First electric Maserati ready to go

MASERATI this week pulled the silk covers off a stunning new model GranTurismo (GT) coupe replacing arguably one of the best looking cars in the Italian performance car maker’s stable that went out of production three years ago.

The new GT ushers in sweeping changes, not the least being completely new styling with identifiable links to the previous model but also V6 petrol engines replacing V8 power and the really big news, a pure electric BEV GT that represents a seismic shift for the legendary Trident brand. 

According to Maserati Australia and New Zealand general manager Grant Barling, the new GT is due here at the end of 2023 in ICE configuration and 2024 for the BEV variant.

“I am taking a group of dealers to Italy in November specifically to look at the car and hopefully drive it so we can’t really give any price indication at this early stage,” he said.

However, according to Automotive News Europe (ANE), the new GT will be priced (in Europe) from €200,000 ($A302,317), a €50,000 ($A75,565) increase over the previous starting price. It would seem Maserati has a pricing policy aimed at matching that of stablemate Ferrari…

Though sharing a similar visage and profile with the previous GT, this is a completely new car replete with new technology in terms of performance, luxury and safety.

“The GT’s full-electric version, called the Folgore, will be Maser’s first full-electric car, a historic step for a brand whose focus has been on powerful internal-combustion engines,” says ANE.

Maserati CEO Davide Grasso said in March that the brand’s range will become all-electric by 2030.

Maserati says the new GT is the latest iteration of their classic A6 1500 coupe from 1947, and will compete in a dwindling segment as wealthy buyers switch from coupes to premium SUVs or four-door cars such as the Porsche Panamera.

According to Maserati, the GT coupe combines the high performance typical of a sports car with comfort suitable for long distances, in both the powerful internal combustion engine variants and with the 100 per cent electric model.

They say it: “Represents a benchmark, embodying the concept of ‘The Others Just Travel’. This model is taking the House of the Trident forward into the future: it is the first car in the brand’s history to adopt a 100 per cent electric powertrain.”

From a styling viewpoint, the GT design represents a balance between beauty and functionality without ostentation, says Maserati.

The car has undeniably sleek and immediately recognisable lines based on classic sports coupe styling starting with a low frontal area rising through arcing front guards, through long doors, into rear hips and a truncated, almost pert tail treatment.

As Maserati puts it: “The classic proportions of the brand's cars has been maintained with a long bonnet and the central body intersected by the four fenders. Conversely, the roof line drops dynamically to emphasise the curve of the pillar that features the iconic Trident logo.”

The Italian-made car was developed at the Maserati Innovation Lab and will be produced at the Mirafiori manufacturing hub in Turin. It is what Maser’ terms “the epitome of Italian luxury performance”, a concept typical of all Maserati models.

The new coupe is powered by a choice of V6 Nettuno engines available in two versions: the Modena, with the 360kW 3.0-litre V6 Nettuno Twin Turbo; the high-performance Trofeo version (pictured) is based on the same engine, upgraded to a maximum power of 404kW.

Alternatively, and a little further down the track in production terms, the GT Folgore adopts a 100 per cent electric battery-based powertrain BEV.

The Folgore system is based on 800V technology and has been developed with cutting-edge technical solutions derived from Formula E. It is said to offer superb performance, made possible by the three powerful 300kW permanent magnet motors.

The battery has a nominal capacity of 92.5kWh and a discharge capacity of 560kW, to continuously transmit around 559kW to the wheels. The specific set-up and innovative layout of the battery result in the containment of vehicle height to 1353mm, without compromising its sporty nature.

The shape of the battery pack, known as ‘T-bone’, forms part of Maserati’s “zero compromise” approach and avoids placing the battery modules under the seats, mainly moving them around the central tunnel and therefore considerably lowering the car’s H-point.

In terms of technical architecture, the new model is the result of a project that makes extensive use of lightweight materials such as aluminium and magnesium, together with high-performance steel. Such a multi-material approach required new manufacturing processes to be created, resulting in best-in-class weight levels.

This is paired with new Atlantis High electrical/electronic architecture, based on canFD messages sent at speeds of up to 2ms.

The system also comes with advanced level 5 cyber-security and flash-over-the-air features. The fulcrum is the Vehicle Domain Control Module (VDCM) master controller, a totally Maserati project consisting of the software that provides 360-degree control of all the most important car systems, for the best driving experience in all conditions.

Inside, the GT’s slick cabin is equipped with innovative systems, including the Maserati Intelligent Assistant (MIA) Multimedia system, the latest infotainment, a comfort display that brings together the main functions in an integrated touchscreen interface, a digital clock and the (optional) head-up display.

The GT offers an “all-round sound experience”, guaranteed by the signature sound of the Maserati engine, even in the electric version, thanks to innovative work by engineers at the Maserati Innovation Lab. The sound experience is completed by an “immersive” Sonus faber 3D sound system.

“Designed and made by Italian audio craftsmen, the sound system offers two levels of customisation giving it up to 19 speakers and 3D sound with an output of up to 1195 W, for depth of field and satisfying roundness of sound”, said Maserati in a statement.

At launch, the GT is also available in the PrimaSerie 75^th Anniversary Launch Edition, a limited series featuring exclusive content and dedicated to its recent 75^th anniversary. 

Local pricing and specification for the 2023 Maserati GranTurismo range will announced closer to the model’s launch.