Maserati GranTurismo Folgore 2023 Review

Pricing for the 2023 Maserati GranTurismo line-up has yet to be announced for Australia, but we expect the cheapest combustion-powered version, which scores a detuned twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 from the MC20, to cost a substantial $350,000.

Factor in the level of performance offered by the all-electric Folgore version (which means 'lightning' in Italian) and we think the Italian car-maker's first-ever EV could cost as much as $500,000 before options.

That's an awful lot of money, especially when you consider the Porsche Taycan Turbo S costs $351,000 and the Tesla Model S Plaid was priced at only $186,990 before Australian reservations ceased.

Of course, there's another way of looking at the new battery-powered coupe: it costs only a fraction of the price of another two-door grand tourer, the Rolls-Royce Spectre that's expected to set owners back an incredible $800,000 – and that's before you spend at least another six-figure sum making it your own.

Like all Maseratis sold in Australia, the all-new GranTursimo Folgore will be protected by a three-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. An additional eight-year/150,000km warranty is also expected to cover its all-electric powertrain.

Owners are also expected to be offered a 10-year extended warranty, delivering maximum peace of mind for those who plan to keep their car longer than three years. Prices will be released for the Extra10 Warranty later.

There's no word yet on servicing intervals, but the combustion-powered version has its check-ups spaced every 12 months/15,000km, with Maserati expected to insist on at least an annual health check for its first EV.

Since the 2023 Maserati GranTurismo Folgore won't land until late this year after the combustion-powered version makes its debut, it's perhaps understandable that the Italian car-maker has yet to announce full specifications for the cars we'll get.

That said, as a guide for how much the zero-emission coupe's options might cost, we can refer to the brand's Italian configurator for the GranTurismo V6 that's already on sale there.

In Italy, all versions come with a 12.2-inch customisable digital instrument cluster and 12.3-inch infotainment system that neatly sits above an 8.8-inch 'comfort' panel incorporating climate controls to slash the button count.

The above is carried over from the upcoming Grecale mid-size SUV, as well as the digital Maserati carriage clock that takes pride of place in the centre of the cabin at the driver's eyeline.

Despite high standard kit levels there will be plenty of opportunities to raid the options list. Premium paint, for example, is priced at €4636 ($A7200) in Italy, while swapping out the standard alloy wheels for another more visually arresting set costs up to €5490 ($A8500).

Carbon-ceramic brakes are expected to become available later, but if you fancy painting your brake callipers black, red, yellow or blue, the Italian brand charges €976 ($A1500).

Then there are the must-have tech packs like the base ADAS pack that adds a surround-view camera and adaptive cruise (with stop&go) for another €3782 ($A5900).

A digital rear-view mirror and head-up display attracts another €3050 ($A4700).

The Comfort pack adds a gesture-controlled tailgate, heated sports steering wheel and HomeLink connection for €1708 ($A2600), while a Sport Design pack throws in aluminium pedals, illuminated kickplates and black trim (instead of chrome) around the windows for €1830 ($A2800).

Other must-haves include a 19-speaker Faber premium sound system for €4270 ($A6600) and ventilated seats for €1098 ($A1700).

If you're wondering what the cheekiest entry we could find on the options list is, that honour goes to the €4 ($A6) rag that Maserati sells to remove grubby fingerprints from the infotainment screen.

There's little chance the trident brand will ever volunteer the 2023 Maserati GranTurismo for full Euro NCAP crash testing, not least the all-electric Folgore version.

But the all-new platform that was developed under new parent company Stellantis for both the coupe and the upcoming GranCabrio should offer plenty of protection in the event of a crash.

What technology does the Maserati GranTurismo Folgore feature?

Maserati is especially proud of the latest Maserati Intelligent Assistant (MIA) infotainment system fitted to the 2023 Maserati GranTurismo.

Unfortunate acronym aside, the new touch-screen multimedia set-up is based on the most up-to-date Android Auto operating system and it’s swift and easy to use.

Capable of being configured with multiple tabs, the system can store up to five different users who can save their own profile and remembers their settings for music, climate control, seat/mirror positions and more.

Both wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are available and there's a natural-speak 'Hey Maserati' in-vehicle assistant to operate minor functions, reducing the reliance on touch-screens to cut driver distraction.

Since the development of the 2023 Maserati GranTurismo Folgore mostly pre-dated the creation of the Stellantis Group, the Italian car-maker's engineers largely operated in isolation and that has benefitted the battery-powered coupe.

Maserati knew it couldn't conjure up a bespoke all-electric architecture with its own resources, which forced it to improvise.

Hence the GranTurismo platform is modular and only the centre section differs from the V6 variant’s underpinnings. But without a skateboard platform that neatly packages EV batteries under the floor, engineers had a problem when it came to positioning the large 92kWh battery – especially when the marketers were demanding the coupe couldn't sacrifice an inch of occupant space.

The solution was to bundle the batteries in a T-formation and to use the transmission tunnel and engine bay as storage space.

Next an 800-volt electrical architecture was added, powering not one but three 300kW electric motors.

Two of the motors sit on the rear axle and can individually decouple to provide a rear torque vectoring system that goes well beyond any combustion-powered vehicle's limited-slip differential.

Drawing on its expertise in Formula E, Maserati developed all of the hardware including the motors and employed few off-the-shelf components.

The result is a powertrain that can produce up to an incredible 900kW of power, but the Folgore's battery can't deploy enough current for the motors to deliver their best.

Instead, owners will have to make do with ‘just’ 560kW and ‘only’ 1350Nm of torque.

Driving all four wheels off the line, the Maserati is claimed to ignore its portly 2260kg kerb weight and haul itself to 100km/h, from rest, in just 2.7 seconds.

That makes it quicker than the Taycan Turbo S (2.8sec) and as quick as the Porsche 911 Turbo S, but slower than the Model S Plaid (2.1sec).

Its 0-200km/h performance is an even more remarkable at just 8.8sec (0.8sec sooner than the Porsche), while top speed is 325km/h – up from just 260km/h in the top Taycan and 5km/h more than the most powerful previous-generation GranTurismo Trofeo, which managed the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.5 seconds.

Charging is another strongpoint for the GranTurismo, with the Folgore version capable of being charged at up to 270kW via a DC fast-charger, which is claimed to deliver a 20-80 per cent charge in just 18 minutes.

Maserati says a brief five-minute fast-charge will add 100km of range, but using a 22kW AC charger takes an hour to add 100km.

Those figures are highly competitive compared with the Porsche Taycan Turbo S, against which the GranTurismo was benchmarked. The zero-emission Porsche can also be charged at up to 270kW, with a 5-to 80 charge taking a claimed 22.5 minutes.

The only car that comprehensively beats the GranTurismo Folgore is the Tesla Model S Plaid, which Maserati discounts as a rival. It isn’t quite as fast at 322km/h, but covers an unverified 628km on a full charge.

But the Tesla takes longer to charge because it’s limited to 250kW, which means a 10-80 per cent top-up takes around 25 minutes.

The 2023 Maserati GranTurismo Folgore has yet to be officially homologated, but energy consumption is estimated at around 18.3kWh/100km. In comparison, the Porsche Taycan Turbo S is said to average around 21.9kWh/100km.

Approach the 2023 Maserati GranTurismo Folgore and it emits a digitised sound to let you know it's running. The noise is curious and not as appealing as the soundscape offered by a Mercedes-Benz EQS or EQE – and not as involving as the rumble emitted by the Taycan.

You can't turn it off but because the noise is piped into the cabin it settles at speed – and gathering speed is something the first battery-electric Maserati is exceptionally accomplished at.

Selecting Corsa mode turns off the traction control and the GranTurismo dramatically spins up all four tyres off the line under hard acceleration, which is not surprising considering we were on winter tyres and temperatures were still in the single digits.

Speaking of modes, there's actually five driving modes for the Folgore, including Max Range, GT, Sport and the aforementioned Corsa. Only in Sport and Corsa is the full 560kW served up, with the other modes delivering only 80 per cent of the car’s considerable outputs.

Even in Sport mode you won't be lacking forward thrust, with high-speed overtaking manoeuvres only a caress of the throttle away. The Folgore dishes up much more of the effortless cross-country pace that previous Maserati GranTurismos going back to the late 1940s were famous for.

What it isn't is sporting. Even though it disguises its bulk well (1350Nm of torque will do that), there's always the feeling you're sitting in a large coupe. The GranTurismo never shrinks around you like a Porsche 911 seems to do.

Despite driving a very late-stage prototype we actually preferred the lighter steering of the all-electric version, compared to the heavier tiller in the V6.

Like its combustion sibling, traction in Sport mode in the Folgore is a strong point, although the ride is busier in the electric version due to the need for stiffer air springs to support its extra mass (it weight a huge 465kg more than the V6).

Curiously, engineers said mounting the batteries in a T-shape in the centre of the car allows the Folgore to match the bodyroll behaviour of the combustion version, which has benefits on track. There's also a perfect 50/50 front/rear weight distribution, which beats the V6's 52:48.

Varying brake regeneration levels are accessible via the steering wheel panels and we're happy to report Maserati hasn't bothered with one-pedal driving capability, but it did develop a drift-mode (although we didn't have time to try it).

Up the pace and you begin to experience the torque vectoring system that makes the Folgore feel rear-wheel drive at all times, thanks to a chassis ECU that’s able to shuffle up to 100 per cent of torque rearward and up to 50 per cent to the front axle.

When a slide does occur, the system appears to magically shuffle torque to smoothly and instantly pull the car straight again with little fuss.

Aside from a minor rattle and a leaky side window (the combustion versions were rattle- and fault-free), the GranTurismo Folgore we drove was fault-free and well refined.

We think most owners will become enamoured by both the effortless pace and peaceful way the GranTurismo goes about demolishing a journey.

Maserati claims the 2023 GranTurismo Folgore can cover up to 450km on a full charge under European WLTP testing – that's more than the 412km the Porsche Taycan Turbo S can achieve but some way behind the 628km that the Tesla Model S Plaid is claimed to cover.

Even though it’s carrying a huge battery, practicality remains a strong point for the 2023 Maserati GranTurismo Folgore.

Behind the driver and passenger there's decent head and knee room plus a pair of proper seats. There's even a vent between the front seats to feed cooling air to rear passengers, plus two USB chargers.

One casualty of the electrified powertrain is that the boot of the V6 model shrinks, from 310 to 270 litres.

Within the cabin you discover the giant leap forward Maserati has taken when it comes to the look, feel and quality of the materials used and there's none of the old car's weird Italian idiosyncrasies.

The simple-to-use three-spoke steering wheel is worth mentioning as its rotary manettino makes it easy to select the five driving modes. The oversized paddles also return and work well to increase or decrease brake regen on the move.

The GranTursimo carries over its new instrument cluster, infotainment screen and climate control panel from the Grecale SUV and it's no worse for it as the system is simple, quick and intuitive.

Unlike the classic GranTurismo Modena or sportier Trofeo, the all-electric Folgore shuns traditional materials for a more contemporary look with blue and white colours. For the first time there are even sustainable leather-free fabrics made from reclaimed fishing nets.

Whatever the version, the new GranTurismo's cabin is a pleasant place to spend time and the view of the curved front fenders from the driver's seat reminds you you're driving something that’s a cut above more mainstream rivals.

Even alongside the Porsche Taycan, the Maserati feels special, as it should considering its expected price tag.

Maserati has kickstarted a new genre of EV with its pure-electric two-door GT and from our first experience of a nearly-ready GranTurismo Folgore prototype we're already big fans.

Despite worries over the lack of a stirring soundtrack, we think many Maserati traditionalists – and others – will be seduced by the Folgore's effortless pace and impeccable refinement.

Then there's its design; we reckon there’s no better-looking EV this side of a Rimac Nevera.

It might not be perfect and most will be far better off with the still-fast, still-beautiful GranTurismo V6, but for those EV devotees the new GranTurismo Folgore is one of the most attractive zero-emissions prospects out there, regardless of its price.

2024 Maserati GranTurismo Folgore at a glance:
Price: $500,000 (estimated)
Available: Late 2023 (TBC)
Powertrain: Three asynchronous electric motors
Output: 560kW/1350Nm
Transmission: Single-speed reduction gear
Battery: 92.5kW (83kWh useable) lithium-ion
Range: 450km (WLTP)
Energy consumption: 18.3Wh/100km (estimated)
Safety rating: N/A