Maserati, the Italian sports car specialist, has unveiled one of the world’s first convertibles and one of the first four-seaters.
The GranCabrio badge means it’s the convertible edition of the new GranTurismo luxury coupe, while Folgore, which means lightning bolt in Italian, is the badge implemented on all of Maserati’s new electric models.
It is expected to hit Australian showrooms sometime after the arrival of the petrol-powered GranCabrio later this year, priced at nearly a fraction of a million dollars before road prices ($475,000), a $120,000 increase over its predecessor.
The GranCabrio Folgore features the coupe’s 3 electric motors (two at the rear and one at the front) and a 92. 5 kWh battery (total or 83 kWh usable), much of which is fixed along the car’s center tunnel and runs at 800 volts.
While each of the three electric motors develops around 300 kW, the battery can only supply enough power for a maximum of 610 kW, and only for short periods of time, while the overall outdoor power is calculated in the “MaxBoost” mode. to 560 kW/1,350 Nm.
Over-specifying the motors, the 610 kW will be distributed between the motors as desired for optimal performance. Maserati executives told Drive that the company is already exploring next-generation battery generation to release more power from the engines.
Maserati claims to have a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of 2. 8 seconds, a tenth slower than the coupe, with a 0-200 km/h time of 9. 1 seconds (0. 3 seconds less) and a top speed of 290 km/h.
For context, the petrol GranCabrio has a 3. 0-litre twin-turbo V6 with 399 kW/650 Nm, for a 0-100 km/h time of 3. 6 seconds.
An electric range of 419 to 447 km per tariff is claimed, according to European WLTP procedures.
DC fast charging up to 270 kW is offered, with a rate of 20-80% in 18 minutes.
As in the petrol GranCabriolet, functional features include adaptive air suspension, Brembo brakes with six 380 mm pistons at the front and four 350 mm pistons at the rear, as well as 20-inch wheels at the front and 21-inch wheels at the rear.
The Folgore style includes a brake disc erase formula that periodically applies “friction” disc brakes instead of regenerative braking when the driving force lifts the accelerator pedal to whiten the disc surface.
There are four driving modes: Max Range, GT, Sport and Corsa, while the GranCabrio Folgore is said to emit a synthesized driving sound derived from the “signature sound” of Ferrari-derived Maserati V8s.
The visual differences between the Folgore and petrol versions come with a new grille, the component of which is more closed than open, as well as a unique alloy wheel design and other paint options.
Inside, the seats feature the new Econyl upholstery, made from recycled nylon (considered a world first in the automotive sector) with laser-cut sections for a unique pattern.
The sunroof can be opened in 14 seconds or closed in 16 seconds at speeds of up to 50 km/h, provided the windows are already down. Starting the procedure with the windows open prolongs these times by 4 seconds.
Journalist