Grecale

Make
Maserati
Segment
SUV

Ahead of its official debut, Maserati has released a teaser of the upcoming Grecale SUV. Seen on the brand's Instagram page, a cryptic message reads, "*** km/h. I'll make your heart race."

This hints at the Grecale's top speed and, if the Italian automaker feels the need to tease that information, we're guessing it should be a fairly rapid SUV.

Maserati has remained tightlipped about the newcomer. Rumors suggest the Grecale could employ a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-pot with hybrid assistance for regular models, with the range-topping performance model receiving the twin-turbo 2.9-liter currently utilized by the Alfa-Romeo Giulia and Stelvio Quadrifoglio. The 505-horsepower V6 allows the sporting Stelvio to hit a top speed of 176 mph. For Maserati to truly impress consumers, the Grecale Trofeo will have to best its Stellantis stablemate.

This isn't the first time Maserati has released a teaser to pique the interest of fans. Only recently, a lightly camouflaged Grecale took to Modena's streets, covered in trivia and clues. As seen above, the statements are missing key pieces of information, designed to intrigue passers-by and Maserati enthusiasts alike. On the rear door, it reads, "I have ***** for more than just adrenaline.

As interesting as this tactic may be, Maserati needs the Grecale to be a success if it hopes to have a sustainable future. Previously, the brand hinged its hopes on the Ghibli and Levante. While both were noble attempts, consumers largely ignored the left-field alternatives and continued buying BMWs and Mercedes-Benzes in their droves.

With any luck, the brand's new compact SUV may appeal to an entirely new market, one that previously couldn't afford a Maserati. The badge still holds plenty of appeal and, when affixed to the rumored hybrid model, could attract plenty of eco-conscious luxury lovers.

But if the luxury carmaker truly wants a chance at succeeding, it needs to create a car worthy of supplanting the Macan as the compact sports SUV benchmark. With the popular Porsche swapping over to battery power, Maserati will have to offer a purely electric derivative of the Grecale. To that end, a recent report has suggested a 670-hp electric derivative is in the works. Known as the Folgore (Italian for lightning).

If the information is to be believed, the Folgore will become the most powerful production car Maserati has ever produced. We doubt the Italian company will allow an entry-level model to hold that title and make its more expensive siblings look bad, though. Perhaps it will only arrive after the electric GranTurismo. The Grecale will debut on March 22, with more information likely to arrive as the date draws nearer.