DOES IT REALLY HAVE THE MC20’S ENGINE?

While Maserati is keen to point out that the Grecale Trofeo shares its V6 with the MC20, there are some subtle differences. Not only is the SUV’S engine less powerful (523bhp plays 621bhp), but it also has a wet, rather than dry, sump.

A further concession to its more workaday existence is its ability to shut down the right cylinder bank on light throttle openings to save fuel. It sounds fairly simple, but Maserati insists that it required the design of a whole new head for the engine, complete with revised valve gear and oil pathways.

However, the novel, allegedly Formula 1-inspired pre-combustion system is retained. The two-stage process, which boosts both power and efficiency, requires a pair of fuel-injection systems and double spark plugs per cylinder.