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2023 Maserati Grecale starts taking off its camouflage

Maserati is still working on bringing the Grecale, its long-awaited entry-level SUV, to production. With a little over a month to go before the model's unveiling, the Italian company released a batch of preview images that give us the best look yet at the next addition to its lineup. The prototype depicted in the images wears a black and white wrap that previews some of the Grecale's specifications and features, like the amount of storage space and leg room available in the cabin. Key figures remain under wraps, they're replaced by asterisks, and a message written on the wrap lets the Grecale tell on-lookers that it "can't tell you much more" about what's underneath. The photos are telling, though. While previous images released by Maserati hid the SUV's finer design details, the latest batch shows the grille, headlights, some exterior trim pieces and cool-looking wheels with trident-shaped spokes that echo the firm's logo. Its profile is reminiscent of the Levante's in the sense that it unmistakably leans towards the sporty side of the SUV scale thanks to styling cues like a rakish roof line, though its rear wheel arches look less pronounced. Up front, it's a different story: the headlights are more rounded and positioned above the grille. Out back, we spot horizontal lights connected by a piece of trim (or a well-hidden light bar) and four exhaust outlets. All told, the Grecale falls in line with Maserati's design language without blatantly copying the Levante. Its interior remains hidden for the time being, however. Nothing is official yet, but earlier reports claim that the Grecale will ride on a version of the Giorgio platform that underpins several members of the Alfa Romeo range, including the Stelvio and the Giulia. If that's accurate, rear-wheel-drive will likely come standard (at least in some markets) and all-wheel-drive will be available as well. We know that a high-performance Trofeo version will ultimately join the range. Aimed directly at the Porsche Macan, the 2023 Maserati Grecale will make its debut on March 22. Production will start shortly after. Related video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Maserati Grecale announced as new compact crossover set to debut next year

Maserati is on a roll right now, and the Italian brand has just teased another new model: Grecale. Judging by the silhouette (and the information Maserati provided), it’s a smaller SUV than the Levante. Think Porsche Macan or BMW X3 size. Its stubby nose, small body and short overhangs all make it appear much smaller. The name “Grecale” is derived from the name for the north-east wind from the Mediterranean Sea. It seems Â…. fine. It sounds a lot better if you say it with Italian pronunciation, as opposed to an American gre-kale. Naming the Grecale after a wind is normal for Maserati. The Mistral, Ghibli, Levante, Bora, Merak and Khamsin are all named after famous winds, too. One final detail Maserati provided is the most telling of all, though. ItÂ’ll be built at FCAÂ’s Cassino, Italy, plant, which is the current home of Giulia and Stelvio production. The takeaway here is that itÂ’ll be a Stelvio-based crossover riding on the Giorgio platform. From a performance standpoint, that is fantastic. The Stelvio Quadrifoglio is one of the best-driving crossovers in the world, and a Maserati version of this car sounds like a recipe for success. WeÂ’re not sure how much the two will share at this stage, but now that Maserati has a firecracker of a V6 with the Nettuno, it can use its own engine for propulsion. Maserati claims the “Grecale is destined to play a leading role for the brand,” so weÂ’re expecting to be impressed when it debuts. ThereÂ’s more than just the Grecale to look at here, though. Maserati also flashed a silhouette of the next Gran Turismo that is coming in 2021. Most of it is left to our imagination, but weÂ’re happy to see Maserati is revamping its whole lineup. The Grecale is truly the big news of the day, especially since crossovers continue to be a seriously hot commodity. Watch out for a debut next year sometime. Related Video:

The new Lotus Evora GT430 Sport is quicker with an automatic

Few automakers exploit platform variants as much as lotus. The company has four models, one of which is essentially a hardtop version of another. The Lotus Evora 400 sits atop the range, and since its debut last year we've seen the Evora 410, Evora 410 GP Edition and the Evora GT430. Today, the British automaker announced the Evora GT430 Sport, essentially a less hardcore but nearly as capable version of the GT430. The two biggest differences are the non-limited availability and the available six-speed automatic transmission. All 60 examples of the GT430 were only available with a manual. Both cars use the same 3.5-liter V6 topped with an Edelbrock supercharger that's good for 430 horsepower. Manual models make 325 lb-ft of torque, while automatic-equipped cars make 332 lb-ft. Despite a 24-pound penalty, the GT430 Sport automatic hits 60 mph in 3.6 seconds, a tenth quicker than the manual. While gearing in the automatic limits top speed to 170 mph, manual models can reach 196 mph. That makes this the fastest road-going Lotus ever. No matter which one you choose, the GT430 comes with Ohlins TTX two-way adjustable dampers, slotted and ventilated brake discs with AP Racing four-piston calipers, a Torsen-type limited slip differential and an adjustable traction control system. The front and rear bumpers, front access panel, roof panel, rear quarter panels and one-piece louvered tailgate and spoiler are all made of carbon fiber. The non-Sport GT430 adds a carbon fiber front splitter, rear wing, louvered wheel arches and a wider set of wheels and tires. The carbon fiber theme continues inside. The seats, door sills and parts of the instrument cluster are all made of the lightweight material. Most of the rest of the interior is trimmed in leather and black Alcantara. At $136,000, the new GT430 Sport undercuts the limited-run model by about $11,000. There's no word on if the car will make it here to the U.S. Hopefully Lotus' new parent company will keep the ball rolling. Related Video: