Maserati has unveiled its first-ever electric vehicle in the form of the all-new GranTurismo Folgore. While not as quick to go electric as some larger manufacturers, it's no surprise that the Italian automaker would eventually start to catch up with the world of electrification. Even their stablemate Ferrari has started to soften their stance on electric power, promising to have 80% electrification of its model range by 2030.
With that being said, what's so attention-grabbing about the new GranTurismo? To some, it may be that they're set to release a potent, all-electric GT car, with plenty of power to go along with it. But, we would be more inclined to say that the number one thing that will draw potential buyers to the new Maserati GranTurismo is the classic styling that can only come from an Italian design house.
Everything Traces Back To The Maserati A6 1500
Released in 1947, the Maserati A6 1500 GT (GranTurismo) was quite unmistakably the spiritual predecessor to the modern GranTurismo. Pininfarina designed, with a tubular chassis, independent front suspension, disc brakes, and a twin-cam engine, the A6 1500 was a highly technical car for its era. Much like a modern Maserati GranTurismo, the A6 1500 would turn heads everywhere it went and was just as exciting to drive as it was to look at.
Not only would the A6 1500 GT have been exciting to drive, (if you could have gotten your hands on one of the 58 examples made, that is) it was also a grand touring car, able to soak up miles with ease. Something far rarer in post-war 1947 than it is with modern vehicles.
The New Maserati GranTurismo Is The Benchmark Grand Tourer
Maserati promises that this GranTurismo is the ultimate in speed and comfort, embodying their new slogan "The Others Just Travel". The release of this car coincides with the 75th anniversary of the GT name, a fact that Maserati is quite proud of. The world has changed dramatically in those 75 years, and although Maserati's design is as timeless as ever, they're still pushing the boundaries on new technology.
The new models of GranTurismo are here to prove that the GranTurismo name has many years left. Maserati has given us three new models in the GranTurismo line. Starting with the Modena, powered by their new 490 hp, 3.0 liter Nettuno twin-turbo V6, based on the engine found in the MC20 supercar.
Each of the GranTurismo models is designed to evoke feelings in their potential buyer, the Modena is for the elegant, refined buyer, who also enjoys a powerful, yet comfortable highway cruiser. For the buyer that is looking for the ultimate performance as well as the ultimate in comfort, Maserati offers the Trofeo. Carbon fiber accents, bold wheels, and sportier feeling interior materials set the Trofeo tone in a different direction than the Modena. The icing on the cake here is an additional 60hp from the Nettuno V6.
These two are the old dogs, the ultimate touring cars. Big power, big comfort, and classic styling. Likely, these may be some of the last great gasoline-powered grand touring cars that the world will see. Even though it's difficult to imagine long road trips with an all-electric GT car currently, EV infrastructure is growing by the day and new technology keeps coming at an accelerated pace. With Maserati looking to go all-electric by 2030, maybe electric power is the future of the grand touring car.
The Most Exciting GranTurismo Is The All-Electric Folgore
The third GranTurismo model is most likely the one that's gotten the most attention. The House of the Trident's first attempt at an all-electric vehicle. It's got three 300kW permanent magnet motors, 800-volt architecture, and a 92.5 kWh battery. Although the range has not been released as yet, Maserati has released a power figure, 760 hp to the wheels on this version of the GranTurismo. No doubt we'll see some impressive acceleration numbers from the Folgore.
Beyond the raw power, Maserati has some significant features that make their new EV stand out. The battery pack, for example, is packaged in a configuration they're calling a "t-bone", which keeps the pack narrow in the middle of the car. This allows the weight to stay centered and low, while also keeping the GranTurismo's traditional low seating position by not having a battery pack that extends under the seats.
They're also showcasing a new electrical control system in the Folgore. VDCM is a vehicle control module designed completely in-house at Maserati. The result is quick, reliable performance between components, as well as the capacity for over-the-air updates.
Possibly the most exciting thing that we're seeing on the new GranTurismo Folgore is the thing that Maserati is most famous for, the exterior styling. Not only is the Folgore just as beautiful as its gasoline-powered brothers, but it's also arguably the best-looking of the bunch.
No dorky-covered grilles, strange lights, or oddly colored accents here to tell you that this is an EV. To the untrained eye, it would be very difficult to point out that this is the electric version of something. That's the most remarkable thing about this car, Maserati retained all of its iconic charms, even while making huge strides forward in technology.
Source: Maserati