The Maserati GranTurismo has returned for a second-generation, and although it might look a little familiar, the rest of the car is anything but. Underneath the sleek-looking GT bodywork is a brand-new flexible architecture, which enables the all-new Maserati Gran Turismo to be offered in three distinct flavours: two with a V6 engine, and another with three electric motors.
Dubbed Folgore (Italian for ‘lightning’), the fully-electric GranTurismo will act as the pole bearer for Maserati’s electrification plans, which will phase out combustion power entirely from 2030.
The three in-house-built electric motors are split into one for the front axle, and two for the rear, enabling the car to be driven in rear- and all-wheel drive modes. Each of the three motors is capable of providing 300 kW (408 hp), but due to tuning and optimisation, the total system output at the wheels is rated at 560 kW (761 hp) and 1,350 Nm.
Maserati says the electric powertrain features several technologies derived from Formula E, and with power drawn from a 92.5 kWh (83 kWh usable) battery, the all-new GranTurismo Folgore is able to reach 100 km/h from a standstill in just 2.7 seconds, onward to a top speed of 320 km/h, with a driving range of over 402 km.
RELATED: Maserati teases GranTurismo Folgore – fully-electric GT with over 1,200 hp!
Thanks to 800V high-voltage electrical system, the GranTurismo Folgore supports DC fast charging at up to 270 kW, translating to 100 km of range in just five minutes. The batteries are also arranged in a T-shaped layout instead of a skateboard package to allow for a lower, sportier driving position, while also giving it a perfect 50-50 weight distribution split, even bettering its ICE twin’s 52-48.
As for the two petrol-powered versions, both the GranTurismo Trofeo and Modena will be powered by Maserati’s new Nettuno 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 mill, which first made its debut on the MC20 supercar, although slightly detuned here on the GT – the Modena variant gets 486 hp and 600 Nm, while the Trofeo version offers 557 hp and 650 Nm.
The engine is paired to a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission, alongside an all-wheel drive system on both variants to send power to all four wheels. In terms of performance, 0-100 km/h sprint times are rated at 3.9 seconds for the Modena, and 3.5 seconds on the Trofeo. Top speed meanwhile is rated at 302 km/h and 320 km/h respectively.
ALSO READ: The Maserati MC20 is the brand’s most important car in modern times
While the all-new GranTurismo shares a similar design with the previous-gen model – a conscious decision from Maserati’s designers – the company says the two share no body panels.
It still has the characteristic long bonnet, low ride height, and cab-back stance, even on the fully-electric model, but it’s also received some more modern design touches, such as the new ‘Cofango’ bonnet, and the vertical-oriented headlights and slim taillights, to more resemble the marque’s latest models.
Styling differences between the ICE and EV variants are basically only limited to the subtly tweaked front bumper, as well as the removal of the quad tailpipe exits at the back. The EV version also comes with a smaller boot, due to the electric motors at the back.
All three versions feature staggered 20- and 21-inch alloy wheels, with the Folgore’s designed specifically for aerodynamics, which helps improve its drag coefficient by up to 7%. The Folgore also features an air inlet between the bumper and wheel arch, which is said to help reduce wind noise.
The interior of the all-new Maserati GranTurismo hasn’t been revealed just yet, but the company says that it’s designed in the same vein as the MC20 and Grecale, and will feature a 12.2-inch digital instrument cluster, alongside four more displays for the infotainment (12.3-inch), climate control panel, a head-up display, and a small digital clock – like the Grecale – in the centre replacing the marque’s staple analogue unit.
The all-new Maserati GranTurismo is expected to go on sale in the second quarter of 2023, with the Modena and Trofeo versions arriving first. The electric Folgore will go on sale sometime after that, but Maserati didn’t provide a specific timeline.
GALLERY
Maserati GranTurismo Folgore
Maserati GranTurismo Modena
Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo
