New Maserati GranTurismo Folgore luxury electric GT unveiled

This is the all-new, all-electric Maserati GranTurismo Folgore: A zero-emissions grand tourer capable of 0-62mph in just 2.7 seconds and a top speed approaching 200mph. Though, considering the GranTurismo Folgore packs a tri-motor setup, all-wheel drive and produces more than 750bhp along with 1,350Nm of torque, neither stat should come as a shock.

Maserati also claims the flagship EV can cover up to 279 miles on a charge and can reach charging speeds of 270kW. The latter is thanks to 800-volt electrics, like you’ll find in the Porsche Taycan or Audi e-tron GT. That means if you find a suitably fast ultra-rapid charger you’ll be able to add more than 60 miles of range in just five minutes.

Under the metal, the electric GT features a 92.8kWh “T-bone” battery, 83kWh of which is usable. It’s located under the centre console, where the transmission in the V6-powered models goes, unlike the majority of EVs which use a floor-mounted battery pack. The GranTurismo’s unique setup allows it to sit lower than any other electric car, more like a supercar, and Maserati says it also helps improve the car’s handling and agility.

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There are four driving modes to choose from – Max Range, GT, Sport and Corsa – with each setting able to adjust the amount of power available and the sound of the car, as well as the traction control and torque vectoring. There’s also four levels for the regenerative braking, which you can switch between using paddles on the steering wheel. Pre-conditioning the battery ahead of charges and even programming charging stops into journeys are among the other EV-specific features in the Folgore.

In terms of the second-generation Tesla Roadster rival’s styling, the GranTurismo Folgore is more of a subtle evolution of the outgoing GranTurismo, as opposed to a complete redesign. The silhouette is still the classic GT shape, with a long bonnet, gently raked windscreen and wide rear haunches. 

Despite there being no engine to cool, the electric GranTurismo still features a large grille up front, which retains the vertical slats and large Maserati trident in the centre found on the current model. Other design cues include the signature three gills on the side and set of tri-spoke aero wheels – 20-inch rims at the front, and 21s in the rear. In case you were wondering, the ‘Folgore’ badge debuting on the GranTurismo will be worn by all electric Maseratis and means ‘lightning’ in Italian.

The heart of the dashboard is a 12.3-inch central touchscreen running the Android Automotive operating system, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity on top of that. But instead of burying the climate controls in the main screen, Maserati has fitted a smaller 8.8-inch display for all those settings. Behind the steering wheel is a 12.2-inch digital driver’s display, with four different layouts to choose from, and a head-up display. The Folgore also has a unique soundtrack played by speakers both inside and outside the cabin.

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As well as the new tech, Maserati has removed a significant amount of physical buttons to create a cleaner looking cabin, and used a variety of recycled materials for certain elements like nylon from recovered fishing nets. Like all GranTurismos before, the pure-electric Folgore is still a four-seater with two interior colour schemes to choose from; one light, one dark. 

Pricing for the GranTurismo Folgore has yet to be confirmed, but we expect it to be revealed closer to the 1,200bhp+ GT’s launch in 2023. As well as the GranTurismo Folgore, 2023 will also see the launch of the GranCabrio Folgore convertible and an electric version of the Grecale compact SUV unveiled back in March.

By 2025, the Italian luxury carmaker’s EV line-up will also include a zero-emissions version of its MC20 supercar, as well as the next iterations of the Levante SUV and Quattroporte saloon, which will both be electric-only and boast Level 3 autonomous-driving capability.

The latter two are expected to use Maserati parent group Stellantis’ new EV-dedicated ‘STLA Medium’ platform, which the company claims will allow for a range of up to 440 miles. The electric GranTurismo, GranCabrio and Grecale, however, will not use those underpinnings, in order to preserve their identity as Maseratis, according to the brand.