There are few places better suited to the spirit of Maserati than Trieste. Set between the shimmering Adriatic Sea and the rugged landscape of the Karst, the Italian city exists at a fascinating crossroads of cultures, architecture and history. It was here that L’Officiel Arabia joined Maserati for an exclusive driving experience, exploring the latest GranTurismo, GranCabrio and Grecale across some of the region’s most spectacular roads. We were offered a glimpse into Maserati's evolving interpretation of luxury
For Maserati, the choice of Trieste was more than simply a beautiful backdrop. The city has a deep connection with the marque’s motorsport heritage, particularly through the legendary Trieste-Opicina hill climb, which ran from 1911 to 1971. Known as the “Uphill Monza”, the historic route attracted some of Europe’s greatest racing drivers, with Maserati claiming victories in 1955, 1957 and 1960.
Our base for the experience was the elegant Savoia Excelsior Palace Trieste, a grand hotel overlooking the Adriatic and ideally positioned to experience the city. Its historic character and refined atmosphere provided a fitting introduction to a journey centred on Italian design, craftsmanship and performance.Trieste itself is unlike many of Italy’s more familiar destinations. Its architecture and atmosphere reflect its position between Central Europe and the Mediterranean, with elegant Austro-Hungarian influences meeting the relaxed energy of the Adriatic. The city feels sophisticated without being overly polished, making it an ideal starting point for discovering the landscapes beyond its centre.
Our first route took us along the Adriatic coastline and through the Collio hills behind the wheel of the Maserati GranCabrio, offering a pure expression of open-air Italian grand touring. With its sculpted design, exhilarating performance and four-seat configuration, the GranCabrio brings together the thrill of a convertible with the comfort and refinement expected of a Maserati grand tourer.Powered by Maserati’s 3.0-litre Nettuno V6, the Trofeo delivers 590 hp and 650 Nm of torque, with motorsport-derived pre-chamber combustion technology at its core. On the fast coastal roads, the car felt composed and effortless, while the winding hillside sections revealed its more dynamic character.But it was the open-air experience that truly defined the drive. With the roof lowered and the Adriatic stretching towards the horizon, every corner, breeze and change in landscape became part of the journey. It was a quintessentially Italian interpretation of the grand tour,where performance, luxury and the freedom of the open road come together
The second route took us towards the Slovenian border and into the Karst countryside with the Grecale. Here, the character of the landscape changed dramatically, with winding roads, climbs and descents providing a natural test for Maserati’s luxury SUV.The Grecale Trofeo V6 produces 530 hp and accelerates from 0–100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds, reaching a top speed of 285 km/h.What stood out was the breadth of its abilities. The Grecale can deliver the engagement expected from a Maserati while remaining practical enough for everyday use. Its driving modes adapt to different conditions, while the cabin combines genuine materials with the technology and comfort expected of a contemporary luxury SUV.
The experience also allowed us to sample the Grecale V6 and Modena V6 versions, further demonstrating the breadth of the model's character.
Maserati's approach to luxury extends beyond what happens behind the wheel. During our time in Trieste, we were also introduced to the Fuoriserie programme, Maserati’s bespoke personalisation atelier, where clients can transform their cars into highly individual creations.This focus on craftsmanship feels particularly relevant to Maserati's identity. The cars are not simply engineered objects; they are expressions of Italian design, materiality and personal taste.Our visit also included an exclusive experience at ITS Arcademy – Museum of Art in Fashion, Italy’s first museum dedicated to contemporary fashion. The visit created an interesting connection between two worlds that share an appreciation for creativity, craftsmanship and pushing established boundaries.
Ultimately, the Maserati experience in Trieste was about much more than driving three new models. It was an exploration of what the marque describes as “Italian Gran Turismo” ,the balance between performance, elegance, craftsmanship and the freedom to travel.
From the historic streets of Trieste to the Adriatic coastline and the winding roads of the Karst, every part of the journey seemed designed around that philosophy.The GranTurismo brought together speed and long-distance luxury. The GranCabrio added the emotion of open-air driving. And the Grecale demonstrated how Maserati's performance DNA can translate into a versatile luxury SUV.Trieste provided the perfect setting: historic yet contemporary, Mediterranean yet distinctly Central European, elegant but with an adventurous edge.
