Buongiorno! Scooter right here, again with one other first-drive assessment with Maserati. This time, I flew north of Milan, Italy, to Lake Maggiore, the place I took in tons of gorgeous vistas whereas testing out Maserati’s first all-electric convertible, the GranCabrio Folgore. It is a superbly performed new mannequin, however I fear about its beginning value.
Background on Maserati’s first all-electric convertible
My most up-to-date Maserati drive occasion was nearly 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 phases of GranCabrio Folgore improvement and testing had begun by means of 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 realized 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 lately received to go to Maserati’s native lands and try it out for myself. I’ve shared my ideas under.
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 accessible options, all of that are top-of-the-line in design and performance. This kind of enterprise mannequin makes my job simpler as a result of once I discuss 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 here 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)
- High 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 are usually not unhealthy in comparison with its rivals within the luxurious phase, however the vary definitely leaves one thing to be desired. That mentioned, the GranCabrio Folgore was not essentially designed for lengthy street journeys. We had loads of vary left after our day our driving (and driving FAST).
From my expertise, it’s good 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 aspect, nevertheless, the Italian automaker was capable of ship a 50/50 weight distribution, which is healthier 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 provides 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 isn’t the case with the GranCabrio Folgore. It carries a modern however muscular design and drives greater than it appears attributable to its weight. Discover its distinctive clam-shell hood that extends as one complete stamped piece throughout the entrance of the car 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 probably 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 simple to navigate and function, with little or no have to faucet by means of a number of menus. Most of your most used features are shortly accessible from the steering wheel or show and are intuitively positioned.
I don’t essentially thoughts bodily buttons for drive features like Park and Drive, however I used to be not a fan of Maserati’s resolution to position them within the heart 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, nevertheless, had been very simple to scroll by means of utilizing a knob on the steering wheel. I admittedly spent most of my time in “Sport” and “Corsa” modes to really feel the complete efficiency, however I did check out every mode of the Maserati alongside my journey and loved the texture of every one… particularly the stiffness and torque vectoring of Corsa.
The acceleration was very good. This child can go. We frequently occasions outpaced the combustion Trofeo variations on the street 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 downside for future homeowners.
Regardless of being a convertible, I discovered the trip 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 had been there for me once I was within the solar, and a heated “air scarf” characteristic is on the market close to your neck within the entrance seats if you happen to’re getting chilly from the recent air.
One of many downsides I seen, 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 extra storage within the rear seats when you’ve got something bigger than a few carry-on suitcases.
GranCabrio Folgore pricing, availability, our video assessment
Total, that is my favourite Maserati BEV mannequin I’ve pushed so far. I believe its total design is the sharpest within the lineup, and it provides 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 may 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 maintain the tires on the street, even on hairpin turns. After driving this mannequin, my two critiques are its vary and its value.
The EPA’s estimated vary of 233 miles is enough for a car of this measurement and kind, however I might 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 barely $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 price the additional cash for a convertible? The market will reply that query when the Maserati GranCabrio Folgore makes its method to North American showrooms this fall as a 2025 mannequin.
Till then, be sure you try my driving footage and impressions round Northern Italy under:
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