by A Difficult Period for Maserati
Maserati is going through a tough time: the brand’s sales fell from 51,500 cars in 2017 to just 7,900 last year across the entire model line. For comparison, Porsche also showed a decline in 2025, but to 279,449 vehicles, with over 84,000 of those accounted for by the Macan model alone.
An Open Opportunity for the Italian Brand
Now Porsche has made a misstep, giving Maserati a chance to improve its performance thanks to the updated version of the Grecale, the Italian counterpart to the Macan. Fresh spy photos show that Maserati is already working on updates for both variants of its smallest SUV—the ICE and the electric Folgore. These updated models are likely to become 2027 model year cars.
Porsche sold more cars in 11 days than Maserati did in an entire year.
Why the Disappearance of the Macan is an Opportunity
What exactly is this open opportunity that Porsche has gifted Maserati? It’s about discontinuing the internal combustion engine Macan. This SUV is already off sale in continental Europe due to non-compliance with European cybersecurity regulations, and although it is still temporarily available in other markets, production will cease this summer.
The electric Macan EV, which Porsche envisioned as a full replacement for the ICE version, will remain available, but not all buyers want it. In the first quarter of this year, Porsche sold 18,209 Macan vehicles with various powertrain types, but only 8,079 of them were electric. The Stuttgart team has already realized the mistake of discontinuing one of its most popular models and has given the green light for a new ICE Macan, which they initially did not plan. However, it will only appear in 2028.
The Task for Maserati
This situation opens up a small opportunity for Maserati—if parent company Stellantis does not decide to cut its losses—to increase sales of the Grecale, which, unlike the Macan, is still available in both ICE and electric powertrain versions.
The camouflage on the front end of both the white ICE prototype and the gray Folgore EV indicates very minor changes to the front. It can be seen that the shape of the lower bumper has changed. No changes are visible yet to the headlights or the uncamouflaged rear, but some modifications may appear on later prototypes closer to launch.
Interior and Driving Impressions
One of the interior shots shows that Maserati does not plan major updates for the dashboard. The upper navigation screen and the lower climate control screen are still separated by a panel of gear selector buttons. The handling impressions and interior quality of the current Grecale are positive, but there is less enthusiasm for the lack of physical switches, the feel of the brake pedal, and the sound of the four-cylinder engine.
2026 Updates and Expectations
It is not yet known what changes Maserati is preparing for the updated cars under the hood, but it would not be a surprise if the power of the electric Folgore version (currently 550 hp) is increased. Improvements to the range, which is 275 miles (443 km) according to the EPA standard, can also be expected. For the 2026 models, this figure was already increased by 30 miles (48 km) thanks to a new all-wheel-drive disconnect function.
Also for 2026, Maserati dropped the unpopular 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine in base and mid-level trims for the US market, replacing it with a version of its proprietary 3.0-liter bi-turbo V6 Nettuno engine producing 385 hp. The top Trofeo model received the same powertrain but with 523 hp.
Summary and Context
The absence of the Macan from the market will not change Maserati’s fate drastically, but for the brand’s survival, it is critically important to make the most of the advantage that Porsche has given it. The history of recent years shows that the premium market is extremely competitive, and success depends not only on the product but also on a precise understanding of market moments. While Porsche prepares its response, Maserati has a few years to strengthen its position and offer a compelling proposition to customers looking for an alternative. The success of this update could be an important signal about the brand’s viability in the new reality, where electrification and the preservation of traditional engines go hand in hand.
