In 2023, Italian supercar manufacturer Maserati made a triumphant return to single-seater racing by partnering with MSG Racing in the Formula E (FE) championship. This marked not only a bid to reclaim its motorsport legacy but also a significant step in its venture into the realm of retail electric vehicles (EVs).”
Maserati introduced us to its GranTurismo Folgore, its first electric vehicle. With a powerful three-motor electric drivetrain, it packs 818 horsepower and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.7 seconds. Its travel range goes up to 450 kilometres.
Now they have launched another model, the GranCabrio Folgore, its show stopping, luxury first-ever all-electric convertible GT.
On top of that, it’s the fastest drop-top EV in the world at a top speed of 290 kmh (or 180mph), and goes 0-100kmh (62mph) in just 2.8 seconds.
Engineering Focus: Comfort and Luxury
The car’s chief engineer, Davide Danesin, says the car has more of a focus on comfort than its hard-top stablemate. Danesin is the engineering chief for the GT and Quattroporte product lines.
“The customer of GranCabrio is different from a customer of the GT. The GranCabrio customer is not usually a hard driver looking for the best performance from the car. It’s a different way to enjoy the product.
“They want a status product. They want to enjoy the free life in a good environment,” Danesin told Autocar at the launch.
Electric Powertrain and Performance
While it shares many features with its hardtop cousin, the Folgore (lightning in Italian) offers an exciting, luxurious combination of open-air motoring and electric performance.
Under the hood, it has a similar 3.0-litre V6 tri-motor powertrain, delivering power at 818 horsepower but has a new grille.
It makes use of the learnings transferred from race track to road from their multiple race-winning Formula E operation run in partnership with Maserati MSG Racing.
The GranCabrio’s impressive setup includes front and rear motors, each packing over 400 bhp.
When combined, they unleash a staggering 751 bhp and 996 lb-ft (1,350 Nm) of torque, all thanks to the battery’s discharge rate, maxing out at 610 kW. It has some serious electric power under the hood!
According to Autocar, this is because the 83kWh (usable) battery can discharge only up to 805bhp at any one time, but can lift its limits as the battery technology is improved.
While official figures are still under wraps, estimates suggest its travel range is similar to the GranTurismo, potentially between 305 km and 590 km depending on driving conditions.
Luxurious Interior Features
Enthusiasts and buyers immerse themselves in the GranCabrio’s interior, which boasts high-resolution dashboard displays, seamlessly integrated with the iconic Maserati clock.
Experience comfort like never before with upholstery crafted from recycled ECONYL nylon, featuring a sophisticated laser-etched pattern.
Plus, stay cosy on cool summer evenings with the standard neck-warming system, and the optional wind stopper, ensuring passengers remain warm even with the roof down.
And speaking of the roof, the GranCabrio’s soft top, identical to its petrol counterpart, effortlessly lowers or raises in just 14 seconds, offering the perfect blend of style and convenience.
Electric Racing Innovation to Road Cars
Maserati, like Nissan and Jaguar, leverages data from electric racing cars to enhance drivetrains for their road vehicles.
This tech transfer gains momentum as Formula E introduces Gen3 cars in 2023, featuring faster charging and more efficient motors. Expect these advancements to influence future consumer EVs.
Nissan’s improvements include the Leaf and Ariya, while Jaguar expands its EV lineup with the I-Pace and F-type models.
Through Nissan came the much-improved Nissan Leaf and the Ariya, and Jaguar with its whole EV collection in its I-Pace and F-type models.
Release and Pricing
The GranCabrio Folgore is set to be shipped out from early 2025 and is slated to cost US$253,450.00.
