Cheering for Maserati right now feels a bit like being a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. You spend each year hoping for the best, but reality bites every time the chips are down. Even with a heavily revamped product range going into the 2020s, sales aren’t spectacular, and it can be a struggle to recommend its models given their high price points. Nevertheless, the marque’s refreshed its GranTurismo, GranCabrio, and Grecale models in a bid to stay in the fight, and all of them are getting some seriously large grillework.
Let’s start with the Grecale, Maserati’s Porsche Macan rival. This one actually holds some promise because it’s receiving something it’s badly needed. Previously, it was available with either a turbocharged four-cylinder engine making up to 325 horsepower or a strong 523-horsepower three-liter V6. That’s a big gulf, so Maserati developed a low-output twin-turbocharged three-liter V6 to try and fill it. Pumping out 385 horsepower, the low-po V6 model claims to shave three tenths off the old four-cylinder Grecale Modena’s zero-to-60 mph time while providing a more exciting soundtrack. However, it’s not exactly new. America already got it in the Grecale Modena for 2026, but now Maserati’s sticking it in the base model. How exciting.
Otherwise, the compact crossover gets a few interior and exterior tweaks. A new digital clock features what Maserati calls a “mineral crystal dial,” which, hang on a second, isn’t that just like the screens on mid-range fitness trackers? Regardless, the steering wheel’s more octagonal now, and metal toggles replace the old car’s plastic shifter buttons. However, the big news is the face.
Yep, Maserati’s signature concave grille has now spilled over its frame and consumed much of the Grecale’s front fascia. There’ll be no mistaking a facelifted Grecale on the rare occasion you find one in your rearview mirror. While the new face is definitely keeping with the MCPura supercar, something about it doesn’t quite translate to a larger, taller plane.
I will say, the new family face does seem to work better on the GranTurismo and GranCabrio thanks to their low hood lines, although it’s more purposeful than pretty. Lots of open area here, which probably helps now that Maserati has whacked maximum output of the Trofeo models up to 582 horsepower. Rapid stuff, but perhaps the most exciting powertrain change is a new drive mode on non-Trofeo models that owners might actually use a lot. It’s called “Country Mode,” and while it doesn’t dress you in tweed and put a dog in the passenger seat, it does raise the ride height below 75 MPH for a smoother ride over pockmarked, frost heave-affected stretches of tarmac.
On the inside, the new GranTurismo and GranCabrio gain an eye-popping addition to the options list: Something called “Nude Alcantara.” Okay then. It’s paired with Bordeaux leather, and I could make a joke here, but HR is watching. Anyway, the same sort of metal shifter toggles and digital clock in the Grecale make their way into the GranTurismo and GranCabrio, and the steering wheel’s now octagonal. A new infotainment user interface rounds out the interior, and clear-lens taillamps finish off the external facelift.
It’s a routine mid-cycle update for the Grecale, GranTurismo, and GranCabrio, but the trouble will be making people care. Maserati’s slide back into relative obscurity is something worth studying because in the mid-2000s, the marque was actually cool. With bits of Ferrari DNA under the skin of models like the Quattroporte V and sonorous V8 soundtracks, the Maserati range dripped with desire. Then, a few things happened. The Ghibli and Quattroporte VI sharing switchgear with a Dodge Dart probably didn’t help, and the current range is simply eye-wateringly expensive. The pre-facelift GranTurismo was discounted pretty much as soon as it hit the market, and that’s not a good sign for a luxury brand. The marque still has a long climb ahead of it, but hey, maybe Nude Alcantara can help.
Top graphic image: Maserati
Hey, Maserati, you uh… you got something on your cheek there.
What the hell kind of name is Grecale? It just doesn’t sound good. Very odd. “I drive a greyscale Grecale” I’d rather have a classic Maserati that does 185!
“Nude Alcantara”
I’d rather have a sexy nude escort…
It’s pronounced greck-AH-leh.
Yeah, it just doesn’t sound good… it’s sounds weird. I just added the word greyscale since it was funny
For some reason, it reminds me of treacle. Maybe I’m getting dyslexic in my old age.
[Pinched Fingers emoji]
I actually love saying the name, but it’s always with an over the top Italian accent. I was behind one this past week and I think this is a case where the font and lack of character accents doesn’t resemble the emotion of the name nor how to pronounce it.
I like the name for the model, but it would be more fitting to be in a cursive font and not the slanted blocky look with the race-y connecting line underneath.
These definitely need an Adrian Clarke styling critique ASAP!
Sounds like a hair creme to me. Probably too close to Grecian Formula.
Maseratis seem like they are made for people who don’t know anything about cars who want to impress other people who don’t know anything about cars with their expensive car that anyone who knows anything about cars knows they definitely didn’t pay full retail for.
Such an accurate description of the modern Maserati buyer. It’s been that way for at least the last 20 years.
I honestly don’t know much about the brand’s entire history and will do some research. With 100 years of making cars I’d wager they weren’t always this way.
Depreciation, depreciation, depreciation.
I remember when Maserati was the 3rd point of the Ferrari and Lamborghini triad. That ship sailed so long ago
“mineral crystal dial”
In the watch world that’s a low end crystal for the dial, a step above plastic, sort of, plastic has its charms for its warmth and reflectivity, and certainly above plain old glass.
The best crystals are sapphire.
That they couldn’t pop for the best crystal is saying We Cheap And Hope Our Poser Customers Don’t Know Anything.
Yep, I seem to recall mineral glass scratching quite easily should you have your hands in your pockets. It’s probably fine for something on a dashboard, but why try to talk it up in the marketing copy? Anyone who can buy one of these cars can easily afford something like a Prospex Alpinist GMT with a sapphire crystal. They’re probably even wearing something with a sapphire crystal on their wrist right now.
Yeah, a truly odd marketing choice.
That’s a really nice watch you refer to!
“The best crystals are sapphire.”
That’s debatable. Sapphire is tough….until it isn’t and shatters into a bazillion splinters. But maybe the higher end crystals are less prone to that. But mineral crystal is quite good, at least as Seiko does it with Hardlex. And it’s less prone to shattering
Even so I prefer acrylic. If anything because it’s more true to vintage.
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If they taper that grille opening with two small flat areas like a tiger’s nose.
Maybe it would get them more noticed and higher sales if they were available at a Kia dealer.
These will be cool in 4 years when they’re 50% of MSRP and my other cars are paid off. Until then, I have to hope that someone starts ordering whacky color combos so I have a good pick on the used market.
I drove a manual 2004 Coupe GT for a few years. Saw my first example at the Canadian GP in 2002 when they had them on display. At that time, it seemed cooler than a 2002 Porsche.
Amazing to me how Porsche has generally continuously increased the appeal (even with standard turbocharging) of a platform that doesn’t really compete well with the Maserati Coupe formula on paper.
If the Levante had come out on 2002 maybe Maserati would have built up the reserves to compete with Porsche.
These refreshed Maseratis just don’t appeal
I have seen too many mechanic videos showing QC issues and astronomical repair cost about this brand so I will pass
Looks like the proverbial “fish out of water” . . .
I’ve always been amazed at the amount of cool air a hidden front bumper needs. Must be a science thing.
I think for me to really consider a Maserati purchase, it depends on how good-looking this person named Alcantara is!
It’s actually Al Cantara, an insurance salesman from New Jersey who makes extra money on the side as a George Costanza impersonator in Atlantic City.
Maseratis are bought for the name recognition and the sound. The looks are always never the best compared to Jaguar or Aston Martin.
The best thing to happen to Maserati lately is the prominent presence in Apple TV’s Friends and Neighbors.
I’ve been wondering if that was a paid product placement and if it would have any effect on their sales.
I think it only became product placement in S2; they paid to stop the trunk opening randomly.
That was a genuine Maserati ownership experience
Nice! Take my upvote because you’ve earned it. Thanks for the laugh.
Always glad to add value to someone’s day!
Immediate reaction to the topshot: Groucho Marx paint moustache. Well, now.
“Our most expensive cars weren’t selling well, so we made them uglier” is not the flex Stellantis thinks it is.
I feel 1952 Buick love industry wide.
I don’t know what you are on about.
Anyway, I want an MC20 (or whatever it is called this week) but with normal doors.
Thank you.
The Chinese don’t buy foreign cars anymore, can we stop pretending anyone else likes this?
Maserati Billy Bass Edition, not to be confused with Lincoln’s Bill Blass Editions.
And here I thought The Autopian’s HR department stood for HR Giger, in which case, it’s not nude enough!
Plot twist: I’m Autopian HR, and I would have approved of this joke. Actually, I joked that “Nude Alcantara” is the perfect car-themed drag queen name.
I’m going to rush right out and ignore it!
Downgrade
Once again, we owe the 2019 Camaro SS a heartfelt apology.
No, no we don’t
In no universe is that true and it’s still uglier than sin.