First ever electric 2023 Maserati GranTurismo M189 is also the last with a full petrol option
The first ever 100% electric Maserati is also the last with a full petrol option. Here are all the secrets of the new GranTurismo.
Modena’s New GT
Story by Chris Rees
Image by Maserati
Gosh, how I loved Maserati’s first-generation GranTurismo. Classically elegant looks, superlative cabin, mile-munching cruiseability and a V8 soundtrack to die for.
Tough act to follow? For sure. Now, finally, here we are: the all-new second-generation GranTurismo’s secrets are bared for all to see. So what can we expect?
Well, the V8 is now history for the GranTurismo. In its place are two new powerplants: Nettuno V6 petrol or Folgore full-electric – the latter Maserati’s first ever full battery electric vehicle (BEV). The five-year development programme sees a completely new architecture, designed for both electric and petrol, using lots of lightweight aluminium and magnesium – although no carbonfibre – plus steel for critical areas (over 65% of the car is aluminium). Overall weight is 1795kg in petrol guise (the lightest four-seat coupe in the luxury class) or a heftier 2260kg for the BEV model.
UNDER THE BONNET
While the GranTurismo makes waves as the first ever full-electric Maserati, it’s also historic as the last all-new Maserati with a full-petrol option. The latter uses a detuned version of the MC20’s Nettuno 3.0-litre V6 twin-turbo, available in two forms: 490hp (badged Modena) and 550hp (Trofeo). The electric Folgore gets 761hp. The new GT is also the first Maserati coupe ever with all-wheel drive, whichever powertrain you choose. The 2992cc V6 Nettuno engine has a wet sump rather than the MC20’s dry one. Maserati claims it delivers both docility and ultra-high performance when required. The stats are 0-62mph in 3.9sec for the Modena and 3.5sec for the Trofeo, with top speeds of 188mph and 199mph respectively.
All-wheel drive is standard, with the front differential positioned in line with the engine and allowing for a low engine installation, with benefits for centre of gravity and mass distribution.
The Folgore has triple electric motors, one up front and two at the rear. While the total ‘installed power’ is over 1200hp, the ‘usable’ figure that’s delivered to the wheels is limited by the size of the batteries to 761hp. That’s still enough to reach 62mph in 2.7sec and max out at 199mph.
Specifically designed for Maserati, the motors use inverters derived from Formula E racing. The two rear motors are decoupled (i.e. there’s no transmission to interconnect the wheels), which means up to 400hp can be independently directed to either side – effectively an electronic torque vectoring differential. And up to 100% of power can be directed to the rear wheels alone if required.
The battery pack has a ‘T-Bone’ shape through the centre tunnel, unlike most rivals whose batteries are slung under the seats. The main benefits of this are a lower seating position and mass sited tight to the roll axis, enhancing cornering agility. The battery is produced at the Mirafiori factory and has a capacity of 92.5kWh (83kWh usable). It can be recharged at up to 270kW commercially, or up to 22kW at home.
HANDLING
Maserati is promising “best-in-class handling” thanks to a new electronic Vehicle Domain Control Module (VDCM). There are four driving modes: Comfort, GT, Sport and Corsa, plus an additional ESC-OFF option. These are selected via the steering wheel, with additional air suspension settings also selectable from here. GT is the default mode on start-up, with a “discreet” exhaust note. Comfort mode favours softer settings, while Sport beefs up the exhaust sound, sharpens the gearbox, firms up the suspension and eases off the traction control. Corsa mode quickens the responses of the engine and gearbox, and beefs up the damping. Oh, and there’s a Launch Control mode, too.
In the Folgore version, Comfort mode is replaced by an energy-saving Max Range mode. The Fologore’s GT mode caps power at 80%, boosted in Sport mode to 100%, while the sounds change, torque vectoring minimises understeer and the traction control is freer. In Corsa mode, the driver can adjust torque vectoring and traction control to their wishes.
HOW WILL IT SOUND?
Maserati has always offered some of the best-sounding cars on the planet. Will the new GranTurismo live up to this billing? We’ve criticised the Nettuno for its rather insipid sound, but with different intake and exhaust systems, the GranTurismo should have its own distinct soundtrack.
The Folgore faces the challenge of making electric motors sound like a pukka Maserati. The natural acoustics of the electric motors have been digitally shaped to conjure “the typical sound of a Maserati V8”, the company told Auto Italia. The idea of an artificially synthesised soundtrack rings alarm bells for the editorial team but we’ll have to experience it ourselves before casting judgement. Encouragingly, Maserati says its speakers – up to 19 of them on the inside and three on the outside – will be high-quality.
DESIGN
It’s surprising, perhaps, just how much the new one looks like the previous, Pininfarina-penned GranTurismo of 2007. But then, everyone loved that, and it sold very well: up to the end of production in 2019, some 40,520 were built (28,805 GranTurismos and 11,715 GranCabrios). If it ain’t broke and all… But it is entirely new – 14mm longer, 20mm wider but 24mm lower than before. The vertical headlights adopt Maserati’s latest look, while the LED taillights juggle classic ‘boomerang’ and new ‘harpoon’ shapes. Four different wheel designs are on offer, the fronts measuring 20 inches in diameter and the rears 21in, with no fewer than seven different brake calliper colour options.
Speaking of colours, six are available at launch: Bianco, Grigio Maratea, Grigio Maratea Matte, Nero Ribelle, Blu Emozione and Blu Nobile. You can also go mad with Fuoriserie customisation options.
Aerodynamically, the figures look good: a Cd of 0.28 for the V6 and 0.26 for the Folgore. The standard air springs have ‘attitude control’ to adapt to conditions, for instance lowering the car to maximise downforce in Corsa mode. You can also raise the ride height by 25mm to clear road humps at low speeds.
INSIDE THE CABIN
Maserati has a big reputation to maintain in terms of cabin ambience. It won’t unveil the interior until early 2023 but it says there will be two large touchscreens (a 12.3in main display and an 8.8in ‘comfort’ display), plus a 12.2in digital panel ahead of the driver. For the latter, you can select four different themes: Classic, Evolved, Relaxed and Corsa. There are no buttons in the centre tunnel at all, while the lack of a gear lever frees up extra space.
Maserati hasn’t forgotten its traditional clock, although that’s now digital with Classic, Design and Sport themes and four meter choices (compass, g-force, acceleration and stopwatch). The cabin will feature “dynamically styled” door panels and a contrasting coloured upper area above the main dash. Maserati says everything you touch – leather, wood, metal, carbonfibre – is “real”. The steering wheel incorporates a start button and drive mode controls, while brushed aluminium gearchange paddles sit behind it.
Despite the lower roof height, there’s actually 20mm more rear headroom than the old model because passengers sit lower down. The seats are described as “sporty yet comfortable”, with built-in headrests and lightweight frames. One final word on the boot: at 310 litres, it offers 20% more space than the previous generation, although the Folgore only gets 270 litres.
LAUNCH RANGE
The entry-level 490hp Modena has a black-and-chrome front grille and handles, chrome-plated window surrounds and exhaust tips, grey ash wood cabin trim and leather upholstery. The more performance-focused 550hp Trofeo features forged wheels, specific front splitters, carbonfibre sideskirts and rear bumper. Inside, perforated leather trim with a herringbone motif covers the dashboard and seats, with contrasting stitching in yellow, red or grey.
The 761hp Folgore is identified by its gloss black grille, splitters and handles, plus dark copper lettering and logos. There are some aerodynamic tweaks, like unique splitters, front diffusers, air inlet between bumper and wheelarch, and diamond-cut, gloss-black ‘aero’ wheels. Inside, there’s ‘Econyl’ recycled nylon fabric and a leather dashboard.
HOW MUCH?
Exact pricing has yet to be confirmed but the V6 version will start at around £150,000 when it goes on sale in the first half of 2023. The Folgore, due in mid-2023, will be more like £200,000. As for the GranCabrio convertible, expect that to cost even more when it’s revealed in late 2023.
New Maserati GranTurismo At A Glance
Full-electric and V6 petrol versions761hp for Folgore electric490-550hp for V6 petrolAll-wheel drive across the rangeLonger, wider, lower than first-gen65% aluminium constructionModena, Trofeo and Folgore modelsModena (490hp)Folgore (761hp)
Trofeo (above and right)) has full-fat V6 but full-electric Folgore has 38% more power. All-wheel drive is standard across range
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS MASERATI GRANTURISMO MODENA TROFEO FOLGORE
- ENGINE: 2992cc V6 turbo 2992cc V6 turbo 3 x 300kW electric motors
- BORE x STROKE: 88mm x 82mm 88mm x 82mm N/A
- MAX POWER: 490hp at 6500rpm 550hp at 6500rpm 761hp
- MAX TORQUE: 600Nm at 3000rpm 650Nm at 3000rpm 1350Nm
- TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic, AWD 8-speed automatic, AWD 1-speed automatic, AWD
- SUSPENSION: Double wishbones, air springs (front), multi-link, air springs (rear)
- BRAKES: Ventilated discs, 380x34mm (front), 350x28mm (rear)
- TYRES: 265/30 ZR20 (fr), 295/30 ZR21 ® 265/30 ZR20 (fr), 295/30 ZR21 ® 265/30 ZR20 (fr), 265/35 ZR20 ®
- DIMENSIONS: 4959mm (L), 2113mm (W), 1353mm (H) 4966mm (L), 2113mm (W), 1353mm (H) 4959mm (L), 2113mm (W), 1353mm (H)
- BOOT CAPACITY: 310 litres 310 litres 270 litres
- WEIGHT: 1795kg 1795kg 2260kg
- MAX SPEED: 188mph 199mph 199mph
- 0-62MPH: 3.9sec 3.5sec 2.7sec
- 0-124MPH: 13.0sec 11.4sec