2024 Maserati GranCabrio Folgore electric car unveiled
Meet one of the world’s first modern electric convertibles, a circa-610kW Maserati with four seats.
Italian sports-car specialist Maserati has unveiled one of the world’s first electric convertibles – and among the first with four seats.
The GranCabrio badge means it is the convertible version of the new GranTurismo luxury coupe – while Folgore, which is Italian for lightning, is the badge applied to all new electric Maserati models.
It is expected to reach Australian showrooms sometime after the petrol GranCabrio arrives towards the end of this year, priced close to half a million dollars before on-road costs ($475,000) – a $120,000 hike over its predecessor.
The GranCabrio Folgore shares the coupe’s three electric motors – two rear, one front – and 92.5kWh (total, or 83kWh usable) battery, much of which is mounted along the centre tunnel of the car, and runs at 800 volts.
While each of the three electric motors develops about 300kW, the battery can only supply enough energy for up to 610kW – and only in short bursts, with the regular power output outside of 'MaxBoost' mode quoted as 560kW/1350Nm.
Over-specifying the motors allows the 610kW to be distributed between the motors as desired for optimal performance. Maserati executives told Drive the company is already exploring next-generation battery technology to unlock more of the motors' power.
Maserati claims a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 2.8 seconds, one-tenth slower than the coupe, with 0-200km/h in a quoted 9.1 seconds (0.3sec slower), and a 290km/h top speed.
For context, the petrol GranCabrio uses a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 with 399kW/650Nm, for a claimed 0-100km/h time of 3.6 seconds.
An electric driving range of 419km to 447km on a charge is claimed, according to European WLTP test procedures.
DC fast charging at up to 270kW is offered, for a 20 to 80 per cent refill in a claimed 18 minutes.
As with the petrol GranCabrio, performance features include adaptive air suspension, 380mm six-piston front and 350mm four-piston rear Brembo brakes, and 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels.
The Folgore model includes a brake disc cleaning system which periodically applies the 'friction' disc brakes rather than regenerative braking when the driver lifts off the accelerator pedal to clean the surface of the discs.
There are four drive modes – Max Range, GT, Sport and Corsa – while the GranCabrio Folgore is claimed to carry a synthesised driving sound derived from the "sound characteristic" of Maserati's Ferrari-derived V8s.
Visual differences between the Folgore and petrol version include a new front grille – more of which is closed off than open – plus a unique alloy wheel design, and different paint choices.
Inside, the seats are available with new Econyl upholstery, which is made from recycled nylon – claimed to be an automotive world-first – with laser-cut sections to give it a unique pattern.
The soft-top roof can open in 14 seconds or close in 16 seconds at speeds up to 50km/h – as long as the windows are already down. Starting the process with the windows up extends each of these times by four seconds.