The Maserati Granturismo Folgore Is Silent But Sensational

17 hours ago

'In Italian, Folgore means ‘lightning’ – and when the battery-powered GranTurismo strikes, it’s a phenomenal experience'

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The Maserati Granturismo Folgore Is Silent But Sensational

Jeremy Taylor drives the magnifico Maserati Granturismo Folgore, a supercar powered by battery.

Car Review: Maserati GranTurismo Folgore

Like a glamorous catwalk model of advancing years, Maserati’s GranTurismo has aged well. In-house designer Klaus Busse has painstakingly recreated an achingly beautiful grand tourer worthy of Milan Fashion Week.

Maserati’s original GranTurismo – designed by Italian style house Pininfarina – survived from 2007 to 2019 with a few minor facelifts. That’s incredible longevity for any car. The Busse successor I have driven doesn’t look much different, which is no bad thing.

The only factor the new electric Folgore lacks is the V8 thunder of the original, replaced instead with silent-running motors. However, in Italian, Folgore means ‘lightning’ – and when the battery-powered GranTurismo strikes, it’s a phenomenal experience.

Few can question the extraordinary abilities of Maserati’s most powerful model ever, a two-door four-seater that oozes charisma. Capable of over 200mph and an insane 0-62mph sprint in 2.7 seconds, the outrageous stats are only part of the story.

EVs are mostly driven by one electric motor, but this brilliant coupé boasts three. How does that work on a four-wheeled car? Folgore features two motors at the rear and one up front. The system also borrows technology from the Formula E electric racing series, offering an incredible turn of speed.

As you might expect of a Maserati, the whole experience is a blend of refinement and out-and-out performance. Composed suspension copes admirably with a potholed British road, while the car’s madcap ‘Corsa’ mode turns up the excitement to the max. In ‘Sport’ mode, this cutting-edge electric supercar should manage some 230 miles between charges.

Battery life is assisted by powerful regenerative braking – a system that captures and stores kinetic energy generated during braking, then converting it into electricity to recharge the battery pack. The strength of the braking is controlled by beautiful aluminium paddles on the steering column, just like the ones petrol- powered supercars use to change gear.

The rest of the cabin is slightly less impressive. Though aesthetically pleasing, the touch-sensitive infotainment screen doesn’t match Folgore’s on-road pace. Space in the rear is tight but the back seats will likely serve as overspill for the boot anyway, reduced in size to help accommodate the battery.

Maserati plans to stop building petrol vehicles by 2028, despite an illustrious history of performance cars. You could buy a V6 petrol version of the GranTurismo, which costs less and looks equally as gorgeous. But minus the rip-roaring gargle from an exhaust pipe, a Folgore should prove enough drama for any driver.