Maserati GranTurismo Folgore wins Best Electric GT at Top Gear Electric Awards 2023
The Maserati GranTurismo Folgore has been named the best Electric GT in the recent Top Gear Electric Awards 2023.
Top Gear commented on its win saying, “Not everyone will get the grand tourer as right as Maserati.”
It is the first sole electric battery vehicle that Maserati has produced. Of course, there are V6 versions of the GranTurismo coming this year also. It seems that Maserati is just testing the water with the Folgore, with the company not yet ready to fully leap, solely, into the world of EVs.
We know that when it comes to Maserati, it is one of the top picks for any frequent grand tourer. The question is: what do we require in a grand tourer? Range, certainly. On a single charge, the Folgore can deliver up to 280 miles. Speed? I suppose it depends on your situation. If your grand tour includes a trip via the autobahn in Germany, it will do 0-62mph in 2.7 seconds.
Despite being heavier than its petrol counterpart at 2.23 tonnes, the ride quality is not detrimentally affected, as it has a very low centre of gravity and steers extremely smoothly.
This four-seat coupé feels bigger too, at 4.9 metres long and 2 metres wide. This means that rather than the back seats being essentially there for aesthetic purposes, they are functional and provide the person sitting in them with room for their legs, long or short. Fancy a trip to the Alps? There are 270 litres of boot space to pop your skis in.
What else do we love about a Maserati? The sound. Okay, this may be a slight problem in the Folgore. However, this is the challenge for not only Maserati, but other manufacturers moving into the EV era, whose petrol engine sounds have been a part of their heritage for decades.
This may have to be a purchase that you would consider carefully, as the price for the Folgore starts at £200,000. If you're looking to save some pounds, perhaps opt for the V6 version at £130,000. Although, I can imagine that the Maserati badge alone will sway plenty into purchasing.
The V6 petrol engine-powered GrandTurismo Modena and Trofeo arrive in the UK this summer, while the Folgore version is set to be released in the autumn.
Words: Mike Booth
Pictures: Maserati