Six Cylinders Are Cool Again
With emissions regulations beginning to ease in certain markets, some automakers are reversing course and returning to larger-displacement engines. Mercedes-Benz, for example, is reportedly preparing to drop the much-criticized inline-four hybrid setup used in the C63 in favor of a more traditional inline-six. Maserati now appears to be following a similar path, having discontinued its turbocharged four-cylinder engine in favor of a V6 for the 2026 Grecale.
The V6 in question is Maserati’s 3.0-liter twin-turbo Nettuno engine, a powertrain originally developed to power the MC20, as well as the new MCPura, in its battle against rivals such as the Ferrari 296 GTB and McLaren Artura. The engine in the Grecale Modena, however, has been detuned to produce 385 horsepower, which is 137 less than the more potent version found in the range-topping Grecale Trofeo.
The Strategy Shift
Nevertheless, the new V6 still represents a clear step up from the outgoing 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four mild-hybrid engine, which, depending on trim, delivered either 296 or 325 horsepower. Meanwhile, the Grecale Trofeo carries over unchanged for the 2026 model year.
Positioned against rivals such as the BMW X3 and the Porsche Macan, the Maserati Grecale features an 8-speed ZF automatic transmission and all-wheel drive (AWD) across the entire lineup. With this configuration, the Grecale Modena accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 5.0 seconds, while the Trofeo completes the same sprint 1.4 seconds quicker.
While Maserati and Mercedes-Benz experimented with downsized, greener four-cylinder powertrains, not all automakers embraced the trend. BMW, for instance, largely resisted the shift by retaining its inline-six engines in performance-focused M models such as the M3 and M4.
Refocused on Performance
On the electrified side of the lineup, the all-electric Maserati Grecale Folgore reportedly gains an additional 30 miles of range thanks to a new all-wheel-drive disconnect feature, bringing its estimated total to 275 miles. The Folgore uses a dual-motor setup to generate 542 horsepower and 604 lb-ft of torque, allowing it to sprint from zero to 60 mph in around 4.0 seconds, roughly matching the Genesis GV60 Performance.
In the U.S., the Grecale Modena equipped with the detuned V6 starts at approximately $84,500, making it notably more affordable than the outgoing four-cylinder hybrid variants. The higher-performance Grecale Trofeo begins at $117,500, while the all-electric Grecale Folgore sits slightly higher at roughly $119,900.
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