Maserati announced the new Grecale at the beginning of 2022, and next to the traditional gas-powered models, it will also be offered as an all-electric Folgore. In fact, the Folgore - which means "lightning" in Italian, will become an entire 100% electric vehicle lineup built by Maserati. The Grecale Folgore is the first to arrive under the name, and it should go on sale in late 2023. The model promises impressive performance figures, top-segment highway autonomy, best-in-class charging experience, and an exceptional driving experience. The model will be priced from about $75,000, which will make it one of the most affordable luxury compact electric SUVs on the market, and will be offered in three trims: GT, Modena, and Trofeo.
10 Enough Power To Take On The BMW iX And The Porsche Macan EV
The new Maserati Grecale Folgore is built on an evolution of Stellantis's Giorgio platform - also used for the ICE-powered Grecale and models like the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia. There are no details on the powertrain just yet, but rumors suggest the Grecale Folgore will be powered by two electric motors - one on each axle - that will deliver anywhere between 500 and 550 horsepower in the base trim and 590 pound-feet of torque. This should be enough power to easily take on models like the BMW iX or the future Porsche Macan EV. As a reminder, the first one is offered in two trims: iX xDrive50 which delivers a total of 516 horsepower, and iX M60 with a combined 610 horsepower. As for the future Macan EV, it will deliver anywhere between 600 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque.
9 It Will Be One Of The Cheapest Luxury Electric SUVs
With the ICE-powered Grecale starting from $63,500, we expect the Grecale Folgore to go on sale at a starting price of about $75,000. There will be three trims to choose from: GT, Modena, and Trofeo, with the high-end trim to go at around $95,000. This will make the Grecale Folgore a lot more affordable than the BMW iX, priced at $85,095 in the base xDrive50 trim and at $109,895 for the M60 trim. As for the future Macan EV, it is believed that it will start from around $80,000 for the base trim and will go up to $100,000 for the high-end GTS.
8 Maserati Grecale Folgore Range And Charging Capabilities
Range is another mystery when it comes to the Grecale Folgore, but Maserati did promise it will come with a big 105.0-kWh battery pack that will offer a range of 300 – 350 miles, and it will be “top of its segment when it comes to highway autonomy”. In comparison, the BMW iX has a range of 324 miles for the iX xDrive50 and 280 miles for the iX M60. The future Porsche Macan EV will deliver the same 300 miles of range. The Grecale Folgore will also benefit from fast charging capabilities, but it will only have a 400 Volt system, which means it won’t be as quick as the upcoming Macan Electric’s 800-volts. On the other hand, Maserati promises it “will have best-in-class charging experience both for public charging and for home charging.”
7 "Everyday Exceptional" Driving Experience
The future Grecale Folgore aims at customers that are fans of zero emissions but also want to enjoy the performance expected from a Maserati model. The model promises to deliver an “everyday exceptional” experience, an uncompromising dynamic comfort, and will “deliver performance and feed the passion for driving breath-taking cars.” While there is no word on the car’s performance figures, we know that the entry-level Grecale Folgore will hit a top speed of 124 mph. It will be offered with tech features that will maximize traction and performance and will adjust the car's driving dynamics to the road and the driver's driving style.
6 The Grecale Folgore Trofeo Promises Best-In Class Performance Figures
Before getting too excited, you need to know the Grecale Folgore Trofeo will not benefit from the same electric powertrain as the GranTurismo Folgore. The latter will be powered by three electric motors that will deliver a combined 750 horsepower and not 1,200 as initially thought. However, Maserati announced this powertrain will be limited to only the GranTurismo Folgore, which means that the Grecale Folgore Trofeo will be powered by the same dual-motor setup as the rest of the lineup but with the output increased to about 680 horsepower. This should be enough to sprint the SUV from 0 to 60 mph in about three seconds - making it one of the fastest electric SUVs on the market. If the numbers are accurate, it means the Trofeo will be faster than the BMW iX M60 that needs 3.2 seconds to go from 0 to 60 mph.
5 Unique Touches Will Set The Grecale Folgore Apart
Unsurprisingly, the Grecale Folgore will feature the same overall exterior design as its ICE counterpart, but with a few touches that will make it unique. The exterior design is inspired by the movements of a ballerina, a concept that, according to Maserati, gives the car a natural dynamism. Up front, the Folgore features a concave closed-off grille with curved vertical slats and specially-designed air intakes on the bumper accented by a glossy black decorative decal. A special touch on the Folgore model is the "Rame Folgore" exterior finish - a special color inspired by the façade of the Guggenheim in Bilbao. The 20-inch “aero” wheels also feature a special design.
4 The Folegore's Sonus Faber Sound System
One of the coolest features of the future Grecale Trofeo is the Sonus Faber sound system. There will be a choice of two versions: entry-level models will get the 860-watt Premium Audio System with 14 speakers in the cabin, while the Folgore Trofeo will come with the High Premium Audio System version. The latter has a total of 21 speakers and delivers 1285 watts of power. The sound system can be controlled from the center console screen and benefits from a Class D Dual DSP amplifier. The Sonus Faber signature units will also benefit from paper fiber diaphragms, natural materials, and an exclusive speaker design. Special attention was paid to distance and time alignment between the tweeters and mid-range speakers to create the distinctive “Voice of Sonus Faber” (VoS) tone.
3 Screens Everywhere
The Grecale Folgore will inherit the tech features from its gasoline-power brother, with a few adjustments for EV use. This means that the Folgore will benefit from no less than four screens: the classic instrument cluster, the new 12.3 inch instrument panel, a smaller 8.8-inch touch screen that will allow you to control everything about the car, including the system and heating, plus a digital clock with analogue display placed at the top of the dashboard. The latter can also be used as a timer for those moments when you want to take your Grecale to the track. Because of all these screens, there was no need to put physical buttons on the central panel, leaving more room for the spacious armrest, the large storage compartment with double butterfly doors, and the mobile phone charging area. There is also a small touchscreen in the back that will allow passengers to control the three-zone air conditioner to their liking.
2 A Cabin That Cares About The Environment
As expected, the cabin of the Grecale Folgore essentially carries over from the gasoline-powered Grecale, but the standard upholstery is replaced by recycled materials. Maserati will use an innovative material called Econyl that is produced from recycled fishnets recovered from the seas. It will feature a unique laser-cut design inspired by the elegant moves of a ballerina - an approach also used for the exterior design. The same material is also used on the interior of the GranTurismo Folgore – the electric version of the GranTurismo with 1,200 horsepower under its hood. Maserati gives no official numbers just yet, but promises the rear seats will be “remarkably roomy” and they can also be folded down by pressing a button in the boot in order to increase cargo area.
1 It Will Be The Company’s First EV From A Long Series Of Many More To Come
Maserati Grecale went on sale in the second half of 2022, and the Folgore should follow in 2023 as a 2024 model. The Grecale Folgore will be just the first all-electric model Maserati plans to unveil, as the plan is for its entire lineup to offer a pure electric variant by 2025. Like many other automakers, by 2030, Maserati will stop selling gasoline-power models and only offer EVs in its lineup. 2023 will also see the launch of the GranTursimo and GranCabrio Folgore, while in 2025 you should expect Folgore trims for the MC20, the Quattroporte, and the Levante.