The Maserati Grecale, which is the Italian brand's rival to the likes of the Porsche Macan, was originally set to make its debut in November 2021. Unfortunately, like all other automakers, Maserati was affected by the ongoing chip shortage. After all, you wouldn't want your luxury Italian SUV to come with missing features, right?

So to take advantage of the pushback in release date, Maserati is putting the Grecale to further testing before it's unveiled to the public this spring. The prototype was driven in the frigid conditions of Sweden for winter testing. The Grecale was driven through a mix of snow, ice, and tarmac, with temperatures dipping to as low as -22 degrees Fahrenheit in Lapland.

Maserati says that tests were also carried out to fine-tune the car's traction, understeer and oversteer in different drive modes and with varying sizes and types of wheels, to specifically characterize each of the driving modes on offer.

While these photos showcase a camouflaged exterior, Maserati still thought it wasn't a good idea to show what the interior looks like. Thankfully, our spy photographers were able to capture the interior of a prototype just a few days ago, showcasing its horizontal dashboard design and dual-screen infotainment layout.

As for its exterior, the heavily camouflaged prototypes do reveal a few unique details about this SUV, such as the Maserati MC20-esque headlights, slim LED taillights that are similar to the refreshed Ghibli, and front fenders that are higher than the car's hood. The Grecale will also be built on the same Giorgio platform as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio, albeit a slightly shortened one.

In terms of engines, the Grecale will most likely share powerplants from its Alfa Romeo sibling, which means it should get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine that will deliver a total of 280 horsepower and 306 pound-feet of torque. A Trofeo version will also be offered, most likely with the same 2.9-liter V-6 engine that produces 505 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque as the Stelvio Quadrifoglio.

For now, take a gander at these photos as we get to learn more details about the Maserati Grecale as the launch date draws nearer.