Maserati Grecale Folgore review

I love a loud, throaty V8, especially in a Maserati. However, things are changing, and Maserati has made an extremely quiet all-electric SUV with the Grecale Folgore.

It doesn’t have the roar of a V8, but it does have plenty of power and a smooth design that exceeds what you’d expect from the Italian marque. It’s packed with the same passion, but it’s also a different proposition than the outgoing Maserati petrol-powered range.

Maserati may be heading toward an all-electric future, but the luxury car company is doing it conservatively. Grecale Folgore’s look is fantastically inspired by Trofeo, a conscious move by the brand so as not to alienate its existing customer base. Beneath the gorgeous exterior lies a battery-powered platform that delivers outstanding performance and handling to match, thanks to a powerful 105kW battery, dual electric motors and four-wheel drive.

Prices, specifications and availability

I’ve been driving the Maserati Grecale Folgore in Europe, where the car can be ordered for £109,000 (about $137,000). The upcoming U.S. model will cost around $100,000, but Maserati has yet to officially confirm North American pricing.

design and build

cool but traditional

One of the Grecale Folgore’s greatest strengths is its size, which adds another dimension to any driving experience if you’re driving through slender Italian villages. The electric car has a wheelbase of 114.3 inches and an overall length of 191.5 inches.

My test example looked the part, with a dazzling deep Aurora Metallic Blue finish that stood out in the Italian sun.

The 76.7-inch width is most noticeable when you’re admiring this SUV on downtown streets, but it’s also an upright thing at 65 inches tall. The entire package weighs 5,500 pounds, so it’s a chunky piece of fun.

My test example looked the part, with a dazzling deep Aurora Metallic Blue finish that stood out in the Italian sun. The 21-inch Lampo alloy wheels also add a touch of understated luxury, especially the copper-coloured brake calipers that emerge from the rear. At the same time, the front end is very eye-catching thanks to the headlights and grille. It’s topped with a solid “M” logo centerpiece, leaving those in front of you in no doubt as to what’s about to appear in their rearview mirrors.

innovative interior

cool interior

I spent quite a bit of time in the Grecale Folgore and I have to say, it’s a cool interior. Maserati makes clever use of recycled materials. One, called Econyl, uses old nylon fishing nets and carpets in its production process to recycle some great seat covers. Being made of nylon made me wonder if it would sweat, but it doesn’t.

Most of my test car’s interior was made of “Black and Ice” materials. I love the feeling of being trapped in the cockpit. This effect is heightened by the imposing instrument panel and center console arrangement, coupled with the digital clock. The effect works well with the touchscreen infotainment area immediately below it. The climate controls are located in another panel below.

The highlight, however, is the handsome steering wheel, which boasts a wealth of controls as well as start and drive mode buttons.

I also like the materials used in the center console, which has a split-open storage compartment covered in a contrasting finish. Maserati designers have done a good job integrating all interior elements. The highlight, however, is the handsome steering wheel, which boasts a wealth of controls as well as start and drive mode buttons. You have a digital screen in front of you, and apparently a head-up display is coming in some markets as well.

The rear seats are equally comfortable. Adding to the convenience is a decent level of storage, although the boot isn’t quite roomy. You’ll have access to about 30 cubic feet of space with the seats up, so anyone looking to move large objects will want to consider putting the rear seats down.

Technical breakdown

An unexpected tech treat

The Grecale Folgore is packed with quality, low-profile technology. If you drive, there’s plenty to see in the driving area. It’s easy to miss the chunky paddles in front of the steering wheel, which I use to adjust brake regeneration. It’s not terribly noticeable, but when used on its highest setting, I could almost enjoy one-pedal driving despite the car’s weight.

Elsewhere, the Grecale Folgore comes with a lot of the tech you’d expect, including a surround-view camera, wireless phone charging, a host of driver aids, sports power seats and a 230-volt power socket. However, when I went through the settings in the System Drive Mode area, some unexpected surprises occurred. The Grecale Folgore rides on air suspension, which means when you change the settings, the SUV changes its balance to suit the terrain. It’s not really an off-roader, but the Grecale Folgore is surprisingly adept at handling rough tracks.

The 21-speaker Sonus Faber sound system is fantastic. Speakers are also used to carry engine sounds in the car, and several are mounted on the exterior to create a dynamic-sounding effect. Many individual technologies can be controlled via the steering wheel with buttons. It allows me to change settings on the go without being distracted by the touch screen.

Battery, range and performance

Sufficient battery

The Grecale Folgore features a 105kWh battery pack, ideally suited to the twin 205kW electric motors that drive the wheels. European WLTP range totals 311 miles. However, this is a big and heavy SUV, and depending on which driving mode you choose, actual range can slip into the low 200s. In terms of charging, the 400-volt system has a fast charging rate of 150kW.

It’s a Maserati though, so I’m looking forward to enjoying the show and enjoying what I do. The Grecale Folgore is a quintessential electric car that’s easy to set up and drive. The main driving modes are selected using a row of buttons in the center of the dashboard. You can also scroll through drive mode options using the circular dial located at the base of the plush steering wheel.

Pick up the pace, though, and the Grecale Folgore starts to sound like a true combustion-engined SUV.

I think Maserati’s latest model works best in GT mode, which makes this upright SUV a little more forgiving than in Sport mode. I’d opt for the latter at times, the air suspension being a bit too stiff, especially when dealing with bumpy Italian country roads. GT mode is a perfect compromise. It doesn’t drain the battery but still offers decent performance. If I need to save energy, I can use the maximum range option.

Interestingly, I even detected synthesized engine sounds while in the car. It’s not too noticeable and is barely audible at lower speeds. Pick up the pace, though, and the Grecale Folgore starts to sound like a true combustion-engined SUV.

judgment

The only real problem facing the Maserati Grecale Folgore is competition. For example, the upcoming Porsche Macan Electric offers SUV-like space and performance at a lower cost. In fact, it’s probably about $30,000 cheaper, which makes the Grecale Folgore seem like an expensive treat. However, people buy cars they love, and Maserati fans will love the passion that pervades this car. It may not have a throaty V8, but it’s the real deal.