- Maserati’s all-electric Folgore lineup grows with the gorgeous new GranCabrio convertible, which will likely be a 2025 model.
- Based on the GranTurismo Folgore, the GranCabrio version boasts a tri-motor electric powertrain with 818 horsepower.
- Curvaceous sheetmetal and a posh cabin make the GranCabrio Folgore a real stunner. Expect a six-figure price tag and an on-sale date by year’s end.
The weather man in Maserati’s hometown of Modena better be calling for a blue-sky summer because the Italian luxury automaker’s latest EV is a soft-top convertible called GranCabrio Folgore. While the gas-powered GranCabrio debuted back in February in the waning days of winter, Maserati today pulled the covers off the Folgore variant in sunny Rimini, Italy.
Meet the GranCabrio, a Gorgeous Droptop
The GranCabrio Folgore, which is expected to be a 2025 model, is the electric variant of the gas-powered GranCabrio and is closely related to the GranTurismo Folgore coupe. So closely, in fact, that the two cars share a sculptural exterior design and an 818-hp electric powertrain.
Powering its three electric motors is an 83.0-kWh battery pack. And we expect the powertrain to provide nearly identical performance to that of the GranTurismo Folgore. That suggests a 60-mph time of 2.7 seconds, a quarter-mile run under 11.0 seconds, and a driving-range estimate around 240 miles per charge.
Like its coupe twin, the GranCabrio Folgore uses the brand’s 800-volt architecture and uniquely shaped battery pack that’s not a flat-panel typical of EVs. Instead, this T-shaped pack is designed to fit inside what would otherwise be the transmission and driveline tunnel, helping to avoid the sort of tall-in-the-saddle seating height of EV cars with the traditional layout.
The electric GranCabrio’s cabin includes a premium ambiance, eco-friendly materials, and desirable tech features. The soft top quickly folds at speeds up to 31 mph and is designed to stow in the most compact shape possible to preserve trunk space. Passenger room is plentiful in the front seat, but although the rear seats are capable of fitting adult riders, we suspect most won’t find it particularly comfortable.
While leather is available, the GranCabrio Folgore comes standard with a silky-feeling upholstery on the seats made from Econyl, a synthetic fiber made from recycled nylon, which also features laser-etched perforations that create an eye-catching design. If you’re hoping to enjoy a top-down cruise under the stars, Maserati has fitted neck warmers to the two front seats in case you get chilly.
The front seats offer 18-way adjustability and a leather-wrapped steering wheel features brushed-aluminum paddle shifters and a start-stop button on the left spoke. A 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and separate touch-controlled climate functions are standard, as is a 12.2-inch digital gauge cluster, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (both wireless), a head-up display, and a 16-speaker Sonus Faber sound system; a 19-speaker Sonus Faber stereo is optional.
A staggered wheel-and-tire package is standard, with 20-inch front wheels on 265-section-width tires and 21-inch rear wheels on 295-section-width tires. No less than six different wheel designs are offered, which are also available in four different finishes. Low rolling-resistance tires are optional and designed to improve range, but we suspect that will come at a cost to cornering grip.
Driver-assistance features are on the menu too, with the GranCabrio’s front Trident logo hiding a sensor for adaptive cruise control. Automated emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, and a 360-degree exterior camera system are also standard.
There aren’t any other convertible electric vehicles on the market today, unless you count the plug-in-hybrid Jeep Wrangler 4xe (we don’t). That makes the GranCabrio Folgore a unique prospect. Prepare to pay dearly for it, though, as we expect this stunner to start around $220,000. It’s expected to reach dealer showrooms near the end of this year or in early 2025.
Drew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.