- The GranCabrio Folgore is a convertible, all-electric model of the Maserati GranTurismo.
- It is bought a brand new 800-volt structure and 751 hp, with strong dealing with that makes it enjoyable to drive.
- Its software program and person interface looks as if extra of an afterthought, nonetheless, exhibiting that Maserati nonetheless has quite a bit to find out about constructing trendy EVs.
Maseratis are recognized for magnificence, efficiency and their participating driving expertise. However you’d hardly assume to say software program or electronics as a excessive level. So when Maserati introduced a brand new GranTurismo—after over a decade available on the market for the previous mannequin—with an all-electric powertrain choice, a brand new software program expertise and over-the-air updates, we had been curious if the corporate may pull it off. The reply, based on Out Of Spec’s newest video, is type of.
The Folgore—Maserati’s phrase for electrical, from the Italian world for lightning—model of the GranTurismo and GranCabrio comes with three electrical motors, making a mixed whole of 751 horsepower. That is far more than the most well liked model of the internal-combustion GranTurismo, the Trofeo. That automobile makes “simply” 542 hp. Torque is even additional behind its electrical stablemate. Whereas the Folgore generates a whopping 996 lb-ft of twist, the Trofeo makes do with 460 lb-ft. Zero to 60 occurs in 2.7 seconds within the electrical model.
The Maserati Granturismo Folgore coupe.
However each costly EV makes large energy and might notch a formidable 0-60 run. What separates the Folgore is its 800-volt structure, its coupe/convertible physique, its fun-to-drive nature and its engaging design. Out Of Spec’s Kyle Conner is especially impressed with it on the street, the place sharp dealing with and explosive acceleration make the GranCabrio a riot. Mixed with an open-air cabin and a snug inside, the Maserati lives as much as its grand tourer billing. Particularly when you think about that it may well pull 270 kW whereas charging, which helps make up for its middling 242-mile most vary. Blame sticky tires and a hefty curb weight.
It is nonetheless loads of vary for a weekend cruiser. As a enjoyable electrical automobile, Conner says the Folgore is successful. As a contemporary platform representing the very best of Maserati—and mother or father model Stellantis’—software program recreation, although, it is disappointing. The Folgore has extraordinarily rudimentary route-planning capabilities, that means you may need to do loads of homework if you wish to take it on a grand tour. Its software program is gradual to reply and will be buggy, too.
Maserati
The inside of the Maserati GranCabrio Folgore.
That meshes with what I skilled within the internal-combustion GranTurismo again once I labored at Street & Observe. The GT was explosive on a again street and cozy for around-town cruising. However day-to-day usability was a weak spot. The push-button shifter did not all the time work on the primary try, and the infotainment software program bugged out a number of instances. There have been useless zones on the display screen the place I could not appear to the touch something, irrespective of how exhausting I pressed.
Kyle rightly factors out that most individuals aren’t shopping for $200,000 Maseratis as a result of they’re in search of the very best worth for cash, or the last word software program expertise. However if you pay for a premium expertise, it may be disappointing to see software program and controls which can be much less intuitive and dependable than these in a Chevy or Ford as of late.
But these complaints have dogged Maserati for many years. The corporate makes stunning, emotional automobiles with persona. Electronics, inside options and high quality points have all the time been secondary issues. Maybe it is comforting to know, then, that even because it reinvents itself for the electrical period, Maserati’s the identical previous firm it is all the time been.
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