The Maserati GranTurismo super-GT has been spotted charging in California ahead of its official debut and a local launch in Australia next year.
A prototype of the all-electric Maserati Granturismo Folgore has been spotted without any camouflage, giving us a final good look at the super-coupe’s design before it’s officially revealed in the coming months. The new GranTurismo is on track to launch in Australia next year, Maserati has previously told us.
These exclusive images sent to Automotive Daily Network partner Autocar show Maserati’s first electric car charging at the side of the road in California, where it is thought to be appearing at a secret event on the fringes of Monterey Car Week. Clearly, the design is an evolution of that of the previous Granturismo’s, with little clue as to its electric underpinnings – so presumably the electric ‘Folgore’ and expected petrol V6 variants will be all but identical.
Previous official images, released by Maserati, showed the Granturismo Folgore taking to the streets ahead of the 2022 Rome E-Prix, where it took centre stage at an event to mark the Italian firm’s new partnership with Rokit Venturi racing in the Formula E electric single-seater championship.
The electric Granturismo Folgore was previously spotted lapping a private test facility in Italy last year. It was then pictured with quad rear exhausts, indicating that it was a petrol-powered version.
Meanwhile, official ‘spy shots’ for the ICE model were released by Maserati earlier this year. Modena remains tight-lipped on what lies under the bonnet of the combustion car, but the new Nettuno V6, as fitted to the MC20 supercar and the top-rung Maserati Grecale Trofeo, is the most likely fit.
The Granturismo is also set to follow the Ghibli and Levante in adopting a hybrid option, but its positioning makes their mild-hybrid 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine an unlikely option, so it is a possibility that Maserati will hybridise the Nettuno motor.
And in a clip (below), last year, Maserati previewed the sound of the Folgore’s electric powertrain.
The music is changing.
We are testing our first 100% electric engine, fully developed by our #MaseratiInnovationLab.#MaseratiMMXXI
Read more: https://t.co/AqdHRx89CV pic.twitter.com/MtUlm6eFyq— Maserati (@Maserati_HQ) January 23, 2020
The Maserati GranTurismo has underlying brilliance, marred by frustrating niggles. But it’s the first Maser for an age that you don’t need excuses to buy.
Technical details remain unconfirmed, but the electric variant will no doubt be the quickest and most potent in the Granturismo line-up. Maserati has already confirmed that the electric version of the Grecale SUV will pack up to 800Nm and a 105kWh battery – which could be expected to make for a 0-100km/h time of around 4.5sec and a range of more than 550km. The lower-slung and probably lighter Granturismo will no doubt be slightly quicker and longer-legged, with the same underpinnings.
Maserati says that it’s working to ensure the EV’s powertrain has “a distinctive sound, already a unique attribute of all Maserati cars equipped with traditional combustion engines”. It’s not yet clear how this will be achieved, but it’s unlikely that the firm will artificially recreate the noise of its V6 or V8 engines.
The electric Granturismo and Grecale will launch in 2023, while a promised third EV due next year is likely to be the drop-top Grancabrio grand tourer – technically identical to the Granturismo. Electric versions of the Quattroporte, Levante and MC20 will follow by 2025 – in line with Modena’s plan to phase out combustion models over the next three years.
Speaking to Automotive Daily in Melbourne last week during the unveiling of the first Grecale locally, Maserati Australia general manager Grant Barling said the model has had “the most interest” and “hopefully we’ll see it at the end of next year.”
Felix Page