Jim Butler Maserati

Apr 3, 2024

Enjoying our brand’s rich persona and luster is an ideal spring treat here at Jim Butler Maserati of St Louis, and the Grecale Trofeo is front and center along with the budding trees and green grass! The writers from The Drive thrive on searching out a car’s living and breathing personality, and this past week took a close look at this lovely 5-seater. The Grecale comes in the GT, Modena, and Trofeo trims, with this Trofeo coming fantastically equipped with the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged Nettuno engine.

Still ferocious and track-worthy but now exploring its domesticated side, the Nettuno struck writer Nico Dematta as flaunting exciting design right off the bat. Immediately remarking that the Grecale can “take on the best in the world”. The Grecale is built on a modified version of the Giorgio platform, which is shared with the Stelvio and Giulia. It comes in immediately visually swinging with an aesthetic that is a bit larger, boasting a longer wheelbase and more interior room. 

Once inside, the cabin is striking with undeniable upper-end charm; sophistication that only Italian craftsmanship can evoke. The leather boasts a lavish quality that conjured up mental images of first-class flying’s glory days, while the carbon fiber trim offered an alluring and exotic touch. Here Nico excitedly elaborates on the vehicle’s glowing individuality, and how it is “delightfully unlike anything German, Japanese, or American.” The engine is wholeheartedly the star of the show, as foregoing a V8 was undoubtedly the right choice. 

Even though the V8 is heralded for being “sensational” and emitting a world-class sound symphony, the Nettuno powertrain has a character delightfully and impeccably all its own. It cranks out 523 horsepower and 457 lb-ft of torque and while tasked with the duty of powering such a high-end metallic creature, is still very mechanical and lightly salted with anger! It works perfectly in conjunction with the ZF 8-speed automatic, which is controlled by some very sweet metal pedals that are borrowed straight from the Alfa Romeo pack. 

After driving the Grecale Trofeo for just two minutes, it was evident that its special qualities blew anything else nipping its heels directly and astutely out of the water! The steering proved to be not at all like anything else this expert drive tester had ever had his hands on, with a front end that was a bit unpredictable, but edgy and enjoyable out on the open pavement. The bite from the front tires puts the car nearly into blissful and globe-dominating supercar territory, with an on-center steering weight that builds up precisely as you gradually add lock and consistently lurch forward. 

The Skyhook suspension and air shocks are tuned for an unparalleled blend of nimble handling and ride comfort, and things feel mighty and rock-solid at high speed. The XXL Brembo brakes have a distinctly hard bite directly at the top, with a beyond textbook-perfect linear pressure buildup as you make your way further down. As this skilled writer allowed his wife to join in on the test drive excitement, she claimed that the Grecale provided more overall room for her to sprawl out and feel comfortable than her first-generation Honda Pilot. If you have already decided on a performance SUV you love every bit of spirited driving adventures, and the Grecale Trofeo serves up unbridled excellence at every monumental mile!