Maserati has just announced the arrival of its Grecale Modena V6, delivering a more engaging performance, visceral sound, and luxury interior to the existing SUV in an attempt to appeal to North American audiences.
“The Grecale Modena V6 brings the Maserati experience into even sharper focus for our region,” said Andrea Soriani, Head of Maserati Americas, in a press release. “With a V6 at the heart of the range, it delivers the character our customers expect from the Trident – stronger performance, a richer sound, and a competitive specification that stands up in the real world. It’s modern Italian luxury you can enjoy every day, with the space and versatility to seamlessly integrate into your lifestyle.”
Smooth commuter or track bully: the choice is yours
The main draw of the Grecale Modena V6 is, well, its V6. It’s a specially tuned version of Maserati’s own 3.0-liter twin-turbo Nettuno V6. This is a raw, performance-focused engine inspired by Formula 1, bringing patented pre-chamber combustion technology that makes the ride smoother and more efficient.
The Modena V6 produces up to 385 horsepower and 368 lb-ft. of torque, and you may be thinking, “Wait, isn’t that less than the Trofeo’s 523 hp Nettuno engine? What gives, Maserati?” But not everything is about the amount of horsepower. As someone who drives an ’06 Lotus Elise, I can tell you that confidently. Instead, the Grecale Modena V6 is focused on the responsiveness it has at low revs, making this SUV insanely smooth while commuting to work or after-school activities.
But screw it, we’re not just here to tell you that the Grecale Modena V6 has improved fuel consumption and creates a relaxing commute. Similar to the Porsche Macan, the Modena V6 could also be taken to the track. It reaches 60 mph in 5 seconds and has a top speed of 160 miles per hour, paired with all-wheel drive and a rear electronic limited-slip differential to decrease traction. The ZF 8HP75 gearbox provides lightning-fast shifts that feel seamless and effortlessly aggressive. Just turn on the GT or Sport driving mode, and you can haul some bumper on a spirited canyon drive or weekend track day.
Some drivers swear by the Grecale, claiming it handles turns better than the Macan. Hagerty did its own SUV drag race (for some reason), and the Modena Trofeo performed better than the Macan.
Luxurious, Italian craftsmanship inside and out
Okay, I’m sure most people reading this are not debating between a Grecale Modena V6 and a Macan for their next drag race. But I think the Grecale Modena V6 pulls ahead of the Macan in appearance as well. In this years-long debate, drivers have often said that the Grecale has a flashier look than the Macan; plus, it’s rarer, so it stands out and turns heads on that alone.
The Maserati Grecale Modena V6 features the bold Trident styling that drivers expect, including 21-inch wheels and a quad-exhaust system with sport valves. And if we watn to be less specific, I think it just look super clean and sporty. It almost makes me want an SUV. Almost. The clean, dramatic lines give it an aerodynamic look despite being around 4,200 pounds. While most SUVs look rotund and safe, the Grecale Modena V6 looks hungry. Seeing this thing bullying a Miata on the track would almost be more terrifying than a scene from Jaws.
Inside, there is plenty of premium leather, adjustable seats, wood trim, and ambient lighting to play up that “relaxed commute” aspect. The features are just as plentiful, like the countless touchscreens all over the place, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 14 speakers producing 860 watts, and driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, and lane keeping assist. I think Macan supporters felt they had the upper hand when it came to comfort and luxury, but that gap is closing fast.
The Grecale Modena V6 is arriving at Maserati retailers across the United States, starting at $84,500. This may be where the Macan pulls ahead by quite a bit, unless you’re in the market for a nearly six-figure SUV that allows you to zone out in some ambient lighting and bass-heavy meditation music while picking the kids up from school.
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