Maserati Grecale world premiere

Since 1963, Maserati has named its models after famous winds (for example, the familiar Ghibli is named after the kibli - a seasonal hot cyclone in the Sahara desert, and "Levante" is a The monsoon that crosses the Mediterranean can change from a gentle wind to a violent storm in an instant.), the name of the new car, Gregale, is also a wind from the Mediterranean (a violent northeasterly wind sweeping the Mediterranean). It can be said that the release of Grecale is Italian luxury. A drop in, so what are the odds of winning in this competition between Italian luxury and German luxury represented by Macan? When it comes to Italian brands like Maserati, there are always people who associate it with words such as romance and passion. However, it was tricked by fate that it did not show the style it should have for a long time. Until this year, the brand finally ushered in an explosion. The brand-new MC20 supercar fired the first shot of the brand's recovery. Subsequently, the Grecale, a model that really affects Maserati's future financial statements, finally unveiled its mystery. There is no doubt that it has placed all the expectations of the group, and can it leverage the market that the Porsche Macan guards?

Maserati's new Grecale will be launched in China on April 21. Grecale is an entry-level SUV for Maserati, positioned lower than Levante, its main competitor is Porsche Macan, and will provide V6, hybrid and pure electric powertrains in the future. The GT version, the mid-range Modena version and the high-performance Trofeo version are expected to start at 500,000+ and are expected to be delivered in September this year.

Unlike the Macan, the Grecale has been designed with the practicality of the rear seat in mind, and the size of the vehicle has been greatly expanded. While consumers buying this type of car won't be overwhelmed by Care, the fact is that the Grecale has the most spacious interior in its segment, and arguably the most comfortable product in its class. And the choice of materials and perceived quality in the car have reached or even surpassed the competition.

Grecale launched a total of three versions of the model - GT, Modena and high-performance Trofeo version. Among them, the Trofeo version is equipped with a 3.0T Nettuno Poseidon engine with a maximum power of 530 horsepower and a maximum torque of 620 Nm. The transmission system is matched with a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, and the acceleration time to 100 kilometers is only 3.8 seconds. This result is faster than the Macan GTS, and comparable to the Mercedes-Benz GLC 63 and the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

As for the GT and Modena, both are equipped with a 2.0T+48V mild-hybrid system, with a maximum torque of 450 Nm and a maximum power of 300 and 330 horsepower respectively. The zero-to-hundred acceleration results are 5.6 seconds and 5.3 seconds, which are slower than the Macan S and Mercedes-Benz GLC 43. So we chose to give more time to the experience of the Trofeo version.

As a source of joy for the whole car, the Nettuno engine on the Grecale Trofeo forgoes the dry sump design on the MC20, but retains the innovative dual combustion system to ensure a high 11:1 compression ratio.

In daily experience, the whole engine is tortured at low revs, and its unpleasant and dull sound has been suggesting the driver to press the accelerator deeper. And when the needle turns fast at 5,000 rpm, the engine will compose a high-pitched and sweet song for you, and push your hormone levels to the top.

So while Trofeo offers up to 5 driving modes (Off-Road, Comfort, GT, Sport and Corsa), trust me, make sure you don't use GT and Comfort modes as they bury the engine and transmission talent," Sport "It's the real standard model of this car.

I actually prefer the manual mode, however, simply because the pair of massive aluminum paddle shifters behind the Grecale's steering wheel are too enticing.

There are also downsides. For example, the steering and chassis adjustment are too comfortable. Compared with the Stelvio, which is also based on the Giorgio platform, the Grecale steering wheel has slightly inferior road feel and steering accuracy. At the same time, because the suspension is equipped with variable damping shock absorbers and air springs, there will be no real feedback like the Stelvio during intense driving. This performance is undoubtedly disappointing for a Maserati.

Also not ideal is its braking system. The braking force is adjusted very badly at the beginning. Driving in the city will test your skills very much. If you don’t get it right, it will lead to complaints from the co-pilot and rear passengers. At the same time, the automatic parking is not released in time after stepping on the accelerator. Every time it starts before the traffic light, it is like playing a catapult start. I hope the manufacturer can adjust it in time.

As for its 2.0T version. It also has a refined exhaust sound and the same dynamism as the Porsche Macan 2.0T version. But the fact is that compared with the Trofeo, the sense of drop is relatively large, and more importantly, there are no transitional models like the Mercedes-Benz GLC 43 and Macan S between the two, and it suffers a bit in terms of selection.

The design of Grecale follows the cute line. The two round headlights are very popular with female consumers, which is completely different from the fierce style of the big brother Levante. The interior is lavishly styled, with soft, fine-textured leather abounds, as well as attractive contrast stitching and other premium materials. The ergonomics are also top-notch. The seat provides decent support. Sitting is also excellent. The downside comes from the lack of electric adjustment of the steering wheel and the steering wheel buttons and full LCD instrument cluster that are too similar to Jeep's latest models.

Written at the end: In fact, after the test drive of the whole car, I found that Maserati still regards sound as the whole of sports, which is very similar to Levante. Although I admit that its handling is substandard and not as good as the Macan, you can get more space than the Macan, a more aura shape, and enjoy the decent blessing brought by the trident logo on the front of the car. Therefore, Grecale is not a car suitable for evaluating with rational thinking. If you are after the controllability of an SUV, then the Porsche Macan can still be the best choice. Otherwise, all emotional factors will drive you to buy a Maserati , provided that the price is similar to the Macan.

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