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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 GT2 turns the MC20 into a real race car

Maserati previewed a racing version of the MC20 super car last year, and now it's finally showing the real thing. The car has dropped the MC20 name altogether, becoming just the Maserati GT2. That's a bit odd, considering it's still an MC20 at its core, but regardless, the race car is still pretty sweet. Significant exterior changes have been made to become a GT2 race car. Vents, louvres and intakes are all over and much larger. It's all in service of increased downforce, as well as increased cooling. And besides adding more holes, the GT2 features a flat undercarriage, bigger diffuser and a giant adjustable rear wing. The carbon fiber chassis is the same as the MC20, and it continues to use double-wishbone suspension front and rear. But geometry has been updated, and it uses unique shocks, springs and anti-roll bars. And of course, they're all adjustable. Stopping power is provided by six-piston front calipers, four-piston rears, and ventilated steel rotors. The engine is also pretty much what you would expect in a regular MC20, and Maserati even quotes the same 621 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque. But the output of the twin-turbo Nettuno V6 can be adjusted based on balance of performance needs for races. It also is capable of greater overall boost pressure and reduced back pressure in the opened-up exhaust. It does ditch the eight-speed automatic in favor of a six-speed sequential manual transmission, plus a competition-ready limited-slip differential. The interior is expectedly gutted. In place of the more luxurious MC20 cockpit, the GT2 gets race-spec seats, a multifunction steering wheel and control stack and a screen for instruments. It also has a roll cage and six-point racing harness. While many niceties are gone, the GT2 does still have air conditioning. Maserati will be offering the GT2 to professional racing teams for regular competition and private owners for track and occasional racing use. The company expects the car to start appearing in the Fanatec GT2 European Series this year, with full-year competition starting next year. Related Video:

High school design students sketch out FCA's 'ultimate status vehicle'

Each year since 2013, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) hosts a design contest for high school students called Drive for Design intended to educate and encourage automotive career hopefuls. For 2019, FCA prompted 10th, 11th, and 12th graders to imagine the "ultimate status vehicle." The top three choices include two Alfa Romeos and a Maserati. FCA named first, second, and third places in the contest. Maximillian Cooper (lead image) from Design and Architecture Senior High in Miami won first place. Mason Ross (first inline image) from Kennedy Catholic High School in Burien, Wash., took second. Vincent Piaskowski (Maserati image) from Ernest W. Seaholm High School in Birmingham, Mich., placed third. The three winners of the contest will be awarded with numerous valuable prizes. They will get behind-the-scenes tours at the FCA U.S. Product Design studios, as well as mentoring time with some of FCA's designers. They will also get scholarships to attend the Precollege Summer Experience Transportation Design program at the College for Creative Studies. Lastly, they'll have the honor of serving as junior judges at the EyesOn Design Car Show. Although each sketch has a unique look, all three take the same approach: cab-forward, bubble-top supercar coupes with dramatic lines and curves. Piaskowski's shows direct inspiration from a shark, but we wouldn't be surprised if all three students have special places in their hearts for the Pininfarina Maserati Birdcage Concept.