Following the 490hp Modena and 550hp Trofeo, Maserati has launched the 760hp, 202mph GranTurismo Folgore in the UK. Far more than a conventional Maser flagship, it’s the brand’s first all-electric car - some statement of intent. Some price, too: the Modena is £133,000, the Trofeo £163,470 and the new EV range-topper an eye-popping £179,950.
For that, buyers are going to get an unprecedented level of performance from a Maserati, with 0-62mph in 2.7 seconds claimed (and 0-124mph in just 8.8) thanks to 995lb ft alongside that supercar-rivalling power output. The trio of electric motors are supplied by an 84kWh battery, which can offer up to 280 miles of range according to Maserati. Peak charging speed is 270kW, thanks to the 800-volt architecture, so if you see a Folgore at an Ionity for not very long that’ll explain it. In a world where everything is perfect, where nobody is hogging the middle lane and the roadworks are finished early, 62 miles could be added to the range in five minutes. At some services, it’d take even longer than that just to reach the toilet, let alone go.
You’ll remember PH drove the Folgore prototype a year ago, where it impressed with its performance and torque vectoring abilities but left a few things still to be discovered. Not least a go on the road, which the UK launch hopefully now makes possible. What on earth is a 2.26-tonne, near-800hp, 200mph electric Maserati GranTurismo actually like? How does it compare as a GT experience to those rivals with engines? Those other models in the range that have engines, no less.
After so many years with uninspiring Maseratis, it’s great to have a model that can spark (no pun intended) debate and conversation. If a continent-crushing two-door with battery power is good enough for Rolls Royce, why shouldn’t Maserati have a go? With a commitment to all-electric cars from 2030, it must get started sooner rather than later.
The UK launch also means it’s possible to get stuck into the GranTurismo Folgore configurator; in case you were wondering, yes, it’s very easy to get this Maserati over £200,000. A range of Fuoriserie paint options can do it in one fell swoop; Rosso GranTurismo looks stunning but is £27,220 (as is Giallo Corse), while some others (Hypergreen) take a couple of thousand off that. There are six Fuoriserie colours (Night Interaction, Blu Graphite, Urban Green, Blu Denim, Orange Zest, Blu Maserati and Verde Royale) that are £15,200. A solid white or metallic black are standard, with a metallic grey the next step up at £3,720.
Anything else, for the moment, is Fuoriserie. The snazzy three-spoke wheels are standard, with less interesting ones optional, and currently the interior options are limited to different carbon trim, with standard Nero/Cuoio. Different upholstery will surely follow - what’s a GranTurismo, even an electric one, if it can’t be specced in dark blue and tan? With orders open now, the Folgore will likely be delivered to its first UK customers in the coming months. Or if a Trofeo is more your bag, early cars are currently being offered at £150k - might feel a bit slow, however…
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