Open for business! Electric Maserati GranCabrio Folgore arrives with 610kW triple-motor power and $500K price tag

April 20, 2024April 19, 2024 John Mahoney 8698 Views folgore, GranCabrio, Granturismo, grecale, maserati

Luxury Italian brand Maserati has released pictures and full details of its inbound Maserati GranCabrio Folgore the latest member of the new breed of battery-electric convertibles, ahead of its as yet unconfirmed launch in Australia no sooner than 2025.

Joining the convertible Abarth 500e and Fiat 500e and incoming MG Cyberster and latest-gen MINI Cooper SE, the new Maserati GranCabrio Folgore instantly becomes the fastest and most expensive zero-emissions droptop money can buy with prices set to kick-off at more than $500,000.

BY the way, Folgore is Italian for thunderbolt and it’s the name Maserati applies to all its EV variants.

Sharing its platform and triple-motor powertrain with the GranTurisimo Folgore coupe, the headline news is when the GranCabrio arrives next year the 5m-long droptop will pump out an epic 610kW and 1350Nm of torque.

Combined with the large 92.5kWh battery pack, Maserati claims that the GranCabrio can cover up to 447km on a single charge, while topping up at a rate of 270kW means a 20-80 per cent recharge takes as little as 18 minutes.

As well as being rapid to charge, the Maserati convertible can launch from 0-100km/h in a supercar-like 2.8 seconds, while 0-200km/h takes just 9.1sec.

Push on and the four-seat cab tops-out at 290km/h – those figures are impressive until you remember the GranTurismo can go even harder (2.7s/8.8s/325km/h).

Engineers says the extra bracing needed following gas-axing the roof off adds around 80kg and impacts performance.

Both roof up and down, the GranCabrio also generates more drag on the move, hence the lower top speed.

Sharing its folding fabric roof with the combustion version, Maserati says the hood can be dropped in just 18 seconds at speeds of up to 50km/h.

Roof down, there’s just 114 litre boot. Once raised the luggage space expands to around 151 litres.

As standard, the convertible comes with a neck warmer and wind stopper that enables owners to drop the hood even when the temperature falls.

Within, the GranCabrio Folgore share plenty with the coupe version. There’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, configurable head-up display, Maserati digital clock, ambient lighting, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, plus an 8.8-inch climate control touchscreen and ECONYL eco-friendly seat covers.

Riding on air springs and adaptive dampers, like the coupe the Maserati boasts double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear set-up, a hint that it should ride and drive as well as the tin-top.

Reigning in its incredible might and dealing with its 2340kg mass are large Brembo-developed 380mm brake discs up front and 350mm rears.

When it arrives in Australia, the new Maserati GranCabrio will join the recently launched duel motor Grecale Folgore (due here in November) and GranTurismo Folgore coupe as the third EV in the Italian luxury car-maker’s line-up.

However, at this stage, only the Grecale is confirmed for Aussie launch in 2025.

Next year, the famous Trident brand will also debut its MC20 Folgore supercar.