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It is not just the fierce sense of rivalry that inspires the 2023 Maserati Grecale’s legendary design elements and performance: Grecale is the Italian word for “Greek Wind”, celebrating the tranquil and inspiring breezes derived from some of the world’s most beautiful and tranquil islands. The new Grecale is both smaller and less costly than the very first SUV we released in the form of the Levante, which officially launched in 2016. The Grecale is composed of three different trim levels, beginning with the fuel-efficient 4-cylinder GT and ending with the “all-stops pulled out” appeal of the Trofeo, sporting a 523-horsepower V6 engine. Later in 2023, there are now official plans to release an all-electric variant by the name of the Folgore. Translated into the ferocious and lethally powerful meaning of “lightning”, the Grecale remains a stunning and influential choice no matter which variety you select. For years Maserati has amazed the most proficient of car enthusiasts by delivering fully on the promise of providing startling stats and design, and the 2023 Grecale blasts off fantastically to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds. You’ll be screeching past onlookers and any other less than ordinary facet of daily life you’re eager to leave behind with a top speed of 177 mph, and as you careen by everyone will take notice of the characteristically low grille stamped with the familiar Maserati Trident front and center. From the side view, the Grecale’s trademark boomerang rear taillights and carbon-fiber rear diffuser round off the look perfectly, easily avoiding the pitfall of being mistaken for a mainstream offering with rather plastic and run-of-the-mill features. It's exciting to witness the amazing prowess and flair that is so evident after decades of hard work and a wide array of precisely tuned parts as soon as you push the start/stop button, situated directly on the steering wheel, and inspired by supercar great Ferrari. This new Grecale model sees the introduction of Maserati’s very first digital clock, which also has a chronometer, G-force meter, compass, and a very cool variety of different watch faces that you can select for display. You can also conveniently now use voice commands to adjust interior elements such as climate control, and destination input. On top of the 12.3-inch instrument cluster, you’ll also be selecting from two touch screens in the center stack: one is where you find all the pertinent navigation, tunes, and vehicle settings, while the other is a smaller 8.8-inch model where you access climate control. Some aficionados had once claimed that Maserati was a bit lacking in the infotainment department, but these quickly responding screens and well-organized layout provide the perfect contrast on either side of the shift buttons situated between the two. With characteristics such as “leather that looks sourced from a gorgeous Italian handbag” and well-defined bundle of reasonably attainable high hopes, the Grecale is poised to be the mid-sized SUV of the discerning driver with a love for every single thrilling curve in the road!

As the changing of seasons is coming close once again and we take the time to look back at Maserati's illustrious history here at Jim Butler Maserati of St. Louis, it was more than 100 years ago when two brothers set out to lay the groundwork for such a high-performing and memorable line of cars. Even if the hard-working duo could envision the company still thriving in 2022, they could never imagine the caliber and intricate candor of vehicles now being built. The Forbes automotive experts recently took the Maserati Levante Trofeo for a lengthy test drive, and picked the very scenic northern Michigan for the location. The 197.6-inch-long Levante takes up residence in a category that has become more populated over the past two decades, with brands jumping in on the action that no one would have previously thought would be there. Even Ferrari will still soon add to the roster of high-end brands that have jumped on the crossover SUV bandwagon, and so many experts and diehard enthusiasts are wondering what sets the Levante apart from the competition. The overall design style has been breathed into the Levante well, with the addition of a bolder-shaped grille and rear glass with a characteristic forward slope. Every trim level now also features the presence of twin-turbocharged engines sourced from the supercar genius-level known as Ferrari, with the GT and Modena getting V6s with 345 of 424 horsepower. The Modena S brandishes 550-horsepower from a 3.8-liter V8, while the high-presiding and sensationally performing Trofeo doles out 580 horsepower and 538 lb-ft of torque. This engine also asserts its all-around superiority with a pair of twin-scroll turbos and a separate intercooler that provides a higher threshold of peak power and overall responsiveness. Each of these models offers All-wheel-drive as standard, and is mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The driving modes on the Trofeo are normal, I.C.E., off-road, and Corsa. The off-road mode kicks in and lifts the body up a couple of inches, and the Trofeo variant also comes with 380-mm diameter cross-drilled rotors and six-piston calipers on the front. We must give the Forbes crew massive props for recognizing that taking advantage of those who have long been established in northern Italy’s region’s skills at craftsmanship is one of the most rewarding opportunities in the modern auto world: grave attention to detail and longstanding quality is evident at each mile marker. Paint selections are applied entirely by hand in three different coats, then the final layer is a red-tinted form of glossy clear coat. We’d have to fully recommend the Corsa drive mode to savor the characteristic crackle and throaty growl these engines have always been known for.