KUALA LUMPUR: The Maserati Grecale made a swift entry into Malaysia - barely three months after its world premiere.
It comes in three variants: 300hp GT, 330hp Modena and 530hp Trofeo.
All three variants will be available in Malaysia. The SUV is open for pre-booking now.
Naza Italia - Maserati has yet to firm up the pricing, which will be announced once the model appears in the local showroom towards year-end. But expect the Grecale Trofeo to be in the RM500,000 range.
Taking its name from a wind, like its elder sister Levante, the Grecale is produced in Stellantis' Cassino plant, in central Italy.
The Trofeo variant has a 3.0 litre twin turbo V6 Nettuno engine, capable of a top speed of 285kph.
The lower variants use a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder mild hybrid engine.
The Trofeo unit at the launch ceremony today is on a world tour, and will only be in Malaysia until Sunday before heading to Singapore.
With a length of 4.859 metres, the Grecale will compete with models including Porsche's Macan, Mercedes' GLE, BMW's X5 and Land Rover's Discovery.
The new SUV stands out in terms of spaciousness and comfort, boasting an impressive set of “best-in-class” features.
It is best-in-class in terms of its interior space, driveability, handling, and acceleration, top speed, sound quality and extensive use of fine materials such as wood, carbon fibre and leather.
The design of the Grecale embraces Maserati’s new visual symbol, which distinguishes every new model since the MC20.
The front features a low and imposing grille. The profile is notable for its contrast between purity and technique, with a highly fluid body featuring meandering, visual forms and its technical components highlighted by the use of carbon fibre.
In the rear, the boomerang taillights are inspired by the Giugiaro 3200 GT and fit in with the trapezoidal line, made more striking by the coupé effect of the cabin and its finish like a sports car's.
Inside the cabin, the standout tech specs include the traditional Maserati clockface. Digital for the first time, it transforms into an in-car concierge, courtesy of voice control.
The new Maserati Vehicle Dynamic Control Module (VDCM) system offers up to five drive modes: COMFORT, GT, SPORT, CORSA (Trofeo only) and OFF-ROAD.
Everything has become touch-based. The technology is controlled from the displays: the large 12.3” central screen, the largest ever seen in a Maserati, another 8.8” display for the extra controls and a third for the passengers in the rear seats.
An optional state-of-the-art heads-up display is available.
The in-car experience can be managed from the Maserati Intelligent Assistant (MIA) Multimedia system, from the infotainment and from Maserati Connect.
The in-car audio system is provided by the Sonus faber 3D sound system, which is specified with either 14 speakers or 21 speakers.
Maserati had announced in March that a full-electric version of the Grecale will be available next year, widening the pool of potential competitors to Tesla.
Naza Italia–Maserati chief operating officer Farid Sulaiman said the Maserati SUV had attracted a lot of attention in Malaysia, which he was optimistic would translate into sales.
He said this was "based on the volume of enquiries and pre-orders we have received thus far."
"We believe it will be the game changer for Maserati in Malaysia.”
The introduction of the Grecale marks another step in the promised expansion of the automaker's range as part of a turnaround strategy.
Initially planned for November last year, the international launch of the new model had been delayed due to a global chip shortage.
Maserati aims to offer a so-called "Folgore" full-electric version of each model - including the over €200,000 (RM947,000) super sport car MC20 - by 2025 and to be entirely full-electric by 2030.
Its first battery electric vehicle (BEV) will be the new GranTurismo, due to debut before the electric Grecale in 2023.
Warranty for the Grecale is three years with no mileage restriction.
Contact Naza Italia - Maserati showroom at tel: 03 7956 8599 or 1700 81 5051 in Petaling Jaya, Selangor for more information.
Follow www.facebook/maserati.malaysia and @maserati.malaysia (Instagram) for the brand’s latest updates in Malaysia.
> SPECIFICATIONS (pdf)
Grecale Modena
Grecale GT
