Maserati Unveils Its Electric GranTurismo Folgore Sports Car

GranTurismo Folgore: The first all-electric Maserati grand touring sports car has arrived.  

Maserati has unveiled the GranTurismo Folgore, one of three versions of the maker’s new all-wheel drive four-seater introduced for 2023. At the same event, Maserati also introduced the Modena (490 horsepower on a 3.0 liter V6 Nettuno twin turbo) and the high-performance Trofeo variant with the same engine boosted up to 550 horsepower. A Maserati executive described the electric GT as “the same body wearing a different suit” to illustrate the relationship between the new models. 

Earlier this year, Stellantis-owned Maserati announced its first EV, the Grecale Folgore. While the Grecale Folgore isn’t expected until 2023, Maserati is wasting no time filling out its EV roster with the introduction of GranTurismo Folgore, the next electrified model to join the Folgore electric lineup.

An Electric GT from the House of the Trident

The Folgore GT (which is Italian for “lightning”) will electrify the revived GranTurismo line with an 800-volt battery-electric system. The 92.5 kWh battery powers a three-motor setup that sends a combined 760 horsepower to the wheels.

The battery pack resides in a T-bone shape along the bottom of the vehicle, unlike the familiar skateboard layout seen in other EVs. This gives the all-wheel drive car a low center of gravity but allows it to maintain a sports car design. It also lets the car sit low with an overall maximum height of 53.2 inches, a rarity for battery-powered vehicles.

The battery will provide 280 miles of range and is fast-charging (up to 270 kW) compatible, adding a claimed 60 miles of charge in 5 minutes in ideal conditions. 

Driving an Electric GT 

The Folgore is the fastest of the three new GTs, but at 4,982 pounds also the heaviest. (The battery alone accounts for 1,300 of those pounds.) Nevertheless, Maserati claims the Folgore GT will be the fastest all-electric luxury option with 2.7-second acceleration to reach 60 mph and 8.8 seconds to 120 mph. The top speed is nearly 200 mph. 

The most similar EV is the Porsche Taycan with a 225-mile range on a similarly sized battery. The Taycan sits taller and only reaches 482 horsepower but weighs close to the same as the GranTurismo Folgore. The 4S version takes 3.8 seconds to get to 60 mph.

The “Vehicle Domain Control Module” brings four driving modes: Max Range (for the Folgore) or Comfort, GT, Sport and the sportiest Corsa. The VDCM is essentially the car’s brain and controls the energy, torque and vertical dynamics.

Different regeneration modes will be employed to recuperate energy while driving. 

Sitting in Luxury

With seating for two up front and two in the back, the Folgore GT purports to be made for “real people,” even in the back seat, quite the feat for most sports cars. High-quality materials, including leather, wood and carbon fiber, are used throughout the cabin to make it suitable for longer rides.

A 19-speaker Sonus Faber sound system brings a 360-degree sound experience, while the 18-way adjustable electric seats with heating and ventilation bring comfort to the driver. A complement of four screens includes a 12.3 driver’s cluster, a 12.3-inch center touchscreen, 1.6-inch smart digital clock and 8.8-inch touch display for the climate controls. There’s also a head-up display and Amazon Alexa voice-based assistance. In addition, it connects to cellphones seamlessly with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Upfront, there’s no front trunk, or “frunk,” even though there’s no engine in the Folgore. The back only has 9.5 cubic-feet of space, less than the GT’s Modena and Trofeo models’ 10.9 cubes. The Taycan feels monstrous in comparison, with 15.8 cubic-feet behind the backseat.

How Much will the Folgore Cost? When will it be Available?

The Folgore is expected in the U.S. by September 2023, while the Modena and Trofeo should arrive in March. 

The three GranTurismos will range from $170,000 to $215,000, but pricing is not yet finalized. The Folgore is expected to be closer to $200,000. 

A specialized 75th Anniversary Launch Edition (to commemorate 75 years since the first GranTurismo) will be available with 300 units total in four different configurations: Trofeo with Grigio Lamiera Matte or Dark Matte exterior and the electric Folgore with Copper Glance or Blue Stradale.