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2022 Maserati Grecale spy photos show new SUV behind Stellantis gates

Here’s our first good look at the upcoming Maserati Grecale. Maserati dropped a few shadowy and blurry images as a teaser a couple months ago, but they only provided a vague idea of what we should expect from the compact crossover. The blue camouflage theme is one consistency, and it seems the level of coverage on the car is similarly enveloping. It's deception following deception up front, as the hood features strange bulges, and the headlights look taped on. The only visible opening is a grated intake in the lower side bumper area. That said, we do have a better look at the proportions without blur or confusion. Rumors point to this crossover using the Alfa Romeo-developed Giorgio platform, despite reports of that platform not having much of a future at Stellantis. That means it should be similar in size to the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. Seeing it parked nearby a camouflaged Jeep Compass, this approximation appears to ring true. It looks like itÂ’s a bit larger than the Jeep, which is as it should be, considering the Grecale should be one class larger. Those big, wide hips are visible from the front three-quarter angle, but theyÂ’re extra dramatic from the rear. We have a feeling that the Grecale is going to look much sportier than the Levante does, and hopefully more handsome, too. The big, quad exhaust poking out the back is another big hint in that direction. All the powertrain details are still shrouded in mystery, but the likely options are a base four-cylinder turbo and a boosted V6 as the upgrade. WeÂ’ll be especially interested to see if the car launches with a Trofeo model to compete with other high-powered compact models like the Porsche Macan Turbo, BMW X3 M and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63. From the shape we can see here, it looks like the Grecale will be a traditionally-shaped crossover, albeit one with a pretty severe angle to its rear window. ThereÂ’s a fairly large hood of a rear spoiler to hang over that window, but the dominating feature out back are the horizontally-stretching rear taillights. Everything else is covered in camo, so weÂ’ll need to wait for Maserati to reveal its secrets when itÂ’s good and ready. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Fiat Chrysler's Q3 profit boosted by strong North American earnings

MILAN, Italy — Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) reported a 17 percent jump in third-quarter adjusted operating profit on Tuesday, helped by a strong performance in its key North American market and improving operations in Europe and Latin America. The world's seventh-largest carmaker still makes the lion's share of its profits in North America, so improving, or at least maintaining, its margins there is a key focus. The carmaker reported an 8 percent adjusted operating profit margin in the region, up from 7.6 percent a year ago, despite a drop in sales and shipments. "FCA's profitability in North America remained strong in the quarter despite a weakening market there," a Milan-based analyst said. FCA's profitability compares with an 8.3 percent North America margin reached in the quarter by bigger U.S. rival GM , showing CEO Sergio Marchionne making progress towards his goal of closing the margin gap with GM and the company's other U.S. rival, Ford, by 2018. The company's confirmation of its full-year outlook also pushed shares higher, a trader added. The stock was up 2.8 percent by 1129 GMT, outperforming a 1 percent rise in the European auto index. FCA has been retooling some U.S. factories to boost output of sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) and trucks while ending production of some unprofitable sedans to strengthen profitability as the U.S. car market comes off its peak. The company said a drop in North America shipments due to lower fleet sales and discontinued models was partially offset by higher deliveries of Ram trucks and two models from the Alfa Romeo stable: the Stelvio sport utility vehicle and Giulia sedan. Profitability also improved in Europe, helped by sales of the Stelvio and the new Jeep Compass, and Latin America, while margins at Maserati remained strong at 13.8 percent due to strong demand for its first SUV, the Levante. In a later conference call, investors are looking for hints on the new strategy to 2022 which the company promised to unveil early next year. Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne said earlier this year that FCA would streamline its portfolio and that components businesses, including Magneti Marelli, would be separated from the group, possibly via a spin-off. While FCA confirmed its targets this year, doubts remain about its exposure to a weakening U.S. market, recall costs and potential fines over emissions after it was targeted by European and U.S.

2022 Maserati Ghibli, Levante and Quattroporte get new trim levels

Maserati's three-car lineup soldiers into 2022 with some new trim levels for the Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans and the Levante crossover SUV. Say arrivederci to the GranLusso and GranSport nameplates and buongiorno to the new GT and Modena monikers. They join the Trofeo, which arrived last year as the top-of-the-line variant for sedans after having been introduced on the Levante in 2018. In the Ghibli, the GT is powered by the 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 making 345 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. It also gets 18-inch alloy wheels and chrome accents outside, with leather "comfort" seats and Dark Mirror trim inside. The Ghibli Modena features a 424-horsepower version of the V6 engine with 428 lb-ft. Restyled bumpers with black inserts and 20-inch wheels complete the look outside, while the interior boasts "wraparound" leather seats. The top-drawer Ghibli Trofeo returns with its Ferrari-built 580-horsepower twin-turbo 3.8-liter V8 with 538 lb-ft of torque (top speed: 203 miles per hour). The Ghibli Trofeo is also denoted by its carbon-fiber exterior trim, 21-inch wheels and red brake calipers. The Quattroporte GT uses the same 345-hp twin-turbo V6 as the Ghibli GT. The bigger sedan does upgrade to 19-inch wheels outside and what Maserati refers to as "radica" trim inside. In the Quattroporte also, the Modena again uses the 424-hp V6, rolls on 20-inch wheels and is dressed up inside with piano black accents. The Quattroporte Trofeo also rocks the 580-horse twin-turbo V8, carbon-fiber exterior, 21-inch wheels and red brake calipers. The Levante GT again uses the 345-hp V6 but deviates from the sedans with its 19-inch wheels and piano black interior accents. The Levante Modena gets the 424-hp V6, but a Levante-exclusive Modena S model swaps in a 550-hp version of the turbocharged V8. The Levante Modena S also has black exterior elements (the Nerrissimo Pack) and red calipers. The Levante Trofeo gets the full 580-horse version of the V8, again with carbon-fiber exterior trim and 21-inch wheels (with 22-inch available). Pricing has not yet been released for the 2022 Maseratis, although the cars are available to order starting July 1. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.