Say Hello To The Maserati GranCabrio Folgore: All-Electric Luxury Convertible Debuts With 818 Horsepower And 180 MPH Top Speed (2024)

• The GranCabrio Folgore is the first electric luxury convertible on the market.
• Shares drivetrain with GranTurismo Folgore.
• 750 horsepower and 995 lb-ft of torque comes from a trio of electric motors.
• Around 240 miles of range available.

We knew that Maserati was planning something big for today and here it is: The gorgeous and immensely powerful GranCabrio Folgore electric convertible. Created to “share the pleasure of open-air travel with four passengers”, the Folgore is the brand’s next venture into electric performance, boasting an AWD setup that has an installed 1,200 horsepower, but thanks to battery constraints, “only” makes 818 horsepower at the wheels and 995 lb-ft of torque.

This follows very closely on the heels of the GranTurismo Folgore, with the two models sharing performance specs and those amazing Italian looks but missing the classic Italian roar that we’re used to. Don’t worry though, as the models have a sound all their own that is sure to excite you and your passengers as you blast through the countryside. Whether the wind will be whipping through your hair or not will depend on which model you pick.

An Electric Italian Stallion

The GranCabrio Folgore is the third model to receive the Folgore treatment, following the Grecale and GranTurismo versions, with the MC20's version on its way next year. Folgore, which roughly translates to thunderbolt in Italian, is the brand’s electrification arm that isn’t taking its job lightly. Maserati wants these vehicles to have the same soul-stirring nature as the offerings that have made it so famous, and this has meant exploring electric capability outside the box as it aims for a fully electric lineup in four years.

The company says this is the first fully electric luxury convertible on the market, which may or may not be true based on your interpretations of “luxury” and “convertible”. Regardless, the model will certainly be the first with four seats, and it will be the first Italian model, beating competitors like Ferrari and Lamborghini to the punch. Given how well the GranTurismo Folgore drives, we have high hopes for the convertible.

Electric Performance Unlocked

The convertible’s electric heart and soul started all the way at the top in Formula E before making its way to the brand’s electric models. Based on an 800-volt architecture, the model produces a peak of 818 horsepower and 995 lb-ft of torque in Max Boost mode, but most of the time the vehicle will produce 750 hp. Energy comes from a 92.5 kWh battery pack with 83 kWh of usable capacity. With the two working to their fullest potential, the company says the convertible can dispatch 0-62 mph in 2.8 seconds and 0-124 mph in 9.1 sec on its way to a 180 mph top speed.

The motors themselves are technically very impressive and made in-house by Maserati. The power density is very high at 9.2 kW/kg and the inverters are made from silicon carbide, with the benefit being a greater control of the power to the motors along with less power loss typical of regular inverters.

The benefit of the three-motor setup is the disconnected nature of them all, allowing the vehicle to be driven either solely in RWD or in the AWD. It can also send torque exclusively to one of the rear wheels mimicking an electronically controlled differential, with the capability of sending as much as 400 hp to one wheel only. If this isn’t impressive enough, the company says it's able to discharge all of its power to the rear wheels only, meaning you won't have to sacrifice performance if your goal is to get tail happy.

All of this performance doesn't come for free though, as it adds a significant amount of weight to the platform. The company says the hom*ologated weight comes in at a portly 5,158 lbs, almost 200 lbs heavier than its GranTurismo Folgore cousin. To counter this, the battery pack is situated in a T-shaped pattern on the floor of the vehicle and the vehicle itself has a max height of 53 inches. The result is a 50/50 weight distribution and the lowest-sitting electric vehicle on the market according to Maserati.

The max range is about 277 miles, but this is on the WLTP cycle, so one should expect somewhere closer to 200-220 after EPA testing. This will be more than enough for most people's needs, and the best part is it can be recouped rather quickly thanks to the 800-volt architecture that allows for up to 270 kW fast charging. This can add 60 miles in 5 minutes according to the company, with 20-80% arriving in as little as 18 minutes. A 50 kW charger will then add 15 miles in 5 minutes. The company is planning on utilizing a DC Booster in some markets that allows a 400-volt charger to be boosted up to 800-volts in-car to increase charging speeds as well.

Drive Modes For Every Adventure

As expected, to get the most out of the Folgore model, you need the right mode for the job, and the Folgore comes with four: Max Range, GT, Sport, and Corsa.

As expected, the Max Range does exactly what its name suggests; gets every last drop of energy possible out of the battery pack. Aimed at efficiency, it is recommended when the model falls below 16% and a charging station is readily available. It limits top speed to 80 mph, reduces the response of the accelerator pedal, as well as the use of climate control.

GT mode is the default driving mode and gives you the best-balanced setup between performance and daily drivability. This is the model you want to be in on your way to work as it still gives you that "granturismo" nature we've come to expect from a Maserati without draining your battery in quick bursts thanks to power being limited to 80%

Sport is the mode you want to utilize to add excitement to your drive or just get your blood pumping on a long highway drive. The traction control is limited in this mode and can even be completely turned off depending on the situation. Power is fully unlocked and the car's sound is increased, but still, it's not the most extreme.

The honor goes to the Corsa mode, which unlocks the vehicle's power, and everything from the suspension to the accelerator peddles is buttoned up as tight as possible to provide lightning-quick speed, acceleration, and turning capability befitting your nearest racetrack. This mode can be further optimized with two other modes; Max Boost and Endurance. Max Boost gives you the fastest possible acceleration times, including the claimed 0-60 mph, whereas Endurance gives you the greatest combination of battery management and performance to ensure your track days don't end prematurely.

Further optimization is even possible from here, as three levels of traction control and torque vectoring can be chosen based on your situation. Between this and the ability to pick between AWD and RWD, the GranCabrio Folgore is set to be a formidable weapon.

Maserati Sound And Style

Of course, as this is a Maserati, so one can't forget it needs to look and sound fantastic. This starts with architecture that was produced 100% in-house by Maserati with 65% of the car being made from lightweight aluminum. The company has perfected its "balance of opposites" approach to vehicle design, marrying luxury with athletic performance in a way that honors and pushes the boundaries of the Maserati brand. The company wanted the design to be pure and contemporary while immediately recognizable, and we think they knocked it out of the park. Now all you'll have to do is customize it to your liking, and trust us, there will be more options than you can imagine.

The GranTurismo and GranCabrio are the same vehicle, so if you like one, you're bound to like the other. One frustrating thing is, the company is following in the footsteps of many others by"decluttering" the interior space as much as possible and putting many of the important controls behind different touchscreens. It certainly does give the interior a cleaner look, but in a grand touring vehicle like this, being able to change the volume or your music without taking your eyes off of the road is vital. Fortunately, Stellantis as a whole is rather good at its steering wheel controls, so we imagine the GranCabrio benefits.

So it has the gorgeous Italian design, but what of the sound? Well, this is where things get divisive. Maserati, like many brands these days, has chosen to give its electronic models "voices" to match their natures. The company has already unveiled what this is going to sound like after it released a video of the GranTurismo Folgore cruising around California. The company packaged the sound of the electric motors with the sound of its iconic V8s and has made something otherworldly. Don't think this is going to sound like the upcoming Dodge Charger as much as it's going to sound like a spaceship. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but we say wait to hear the sounds in the different modes before you forge an opinion.

There's so much more to this model that hasn't been unveiled, namely its price and release date. We imagine the first customer models will hit the road in late 2024/early 2025 with a price slightly above the $200,000 GranTurismo Folgore. The GranCabrio Folgore is yet another reason we're excited about the future of the Maserati brand, and we can't wait to see where it goes from here.