Maserati is making the shift from high-revving V8s to silent electric motors at rapid pace. In just four years the brand will transition fully to electric power only, leaving its legacy powertrains in the past.
That’s a tall order for a marque that doesn’t even have a plug-in hybrid in its line-up. Coupled with a dealer network that predominantly deals with high-end performance petrol cars – it’s not just Maserati’s customers that will need to re-adjust.
Much of the behind-the-scenes work has already been done, in conjunction with Maserati’s new corporate identity (CI), to ensure dealers are ready to sell the new models.
Corporate customers will play a key part, as the new electric models stand to benefit business owners when it comes to tax. Although Maserati remains adamant that it won’t entertain discounts or volume sales.
Of the three electric models already unveiled, it’s the Grecale that’s predicted to be the best-seller. Joining it are the Gran Turismo and Gran Cabrio, both firsts in their respective classes.
Based entirely on the existing SUV that launched in 2022, the Grecale Folgore swaps pistons for resistors and does away with exhaust tailpipes as it packs in a fully electric powertrain.
Electric Maseratis use the ‘Folgore’ moniker to differentiate themselves from ICE models. The Italian word means ‘lightning’.
There are no major styling changes, just a slightly different grille and some new alloy wheel designs. If you want your EV to fly under the radar, then this will fit the bill.
On the inside, the regular Grecale’s high-end interior is carried over. Even the weighted metal gearshift paddles have been re-purposed to control the regenerative braking function.
The dashboard contains a pair of touchscreen displays which contain the infotainment and climate controls. A third display sits in front of the driver, as an instrument cluster. The user interface looks a little messy at first glance but it’s pretty straightforward to use.
The cabin is plush, comfortable and offers the type of refinement you’d expect from a premium car – especially at higher speeds.
The Grecale Folgore is equipped with a dual motor powertrain that develops 557PS and 820Nm of torque. A 105kWh (97kWh useable) battery supplies enough energy for a 310-mile range (WLTP).
As a result, the car is suitably rapid. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 4.1 seconds and power delivery is instant when you floor the throttle.
The Grecale is a big and heavy car, tipping the scales at almost 2.5-tonnes. Its air suspension does a reasonable job of mitigating body roll and you can firm things up using the drive mode controls on the steering wheel.
In any setting the steering remains light and extremely quick, making the Grecale feel particularly nimble and eager to change direction. The front end does exhibit a degree of torque steer under full power, however, requiring a firm grasp on the steering wheel.
Thankfully the throttle pedal is easy to modulate, making it easier to control the power reserves.
Things settle down on the motorway, where the car feels more at home as a cruiser while retaining the satisfying ability to separate itself from tailing vehicles in a split second.
Our testing suggests that around 260 miles of driving is possible from a single charge.
The battery can charge at 150kW, enabling a 20% to 80% top up in 29 minutes. It also supports AC charging at up to 22kW.
Maserati is limiting the Grecale Folgore to just one trim level, with a starting price of £109,905.
It puts the car in a conflicting position as Porsche is offering the new electric Macan in a variety of derivatives, priced from £67,200. Even the range topping Turbo model is £15 grand cheaper than the Grecale.
There’s also a number of electric SUVs that are significantly faster than the Grecale Folgore, such as the BMW iX M60, Lotus Eletre R and Mercedes AMG EQE 53. While these are dearer, it leaves Maserati somewhere in the middle ground.
The Grecale is not the quickest, cheapest or the most capable electric SUV, but it is well equipped, good looking and undoubtedly exclusive.