Buongiorno! Scooter right here, again with one other first-drive evaluate with Maserati. This time, I flew north of Milan, Italy, to Lake Maggiore, the place I took in tons of lovely vistas whereas testing out Maserati’s first all-electric convertible, the GranCabrio Folgore. This can be a fantastically achieved new mannequin, however I fear about its beginning worth.
Background on Maserati’s first all-electric convertible
My most up-to-date Maserati drive occasion was virtually two years within the making, as we first reported on the Trident model’s all-electric GranCabrio convertible in October 2022. On the time, we solely noticed a camouflaged prototype. Nonetheless, Maserati relayed that the preliminary levels of GranCabrio Folgore growth and testing had begun via the streets of Modena in Northern Italy.
Since then, Maserati has launched two preliminary Folgore BEV fashions—the GranTurismo coupe and the Grecale Folgore SUV, which I test-drove in Southern Italy this previous March. In April, I used to be again in Italy at Maserati’s public launch of the GranCabrio Folgore convertible in Puglia.
It was then that we discovered what specs this tri-motor sports activities automobile will ship, together with its 2.8-second 0-100km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration time. Whereas we nonetheless await the GranCabrio Folgore’s official launch within the North American market, I just lately obtained to go to Maserati’s native lands and check it out for myself. I’ve shared my ideas beneath.
GranCabrio Folgore efficiency specs and options
What’s refreshing about Maserati and its Folgore BEVs is that they arrive as they’re—one variant with all of the out there options, all of that are top-of-the-line in design and performance. This type of enterprise mannequin makes my job simpler as a result of once I speak about specs, options, and pricing (brace your self for that one in a bit), I solely have to speak a couple of single possibility.
With that mentioned, listed below are some pertinent specs within the Rose Gold Maserati GranCabrio Folgore convertible I examined out:
- Powertrain: 3x 300kW radial motors (2 rear, 1 entrance)
- Max Energy: 560 kW (751 hp) / 610 kW (818 hp) w/ MaxBoost
- Max Torque: 1,350 Nm (996 lb-ft)
- Prime Pace: 180.2 mph
- 0-60 mph Acceleration: <2.8 seconds
- Battery Capability: 92.5 kWh (nominal) / 83 kWh (usable)
- Charging:
- DCFC – 800V: 270 kW (as much as 48 miles in 5 minutes)
- DCFC – 400V: 50 kW (12 miles in 5 minutes)
- DC Cost Time: 20 to 80% in 18 minutes (@800V – 270 kW)
- AC Cost Time: 48 miles per 1 hour (@15 kW)
- Vary: As much as 233 miles (EPA estimated)
- Homologated Weight: 5,249 lbs.
- Weight Distribution: 50/50
- Turning Radius: 40.68 ft.
The specs of the Maserati convertible aren’t dangerous in comparison with its rivals within the luxurious phase, however the vary actually leaves one thing to be desired. That mentioned, the GranCabrio Folgore was not essentially designed for lengthy highway journeys. We had loads of vary left after our day our driving (and driving FAST).
From my expertise, it’s excellent for cruising alongside the coast with the highest down and opening it up on straightaways. A draw back to Maserati’s distinctive 800V platform is the restricted house for extra batteries. On the flip facet, nonetheless, the Italian automaker was in a position to ship a 50/50 weight distribution, which is best than its combustion counterpart, even with an additional 933 kilos of weight from the batteries.
Driving Maserati’s tri-motor BEV convertible in Italy
Because the convertible model of Maserati’s first BEV on its 800V platform, the GranCabrio gives a bit extra freedom (and headroom) than the GranTurismo Folgore. After I drove the Grecale Folgore SUV, I discovered its exterior to be a tad flat and boring.
That’s not the case with the GranCabrio Folgore. It carries a glossy however muscular design and drives larger than it appears attributable to its weight. Discover its distinctive clam-shell hood that extends as one whole stamped piece throughout the entrance of the automobile and over the wheel wells. How usually do you see so few strains up entrance? Gorgeous.
Inside and outside, tiny particulars have been executed to the utmost high quality requirements, and that is essentially the most aesthetically pleasing Maserati I’ve personally seen and pushed. The inside is reassuring and spacious up entrance, however the rear seats are clearly fairly tight, given the sporty EV’s total size (4,966 mm).
I discovered the middle show straightforward to navigate and function, with little or no must faucet via a number of menus. Most of your most used capabilities are rapidly accessible from the steering wheel or show and are intuitively positioned.
I don’t essentially thoughts bodily buttons for drive capabilities like Park and Drive, however I used to be not a fan of Maserati’s determination to put them within the middle of the sprint between the shows. My hand’s intuition was to go to the wheel or in between the entrance seats to shift modes.
This convertible’s all-electric drive modes, nonetheless, have been very straightforward to scroll via utilizing a knob on the steering wheel. I admittedly spent most of my time in “Sport” and “Corsa” modes to really feel the total efficiency, however I did take a look at out every mode of the Maserati alongside my journey and loved the texture of each one… particularly the stiffness and torque vectoring of Corsa.
The acceleration was excellent. This child can go. We regularly instances outpaced the combustion Trofeo variations on the highway thanks the the Folgore’s triple motors and big torque. Overtaking practically some other automobile on the freeway or again roads ought to be no drawback for future homeowners.
Regardless of being a convertible, I discovered the journey of the Maserati GranCabrio surprisingly quiet. It’s clearly quietest with the highest and home windows up, however even top-down and home windows up was very good, and I actually can’t complain about driving prime and home windows city both.
Air-conditioned seats have been there for me once I was within the solar, and a heated “air scarf” characteristic is obtainable close to your neck within the entrance seats should you’re getting chilly from the contemporary air.
One of many downsides I observed, which comes with most convertibles, is the shortage of trunk house on this Maserati, particularly when the highest is down and folded up. That mentioned, there’s further storage within the rear seats if in case you have something bigger than a few carry-on suitcases.
GranCabrio Folgore pricing, availability, our video evaluate
Total, that is my favourite Maserati BEV mannequin I’ve pushed thus far. I believe its total design is the sharpest within the lineup, and it gives the efficiency to match its luxurious. At the same time as a convertible, I discovered the GranCabrio Folgore to drive easily and as quiet as could be for having no roof.
Maserati’s battery placement within the 800V platform really shines on this mannequin, as its added (and evenly distributed) weight helps hold the tires on the highway, even on hairpin turns. After driving this mannequin, my two critiques are its vary and its worth.
The EPA’s estimated vary of 233 miles is sufficient for a automobile of this measurement and kind, however I’d have appreciated to see extra, given how a lot Maserati is asking for the all-electric convertible. This brings me to my subsequent difficulty: the GranCabrio Folgore begins at an MSRP of $205,000 earlier than an extra $1,995 in vacation spot and dealing with charges.
At a premium like that, I can’t assist however surprise who will purchase this mannequin. Maserati die-hards should still go for the combustion model, though I’d argue the Folgore is simply $13,000 extra and delivers considerably higher efficiency. Additionally, EV fanatics, even the extra prosperous ones, are in all probability going to go for a Lucid Air GT or Tesla Mannequin S Plaid for half the worth of the GranCabrio.
Is it actually value the additional cash for a convertible? The market will reply that query when the Maserati GranCabrio Folgore makes its solution to North American showrooms this fall as a 2025 mannequin.
Till then, make sure to take a look at my driving footage and impressions round Northern Italy beneath:
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