2021 Maserati Grecale SUV previewed

Fresh images of the 2021 Maserati Grecale have been revealed, previewing the all-new new mid-size SUV that will slot beneath the big Maserati Levante and do battle with both the Porsche Macan and BMW X3.

Built on the same 'Giorgio' platform as the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio, the Maserati Grecale will be launched with the car-maker's new twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 'Nettuno' engine that recently made its debut in the all-new MC20 supercar.

For the Grecale, we expect it to lose its dry-sump lubrication and be detuned from the mighty 470kW/630Nm outputs it delivers in the mid-engined MC20.

Likely to be combined with an eight-speed automatic and a development of an all-wheel drive system used in the Stelvio SUV, the Maserati Grecale will top the mid-size performance SUV class for acceleration with a 0-100km/h sprint of around four seconds, while its top speed will exceed 300km/h, suggests the car-maker.

If that's not enough, the Maserati says it will be the best to drive and also the most spacious in its segment.

As well as the 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6, the Maserati Grecale will later be offered with an all-new pure-electric powertrain that, once again, will be borrowed from the MC20.

The all-electric Maserati SUV is scheduled to arrive in 2022. There's no indication of power nor torque yet, but Maserati has already confirmed its next-gen EVs will feature 800-volt technology and support ultra-rapid 300kW fast-charging.

Helping differentiate the battery-electric SUV from its petrol-powered siblings, the zero-emissions Maserati Grecale is expected to feature range-boosting aero aids and new 'Folgore' badging, which means 'lightning' in Italian.

The cheapest Grecale, meanwhile, will get a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine incorporating 48-volt mild-hybrid tech. Already launched under the bonnet of the Ghibli sedan, it will produce 245kW and features an additional e-turbo to eliminate turbo lag, improving engine response.

A diesel engine, meanwhile, is unlikely but the Maserati Grecale is expected to be a recipient of the new plug-in hybrid powertrain that's just been launched under the bonnet of the Wrangler 4xe.

The new plug-in powertrain combines a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four with two electric motors and a 17.3kWh lithium-ion battery.

Combined, the plug-in hybrid produces 280kW of power and 637Nm of torque, and provides an EV range of 40km plus the ability to average 4.7L/100km.

As well as having a full range of advanced powertrains, bullish Maserati claims the Grecale will match its German rivals for technology and come with the best-in-class sound system.

This suggests Maserati's all-new baby SUV will also launch with the latest driver assistance aids, which could include Level 3 hands-free autonomous cruise control on the highway.

Looking more like a shrunken Levante than being clean-sheet designed SUV, Maserati says the Grecale will be just one of 13 new models introduced over the next three years, including seven by 2022.

Perhaps most hotly anticipated will be the long-awaited replacement for the GranTurismo and GranCabrio, although it's the Grecale that's tipped to become Maserati's instant best-seller.