The latest Maserati to receive the Italian automaker's three-motor electric powertrain is the GranCabrio. The Stellantis-owned marque originally promised up to 1,200 horses, but alas, maximum discharge capacity limitations result in 751 horsepower and 996 pound-feet (1,350 Nm).
Seriously impressive numbers, although the high-voltage battery leaves much to be desired. From a usable capacity of 83 kilowatt hours, the most you can expect from the GranTurismo Folgore is 450 kilometers (280 miles) in the WLTP. Unfortunately, the Modenese automaker hasn't confirmed the rating for the slightly heavier GranCabrio Folgore.
Very similar in design to the 2+2 coupe, the 2+2 convertible features a beefier rear tray and reinforced sills. We're dealing with close to 100 kilograms over the hard-topped sibling, therefore resulting in a less dynamic vehicle. Considering that GranCabrio Folgore is a GT rather than a sports car, who cares that it does not corner like it's on rails?
The additional weight also means 2.8 seconds to 100 kilometers per hour (62 miles per hour) instead of 2.7 clicks, and few internal combustion vehicles can dream of hitting three-digit speeds that quickly. For reference, the V6-powered GranCabrio Trofeo needs 3.6 seconds. The fossil-fuel version makes 550 ps (542 hp) and 650 Nm (479 pound-feet), and its ZF-supplied automatic is a completely different animal from the dual-clutch tranny in the MC20.
GranCabrio Folgore is the third electric Mazzer after the GranTurismo Folgore and Grecale Folgore, and – believe it or not – all three feature similar underpinnings. Their platforms are derived from the Alfa Romeo Giorgio, which rolled out in 2015 with the Alfa Romeo Giulia. Other applications include the Stelvio, the Jeep Grand Cherokee, and the three-row Grand Cherokee L.
Photo: Maserati
Maserati did not bother telling prospective customers how long it takes for the canvas top to be lowered, but we do know that GranCabrio Trofeo needs 14 seconds at speeds of up to 50 kilometers per hour (31 miles per hour). The somewhat pretentious release attached below reveals that MC20 Folgore will drop in 2025. The rest of the lineup will have been fully electrified by 2028.
In what order, though? The answer to that question lies within a press release from January 2024, in which the House of the Trident confirmed two models for 2027 and 2028. The E indicates the segment and BEV stands for battery-electric vehicle. Bearing in mind that Levante is an E-segment utility vehicle, it should come as no surprise that E-UV BEV stands for the second coming of the Levante. Instead of the Giorgio architecture mentioned earlier, the newcomer will be underpinned by the new STLA Large platform.
Initial applications come in the form of the 2024 Dodge Charger Daytona and Jeep Recon, with STLA Large to be used by the next-generation Quattroporte as well. Maserati won't revive the Ghibli, though, partially because sport utility vehicles are in much higher demand than sedans.
STLA Large is a 400- and 800-volt platform developed for D- and E-segment vehicles. Formed by merging FCA with PSA, the Stellantis group intends to use STLA Large across five brands in the period between 2024 and 2026. In addition to Dodge, Jeep, and Maserati, said EV architecture will be further used by Alfa Romeo (for an SUV) and Chrysler (for a sedan).
It supports high-voltage batteries ranging between 85 and 118 kWh, whereas maximum driving range is approximately 800 kilometers or 500 miles in the WLTP. The Italian-American-French conglomerate also said that STLA Large can charge at up to 4.5 kWh per minute. Zero to 100 kilometers per hour, meanwhile, is estimated in the 2-second range.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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