The new Maserati Grecale seen in analogue

It is often said that uniqueness always travels against the grain and seeing Klaus Busse (Head of Design Maserati) designing the livery of the Maserati Grecale on the apron of multi-star Italian chef Massimiliano Alajmo, one wonders if this is indeed the case. Our journey begins in an unusual location, under the imposing teardrop-shaped chandelier of the Villoresi Autogrill, built in 1958 on the initiative of the Pavesi company and designed by architect Angelo Bianchetti, and which has become the Italian restaurant par excellence. The American magazine 'Life' called it 'an expression of Italian luxury' for its interior, its circular and aerodynamic shape, but after a light and delicate lunch I go outside, under the large white pyramid-shaped scaffolding topped by a dome with rounded tips.

Awaiting us are about six Grecales, the new SUV from the Bologna-based carmaker, so much so that some passers-by begin to look at us strangely, but there is no time for eye-rolling and, after a brief brief with some of the mechanics to explain the workings of this jewel of Italian industry, our solo tour of south-east Milan begins, with only the navigator already preset and the right playlist that a good driver, as far as I am concerned, should always have. Needless to say, once you've turned everything on and put on your seatbelt, you have the impression of being inside a cloud decorated with sculpted lines that blend essential design elements with a bold, futuristic dimension. The steering wheel-mounted gearstick, the versatility of all the accessories, the natural leather, the carbon-fibre and wood interiors make it a dynamic car with impressive performance on the road.

All in all I will be lucky because of the three models available, GT, Modena and Trofeo, I will be reserved for the latter, which is extremely fast and equipped with a 530 bhp V6 derived from the MC20's Nettuno engine. Although at the end of our day we did get a glimpse of a preview of the latest creation in the Grecale range which will be arriving in a Full Electric version in the future.

In the city, the Trofeo obviously does not go unnoticed, from the glances of passers-by stopped at traffic lights to the queued up motorists. In addition to the heritage that bears the Italian trident, the Maserati Grecale also stands out for its purity of form but without any ostentation. It is a car where every function, even the smallest, expresses an emotion, like the special sounds created by Dardust.

My itinerary takes me outside Milan to the Borromeo Castle, a unique farmhouse built in the 15th century, to take a few photos. Then begins the second part of the journey back aboard the new Maserati model, a car unlike any other produced in the history of the Italian company and designed to be used on a daily basis, something that is noticeable even after leaving the motorway as I drive through the busy streets of Milan. A new paradigm of luxury made up of tradition, innovation and concreteness that has completely revolutionised the imagery of the trident, which has always focused on speed, but with the Grecale has been able to break every mould. A unique experience, that's what I tell myself as I lower the laminated windows that guarantee optimum sound absorption, turn up the volume and reluctantly return to my pre-set destination.