Maserati is embracing electric vehicles wholeheartedly, and while this might suggest an identity shift for the luxury Italian brand, it’s likely a positive change over time.
The company recently unveiled the new Maserati GranCabrio Folgore, which is essentially a convertible version of its already released GranTurismo Folgore electric car. This new EV is Maserati’s third venture into electrified vehicles, and they invited us to Rimini, Italy, to witness the grand reveal firsthand.
There’s a lot to admire about the car, beyond just its aesthetics. It’s built on Maserati’s proprietary 800V Atlantis architecture, allowing it to fast charge at up to 270 kilowatts. This means it can charge from 20% to 80% in roughly 18 minutes. The range varies between 260 and 278 miles depending on the model, which is decent if not exceptional.
The car is also incredibly fast. It boasts three motors that together can produce 996 lb-ft of torque, enabling it to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in a remarkable 2.8 seconds. This makes it one of the quicker EVs on the market, which is something you’d expect for the steep price—estimated to start at over $200,000, typical for a Maserati.
Visually, the GranCabrio Folgore is stunning. At the Folgore Day event in Rimini, Maserati showcased other vehicles in the Folgore range, including the non-convertible GranTurismo Folgore, which I personally prefer in terms of design. However, the GranCabrio Folgore remains a strikingly beautiful car. It carries Maserati’s signature design elements both inside and out. Maserati’s design chief, Klaus Busse, highlighted the car’s front, noting that it isn’t entirely faceless like some other EVs. This design allows for air intake through the front grille, which helps cool the motors and battery. The car’s bronze color showcased online is particularly appealing, although we only saw a pink version, which also looked good but wasn’t my top pick.
The GranCabrio Folgore is easily one of the better-looking electric cars available today, though there are several attractive EVs out there. Maserati aims for luxury, and customers can customize many aspects of the car. While I didn’t get to sit inside, the interior appeared very high-end.
Maserati hasn’t overlooked performance either. As mentioned, this car can reach 60 miles per hour in just 2.8 seconds. However, with more affordable cars from brands like Kia offering similar acceleration levels, overall performance is becoming less unique.
Given that performance isn’t as distinctive a feature for EVs anymore, brands like Maserati may need to find new ways to stand out. Electric vehicles are often viewed as large appliances, focusing on range and charging speed rather than the driving experience. But for Maserati, personality is crucial. Standing out in a market where many EVs feel similar could be challenging.
So, how will Maserati infuse their cars with personality in the electric age? For now, it seems they’re focusing on design, luxury feel, and possibly recreating some of the classic Maserati driving experience with synthesized engine sounds. Yet, as they aim to appeal to younger buyers, this might not suffice. Hopefully, we’ll get to drive the car soon and see how it performs.