SHANGHAI MOTOR SHOW: All-electric Maserati Grecale Folgore revealed

Maserati presented its second battery-electric model to the world at the Shanghai auto show this week, in the form of the 2023 Maserati Grecale Folgore.

Underpinned by a 400V electrical architecture and looking almost identical to the internal combustion versions of the all-new mid-size luxury SUV, the Grecale Folgore is powered by a pair of electric motors drawing current from a 105kWh battery to develop a combined 410kW/820Nm, yielding a 4.1-second 0-100km/h sprint time and a 220km/h top speed.

The immense battery pack gifts the Grecale, which arrives in Australia this month, an effective driving range of about 500km and can be charged from 20-80 per cent in 29 minutes when hooked up to a 150kW DC fast-charger.

Alternatively, 100km of range (WLTP) can be added after just nine minutes of charging. It can also be charged at up to 22kW when using AC power, but Maserati hasn’t published a claimed charging time.

Passers-by will be hard-pressed to tell the Folgore apart from its four and six-cylinder counterparts, but car nuts will likely spot the altered grille, aero-optimised alloys and redesigned rear diffuser, and the biggest giveaway is the new ‘Rame Folgore’ hero colour with copper badging.

Hidden underneath the elegant body are air springs, adaptive dampers, four-piston Brembo front brake callipers and 350mm ventilated brake rotors at all four corners, with drivers able to tailor their motoring experience through four distinct drive modes: Max Range, GT, Sport and Offroad.

Clamber into the 14-way power-adjustable sports seats upholstered in ECONYL regenerated nylon (with heated and ventilated functions) and you’re greeted by a 12.3-inch infotainment system sporting wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Baidu CarLife, a secondary 8.8-inch ‘comfort’ display and a 12.3-inch digital cockpit.

Other specification highlights include a configurable head-up display, connected services, carbon copper 3D touch interior trim, ambient lighting and gesture control.

Included in the price is the customer’s choice of home or public charging solutions, including a 22kW AC wall box.

Set to be available in most major global markets, the Maserati Grecale Folgore is aimed first and foremost at the Chinese market – hence its Shanghai debut.

Maserati CEO Davide Grasso was present at the event and said the brand was celebrating a “new beginning” both locally and internationally as Maserati embraced its new electrified identity.

“We’re celebrating Folgore, the electrification plan that has become a reality and is ready to pave the way in this revolutionary era,” he said.

“I’m very excited to be here in Shanghai, which is not only an international exhibition but also a global platform for innovation and the ideal place to unveil the first electric models in the history of Maserati”.

There’s been no word yet on when or if the Grecale Folgore will be offered in Australia, but the odds are in our favour given both the combustion versions and the hypercar-slaying GranTurismo Folgore have both been confirmed for our market.

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