

How can you express your automotive passion? With an unusual brand, for example. Maserati is certainly one of them. But it's only slowly that you get used to SUVs from this sports car brand. ntv.de has subjected the Grecale to a practical test.

The bad news first: if you, dear reader, are thinking of buying a sporty Maserati SUV - it's not a cheap pleasure. Even the basic version of the Grecale, which at 4.86 meters in length is not quite as expansive and sits at the upper end of the mid-size class, starts at just under 77,000 euros. But sorry, a Maserati with four cylinders doesn't really fit even in lean downsizing times. Better to go for the electrically powered version, which is coming. Or the six-cylinder with the promising name suffix "Trofeo" at the ambitious price of at least 111,003 euros. Phew.

Even if you had the budget at your disposal - the Italian has to offer quite a lot of compensation for such a sum. It's up to each individual to decide for themselves whether they can achieve this by design. At least the creative minds have made an effort. Experts, at least, identify the brand not only by the huge trident in the emphatically large radiator grille - the traditionally rising window line to the rear and the design language of the C-pillar are clear indications and, of course, historical design citations.

Those who are unfamiliar with the style of the historic label will be delighted when they reach for the engine start button near the steering wheel. And when the powerful-sounding six-cylinder engine kicks in after a cold start, a wave of emotional warmth wafts through the Maserati interior and gives you goose bumps. A battery-electric car with so many sound generators can hardly do that.

Why a Maserati SUV? Because SUVs are in demand

Okay, let's get rolling. In a touch of modernization paired with the urge to make it somehow special, the Stellantis Group gives its finest SUV pushbuttons as controls for the eight-speed automatic transmission. Aha, so the Italian is state of the art here. More on the rest of the interior later.

As I cruise along, I ask myself the philosophical question of why a Maserati SUV is so important. Doesn't the brand want to build sporty cars? So such an all-wheel drive vehicle would actually be counterproductive, wouldn't it? Higher seating position? Well, you don't sit that high either. Towing capacity? About 2500 kilograms. However, you don't have to look for the reasons with the manufacturer, but rather with the customers. SUVs seem to be sexy when even brands such as Ferrari or Lotus have recently started doing so.

What can be said is that the Grecale delivers a finely balanced mixture of comfortable appearance and sporty performance. Sumptuous and comfortable armchairs (air-conditioned, of course) with a hint of lateral support and the most supple leather upholstery do a good job on long journeys, but don't throw the driver off course when he wants to take a few bends on the country road. The two-tonner absorbs bumps quite effectively. In this respect, this SUV can once again pass as a legitimate multifunctional vehicle. And it also offers plenty of space, even enough for people and luggage (around 1600 liters).

The Grecale exudes a hint of Alfa Romeo Stelvio when handling the steering wheel on winding roads. This sporty touch is good for the more luxurious Maserati. The solution is: the trident is also based on the tried-and-tested Giorgio platform, on which the chassis of the legendary Giulia Quadrifoglio, for example, has been repeatedly praised by the trade press.

Full infotainment drone

It is exciting to see how the interior design of the second youngest Maserati aims to win the favor of the modern generation. Touch, yes, but not too much complexity, please. A separate control panel has been retained for the air conditioning system (after all, you use it every day), while the main screen above it is responsible for the other functions. And there are quite a few of them, but the operation is largely intuitive.

In addition, Maserati has brought its traditional analog clock into the modern age by turning mechanical hands into a display. But the timepiece (now with various features) has remained round. The fact that the instrument cluster now also consists solely of a display should be mentioned in passing. To make the full infotainment drone perfect, Maserati has also provided a head-up display.

It is astonishing that the Italians have now got to grips with the quality of workmanship, even if one or two of the soft lacquer buttons (especially those on the steering wheel) could look a little more valuable. This is compensated for by the accurately drawn double decorative stitching in sporty yellow.

After moderate cruising, however, the Trofeo has to show once again what the 530 horses of the turbo are capable of. Under full load, the Italian tears off, pushes powerfully and sputters with full acoustic power from the four tailpipes. Traction problems are not to be expected thanks to the variable all-wheel drive plus rear axle differential lock, which is why the factory specification of 3.8 seconds for the sprint to 100 km/h seems completely credible. The top speed is 285 km/h.

Of course, the six-cylinder engine can also sip away a few liters more when pushed hard, but the fuel consumption figures are in single digits at restrained freeway speeds. On the engine side, despite the Giorgio substructure, Maserati now takes a different approach to Alfa and relies on the newly developed Nettuno three-cylinder engine, which also powers the racy MC-20 super sports car. Here, however, the emotional-sounding six-cylinder engine gets by without the elaborate dry sump lubrication system.

Of course, the Grecale is not a track tool for maximum lateral performance - so there is no danger of losing the oil film. But it is a veritable multifunctional tool with plenty of comfort and space, which represents a refreshing alternative to the naturalized domestic competition in our latitudes. Incidentally, it is also one that has nothing to hide in terms of its technological peripherals. Even things like LED matrix lights or extensive assistance, including cruise control, which ensures that the car brakes automatically to a standstill in tough freeway traffic jams or city traffic, are included. It's worth trying out.

Data sheet Maserati Grecale Trofeo

Conclusion: The sinfully expensive Maserati Grecale Trofeo with its racy six-cylinder engine is a high-quality alternative to the domestic SUV competition. It has no real weaknesses. And to be honest, it has to be said that the Italians have made another leap in quality with their young model in terms of its material processing. The soft lacquer buttons alone should be of a higher quality. After all, there must still be something to do at Maserati.

In light of the Maserati Grecale Trofeo's impressive performance, some might consider taking it for a Car practical test, especially given its SUV structure and sports car origins. Despite the increased popularity of SUVs, some fans of Maserati might argue that the brand should focus more on sports cars instead of venturing into the SUV market. However, Maserati's implementation of sports car features into its SUVs, such as the powerful six-cylinder engine, could convert even the most skeptical SUV critics into appreciative Maserati owners.

Source: www.ntv.de