What's all this about?

This is the new Maserati GranTurismo, unveiled nearly three years after the last one ceased production. Unlike its predecessor, it isn’t powered by a V8 but by two alternatives: Maserati’s twin-turbo Nettuno V6, or three electric motors.

Three?

Yes, the all-electric version is known as the Folgore (which is Italian for lightning) and its 92.5kWh battery supplies power to three 300kW motors – one at the front and two at the rear – providing a continuous power output of 760hp. That’s not the Folgore’s full potential though: with the right settings, the driver can summon up a whole 1,200hp which is enough to propel the Folgore from 0-62mph in 2.7 seconds.

Won't that dent the range a bit?

Definitely, although Maserati hasn’t given a range figure for the Folgore just yet. The fact that the electric model is seven per cent more aerodynamic than its petrol-powered counterparts (it has a drag coefficient of 0.26 versus 0.28) thanks to specially designed wheels and splitters should help things in that regard, as will the selectable driving modes geared towards maximising the distance between recharging stops. Because of the 800-volt electric architecture, charging at up to 270kW is possible at a suitable charger, and that should make long motorway journeys all the more viable.

The old V8 sounded so good though...

For those who’ll miss the sound of the old Ferrari/Maserati V8, according to Maserati: “the natural acoustic dynamics of the electric motors driven by the inverters have been digitally shaped and integrated with the typical sound taken from the Maserati V8 tradition,” or, in other words, there’ll be a synthesised V8-ish sound piped into the cabin.

What about the V6 models?

Compared to the 1,200hp maximum output of the Folgore, the Modena, the more laid-back of the two V6 models makes do with a mere 490hp from its turbocharged 3.0-litre engine. With a bit more of a performance focus is the 550hp Trofeo which using the same engine and eight-speed automatic gearbox can sprint from 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds. A few styling tweaks such as specific front splitters, gloss black grille slats, fully-carbon-fibre side skirts and the carbon-fibre accents in the rear bumper underline the Trofeo’s performance aspirations. All models get meaty Brembo brakes providing plenty of stopping power.

What are the interiors like?

While we can’t speak to their comfort just yet, all versions feature an array of screens: a 12.2-inch driver’s instrument cluster, a 12.3-inch central touchscreen and an 8.0-inch “comfort display”. With the Modena, Trofeo and Folgore all possessing their own different character, that’s also reflected in the interiors. The Modena gets a more traditionally luxurious look with lots of wood and leather; the Trofeo uses sporty-looking perforated leather and a herringbone fabric motif; the Folgore takes a more modern approach with a nylon material made from recycled fishing nets.

When is it arriving?

The new GranTurismo is due for launch next year, with a convertible version, the GranCabrio, also on the way and expected in Modena, Trofeo and Folgore variants too.

David Mullen - 30 Sep 2022