Maserati GranTurismo Folgore: Dive into Ballistic EV

Last week, Italian luxury automaker Maserati didn’t just open the lid Its next generation GranTurismo coupe, but doing so also showcased the fastest accelerating car ever.

Meet the GranTurismo Folgore EV.

This is Maserati’s first all-electric model, capable of breaking through the standard 0-100km/h speed in an astounding 2.7 seconds. By comparison, the brand of Supercar MC20 with Nettuno engine takes all 2.9 seconds for the same run.

The Folgore will also hit 200km/h in 8.8 seconds, while the EV’s top speed is claimed to be 320km/h plus, equal to the Trofeo petrol version.

Maserati recently announced it fully electric by 2030 and there will be at least one all-electric variant for every model in the lineup by 2025.

Driven by a total of three 300kW permanent magnet electric motors, one at the front and two at the rear, the GranTurismo Folgore produces a combination of 610kW of maximum power (on overboost) and 1350Nm of peak torque.

Like other high-performance EVs with many electric motors, Folgore’s power supplies are built on state-of-the-art 800-volt technology to unleash significant power and deliver fast charging times.

The whole car is a clean Maserati design, including engines that achieve a higher power density (9.2kW/kg), thanks to the use of a silicon carbide (SiC) inverter borrowed from Formula One. E.

The 92.5kWh battery pack itself weighs just under 600kg and has a discharge capacity of 560kW, which is continuously transmitted to the electric motors.

But the shape and design of the battery pack is unique to Folgore and is the main reason it is considered the lowest electric car on the market.

Maserati dubbed it T-BoneThis avoids the usual practice of placing battery modules under the seats by moving them around the center tunnel, which has allowed for a very low H-spot in the car and an overall height of just 1353mm.

To give some perspective, the low-profile Tesla Model 3 Performance measures 1443mm tall, while the upcoming Hyundai Ionic 6 (praised for its lean design with low height) measures 1495mm tall.

Maserati also says handling and agility are two of the Folgore’s key assets, and points out that its smaller inertial tension is created by positioning much of the vehicle’s mass. close to the roller. It means that the shape of the shaft in the battery allows for faster direction changes compared to cars with a battery-based layout.

Better yet, the second-generation Maserati GranTurismo is also blessed with a 50:50 weight distribution for the Folgore, while the ICE versions are 52:48 for comparison.

Likewise, the two rear motors are independent of each other, since there is no traditional gearbox to connect the wheels, which transfers torque to each side, independently of each other. In the Folgore, the torque vectoring system is more variable than that on the ICE versions, although the entire range is all-wheel drive.

The GranTurismo Folgore can allocate 100% of the power to the rear axle, even when driven only in rear-wheel drive configuration or up to 294kW to one rear wheel.

Single-pedal steering is also possible, with the Folgore able to generate up to 0.65g during braking for optimal conditions in the vehicle’s peak 400kW charge rates.

The battery-electric Folgore also has its own four driving modes: Max Range, GT, Sport and Corsa.

In Max Range, it’s all about saving power, recommended when the battery level drops below 16% without the device charging immediately. This mode limits top speed to 130km/h, dials throttle response and reduces the power of the climate control system.

Maserati claims the Folgore’s maximum range is 450 km using the WLTP test cycle, while a full tank of gas in the petrol versions is 650 km.

GT is Folgore’s default driving mode for what Maserati claims is an authentic all-round driving experience, although peak power is limited to 80%, with some in-car sounds recognizable. see.

Sport allows for spirited driving on public roads with 100% available power and stiffer adaptive suspension for increased handling loads. Torque vectoring technology also reduces any motor drag in both fast and extended runs, and also has more noise. The driver can also enable launch control in this mode as well as in race mode.

Corsa The (Race) mode releases the maximum available power from the Folgore 800 volt power supply as well as minimizing the stability control system. This mode also enhances all key controls, including throttle response and torque distribution from all three engines. In addition, the suspension stiffens and the ride height is lowered.

The Corsa also allows the driver to make further adjustments via the drive mode controls on the infotainment display for situations ranging from wet surface performance to maximum drift angle.

Furthermore, on-road powertrain management is carried out using Max boost and Endurance, allowing to achieve all-round performance on the road for a long time by managing the vehicle’s temperature. Finally, the Folgore’s regen brake level can be set to any one of four levels using the paddle shifters.

Despite the all-electric powertrain, Maserati claims they have created a “comprehensive audio experience”, by engineers at Maserati Innovation Labs, who used the Sonus sound system. faber 3D 1195W, 19 speakers to achieve a ‘signature’ Maserati audio experience exclusive to Folgore.

Design-wise, Maserati says it bears no difference from the previous generation GranTurismo, although at first glance the car looks very similar. However, the new model measures 24mm lower, 20mm wider, with a 24mm lower hip point for a sleeker look.

The car maintains instantly recognizable proportions, including its long bonnet and sloping roofline. There is now more emphasis on the curve of the C-pillar, characteristic of a more elegant version of the latest Trident logo.

The GranTurismo is built on Maserati’s latest architecture, leveraging lightweight materials such as aluminum (70%), magnesium and high-strength steel for the best-in-class weight advantage, including Folgore EV.

It’s no surprise that the new GranTurismo looks more polished, thanks to the all-new front fascia that sees the bonnet combined with the front fenders, giving the appearance of a single clamshell-style dashboard which Maserati calls ‘cofango’. It is a gate made up of both cofango (bonnet) and parafango (fender), and refers to a component made up of two parts.

Maserati claims the surface area of cofango market leader 3.0 million² uses industrial molds to create GranTurismo’s more rounded panels.

Like all versions of the GranTurismo, the Folgore borrows design cues from the MC20 supercar, including the vertical headlights and the 3D Trident logo on the grille. The grille itself is unique to the EV with glossy black inserts on a black background in partially anodized silk.

Gloss black is added to the splitter, door handles, daytime running lights and rear handlebars, while Trident’s logos and lettering, including ‘Maserati’, ‘Folgore’ and ‘GranTurismo’ are in dark bronze.

It’s the combination of a Folgore-specific detector, diamond-cut gloss black wheels and a front diffuser that contributes to a 7% improvement in drag coefficient (0.26) over the petrol-powered version of the GranTurismo. (0,28). And, to reduce wind noise inside the wheel arches, there is an air intake placed between the bumper and the wheel arches.

For some viewing angles, the MC20 has a_X 0.38, which is not all good, could be the result of additional cooling intakes designed to let the Jettison radiate heat in the engine compartment.

The rear LED taillight is also new, although it is a mix of Maserati’s classic boomerang design and the iconic pole, giving the effect of an overall lower profile.

The Folgore is also equipped with the same wheels and tires as the petrol versions (front – 265/35 ZR20, rear – 295/30 ZR21), although the rubber has a slightly lower profile at the front. The wheel itself is an Aero design to reduce turbulence at speed through better airflow.

Braking hardware remains the same across the entire GranTurismo lineup, with 380mm six-piston Brembo brakes up front and four-piston 350mm stoppers at the rear. That’s despite the Folgore gaining weight at 2260kg, 456kg more than the petrol version.

Folgore also has its own launch color, Rame Folgore from Maserati’s custom program Fuoriserie – an iridescent paint color inspired by the facade of the Guggenheim in Bilbao, where bronze co-exists with the bluish-gray tone created by different pigments in the paint.

Additionally, Folgore is available in any of six colors in the standard GranTurismo palette including Bianco, Grigio Maratea, Grigio Maratea Matte, Nero Ribelle, Blu Emozione and Blu Nobile.

Other colors in the Fuoriserie line, including PrimaSerie Launch Edition, Grigio Cangiante, Rosso Granturismo and Giallo Corsa complete the specialized selection.

Inside, the GranTurismo looks to mirror the same screen configuration as Maserati’s all-new SUV, the Grecale (factory photos won’t be released until January 2023), using multiple screens, including 12.3-inch central touchscreen, 8.8-inch lower climate control screen, along with a configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.

There’s also a head-up display, along with a digital rear view camera borrowed from the MC20 halo car. Like the Grecale, the GranTurismo also features a digital version of Maserati’s trademark dashboard-mounted clock that is not only multifunctional, but also responds to “Hey Maserati” voice commands to do things like set the cabin temperature.

GranTurismo uses the Android operating system for the multimedia platform with high-speed data transfer for up to five user profiles, though passengers can still use Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for access. Wire personalized smartphone apps.

With Maserati Connect, GranTurismo owners can also control their car at home, stay connected on the road, Maserati Guard, update software over the air in addition to phone mirroring.

There’s also an all-new heated steering wheel for the GranTurismo, Folgore-exclusive denim, and there are dark aluminum start/stop and mode buttons and gearshift paddles.

Two interior themes are available for the Folgore: a light Ice/Denim version or black upholstery and contrasting brass stitching. The 18-way adjustable seats are built on a lightweight frame, with integrated headrests and heating and cooling systems.

There is also a sustainable fabric option called Econyl, made from recycled netting from the world’s oceans similar to bodysuit material, combined with a laser treatment.

As well as rear legroom has increased by 46mm, trunk capacity has increased by 20% to 310 liters in petrol cars, while the Folgore is slightly less at 270L.

Local pricing and specifications for the new GranTurismo lineup will be announced closer to the launch date in the second half of 2023.

THAN: Maserati is flying, and we should all be grateful