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Maserati’s New Grecale SUV Arrives In The UAE
The Italian car maker’s premium all-wheel drive vehicle boasts a wide selection of options and configurations.
Maserati’s new SUV — the Grecale — offers multiple engine types and capacities, from powerful internal combustion powertrains to hybrids. The premium Italian vehicles offer first-class driving dynamics and feature eight-speed automatic transmissions, all-wheel drive, and a variety of selectable drive modes, including Comfort, GT, Sport, Corsa, and Off-Road.
In the near future, a full-electric version of the Grecale will be released, known as the Folgore. However, at present, three models of the Grecale will be available in UAE showrooms:
- The GT, powered by a four-cylinder engine with mild hybrid assistance delivering 300 horsepower.
- The Modena, boasting a more powerful 330hp hybrid engine.
- The Trofeo, a high-performance model featuring a 3.0L,530hp (petrol) V6 based on the unit fitted to the Maserati MC20.
Jad Elias, Vice President of Maserati, Al Tayer Motors, said: “We are really excited to hand over the first batch of the all-new Grecale vehicles to our customers. We are sure they will enjoy the exceptional driving experience offered by this sporty, stylish, and compact SUV and look forward to seeing them in growing numbers on our roads soon”.
Hamdy Elshantoury, General Manager of Maserati Middle East & Africa, was equally excited at the arrival of the Grecale: “Maserati continues to accelerate audaciously into a brave new future with revolutionary new cars, innovations, and exclusive projects. The all-new Grecale SUV embodies Maserati’s all-Italian audacity in making luxury and exceptional performance part of the daily routine, transforming every journey into a unique driving experience”.
Also Read: Futuristic Electric Self-Driving Trucks Are Coming To The UAE
The new Maserati SUV will be available from Al Tayer Motors and Premier Motors and comes with a three-year, unlimited kilometer warranty and a three year or 45,000 kilometer service package, which extends to 60,000 kilometers on the Trofeo.
News
Checkout.com Set To Launch Card Issuing In The UAE
The payment service provider’s expansion is a first-of-its-kind investment and could reshape digital transactions across the region.
Checkout.com is laying the groundwork to become the first global payments platform to introduce card issuing in the United Arab Emirates — a move that could reshape how businesses in the region manage financial transactions.
The company plans to roll out its domestic card issuance offering in the UAE by 2026, subject to regulatory approval. The launch would give businesses the tools to issue both physical and virtual branded cards. This, in turn, opens up new ways to reward customers, streamline expense processes, and handle B2B payouts efficiently.
Checkout.com’s CEO and Founder, Guillaume Pousaz, revealed the plans during Thrive Abu Dhabi, the firm’s debut conference in the Emirates. Joined on stage by Remo Giovanni Abbondandolo, General Manager for MENA, Pousaz presented to an audience of over 150 partners and merchants at Saadiyat Island. Also in attendance was H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, the UAE’s Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications.
Abbondandolo highlighted the strategic importance of the announcement: “As a global business, we focus on bringing products to markets that our customers want and need. Today’s announcement is proof of our commitment to the MENA region and its rising influence in the digital economy. The appetite for innovation here is real, and we’re proud to be building the infrastructure that powers it”.
One early adopter of Checkout.com’s UAE acquiring services is Headout, a travel experiences marketplace, which recently named the payment provider as its main partner in Europe. The company has already begun card issuing there and is keen to expand that offering into MENA once approval is granted.
The expansion of services in the UAE and beyond builds on Checkout.com’s track record in the region. It was the first global payments firm to secure a Retail Payment Services license from the UAE’s Central Bank and was instrumental in rolling out Mada and Apple Pay in both the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Also Read: Protecting Your WhatsApp Account From Hackers: Kaspersky Expert Tips
The firm has also been rolling out new products: One of the latest is Flow Remember Me, currently in beta testing. It allows shoppers to store their card information once and access it across Checkout.com’s entire network, potentially cutting checkout times by up to 70%.
Earlier this year, Checkout.com also introduced Visa Direct’s Push-to-Card solution in the UAE, enabling both domestic and international payouts. Its collaboration with Mastercard has grown as well, making it easier for businesses to send funds directly to third-party cards securely and quickly.
With regional tech ambitions on the rise — spurred by initiatives like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the UAE’s 2031 Agenda — Checkout.com sees its role as one of a key enabler. “Our mission is to help ambitious businesses navigate the complexity of payments, so they can move faster, go further, and make the most of every opportunity,” said Abbondandolo. “In MENA, performance is personal. It’s local. It’s built on trust. And when payments perform, businesses thrive”.
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