Grecale

Make
Maserati
Segment
SUV

Maserati is finally getting back on track. The Italian automaker is preparing to unleash the new MC20 supercar, but the brand's most important new model is the Grecale, a new midsize crossover that will slot below the Levante and compete with the Porsche Macan. Maserati shared official photos of the Grecale wrapped in blue camouflage a few months ago, and it's shaping up to be an attractive crossover underpinned by the same platform as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio.

Last week, Maserati confirmed there will be a Trofeo version of the Grecale, and now our spies have spotted a mysterious prototype being tested with some noticeable design changes.

We think this is our first look at the new Maserati Grecale Trofeo. The biggest giveaways that this is not a standard Grecale are the larger brakes with drilled discs and red calipers hinting at the SUV's superior performance. The tailpipes also have a different design.

According to our source, the exhaust note had a "much deeper sound," which suggests this Grecale prototype has a more powerful engine under the hood. That engine will most likely be the same twin-turbo V6 that powers the Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio, where it produces 505 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque.

An alternative theory is that Maserati could use its new twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 that generates 621 hp and 538 lb-ft of torque in the Maserati MC20. We know this is highly unlikely, however, as Maserati has openly stated that the Nettuno V6 was built only for the MC20. When it goes on sale, the Maserati Grecale Trofeo will have the Porsche Macan GTS firmly in its sights.

Maserati has confirmed the regular Grecale will debut in November, but we'll have to wait and see if the high-performance Trofeo debuts at the same time or if Maserati saves it until next year. The base version will use the same 2.0-liter inline-four-cylinder as the regular Stelvio and a plug-in hybrid version will also be available.