2023 Maserati GranTurismo Folgore Embraces the Sound of Silence

In the United States, outside of the stunning MC20, modern-day Maseratis have a knack for going unnoticed. In small-town Italy, however, the Trident emblem and distinct engine symphonies possess the ability to stop bystanders in their tracks. Approval is delivered via thumbs up from pedestrians. The 2023 Maserati GranTurismo Folgore and its silence bring a new reaction: head-scratching.

Though Maserati's all-new GranTurismo is offered with a potent twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6, the Folgore brings another powertrain option: electric. The Folgore shares the body and styling of the internal-combustion version, with the only differing visual cues being bronze Trident badges and brake calipers and the omission of tailpipes. At rest, there's no valvetrain clatter from under the hood, but a warbling electronic soundtrack broadcasting to onlookers. Heck, the Folgore's hood can only be opened by dealer technicians.

While Folgore's soundtrack won't rattle the bricks of ancient structures in the old world, it represents Maserati's foray into an electric future. Beneath its striking sheet metal, there's a massive wallop of power, courtesy of three electric motors. The Maserati-specific motors—one driving the front axle and two powering the rear—are permanent-magnet synchronous units built by Marelli Motori. Each motor can spin up to 17,500 rpm and is capable of delivering 402 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of thrust. Currently, the maximum combined output is limited to just 818 horsepower. Limiting the motors from their true potential is the 83.0-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Maserati baked more capability into the motors and inverters in preparation for the next advancement in battery technology, which is believed to be a few years away.

Range, You Ask?

Maserati engineered the Folgore to be a performance weapon, with the focus on the range being ancillary. Though the official EPA ratings are still some time away, we estimate the Folgore should travel 240 miles on a charge. Its 800-volt architecture enables electrons to be replenished quickly on a DC fast charger at the peak of 270 kW, and recharging from 20 to 80 percent should take 18 minutes, according to Maserati. The onboard charger will deliver up to 22.0 kW to the pack, meaning the Folgore can take full advantage of the most potent at-home charging equipment.

Behind the wheel in the richly appointed leather cabin, forward visibility is improved over the previous-generation GranTurismo courtesy of reshaped metal and slimmer A-pillars. That's a good thing because the Folgore is capable of blurring the world ahead.

No fewer than four drive modes are selectable by a steering-wheel-mounted knob. Max Range states the obvious, extracting every mile possible from the battery by dialing back power and limiting top speed to 81 mph. The default setting, GT, keeps the standard air springs and electronically controlled dampers relaxed and allow up to 80 percent of the powertrain's output. The real Folgore experience begins with Sport mode, where full power is uncorked and the pumped-in sound is amplified. The synthesized audio track also can be turned off.

Overall, the GranTurismo Folgore is a hellacious coupe with ample space for four adults. And though it lacks the character of the brand's internal-combustion engines, both past and present, it certainly doesn't fall short on speed. We estimate the Folgore to start at $215,000 when it arrives this fall. Whether or not the upcharge over the gas-powered variants is worth it to the Maserati faithful remains to be seen. We think they won't care. It's all about being seen, not heard.