A prototype of the all-electric Maserati Granturismo Folgore has been pictured on public roads, driven by Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares.
- Granturismo Folgore was spotted at a private test facility last year
- Granturismo, like the Ghibli and Levante, will get hybrid options
- Maserati plans to upgrade facility to launch new products
The images, released by Maserati, gives us the clearest look yet at the Granturismo Folgore’s exterior styling. It took to the streets ahead of the 2022 Rome E-Prix and was driven to the city’s Formula E circuit.
Maserati Granturismo Folgore: spotted testing earlier
The model previously took centre stage at an event to mark the Italian firm’s new partnership with Rokit Venturi racing in the Formula E electric single-seater championship.
The electric GT, expected to arrive imminently, appeared in its now familiar light camouflage, but it is evident that the styling will be subtly evolved compared to the current car, rather than radically reinvented.
The electric Granturismo Folgore was previously spotted lapping a private test facility in Italy last year. It was then pictured with quad rear exhausts, indicating that it was a petrol-powered version.
The official ‘spy shots’ for the ICE model were released by Maserati itself and showed how the Ferrari Roma rival’s design will subtly evolve.
Maserati Granturismo Folgore: powertrains remain a mystery
Modena remains tight-lipped on what lies under the bonnet, but the new Nettuno V6, as fitted to the MC20 supercar, and the Ferrari-derived V8 used by the Quattroporte are likely choices.
The Granturismo is also set to follow the Ghibli and Levante in adopting a hybrid option, but its positioning makes their 2.0-litre four-cylinder mild-hybrid petrol engine an unlikely fit.
The new images confirm the Granturismo will retain the sleek silhouette of its predecessor, as well as its name. It looks to bear a resemblance to the long-awaited Alfieri, which was revealed as a concept as long ago as 2016.
The pictures follow the release of a clip, last year, in which Maserati previewed the sound of its first electric powertrain, which will be fitted to the 2022 Granturismo. Technical details remain unconfirmed, but the electric variant will no doubt be the quickest and most potent in the Granturismo line-up.
Maserati says that it’s working to ensure the EV’s powertrain has “a distinctive sound, already a unique attribute of all Maserati cars equipped with traditional combustion engines.” It’s not yet clear how this will be achieved, but it’s unlikely that the firm will artificially recreate the noise of its V6 or V8 engines.
The testing is taking place at private facilities and on surrounding roads, meaning camouflaged prototypes will likely be seen in public soon, giving more clues as to what to expect of the new car.
The announcement followed September’s confirmation that Maserati is to extensively upgrade its Turin production facility and launch a wave of new models and, more recently, the unveilings of the Ghibli and Levante mild-hybrids.
Maserati in India
The Italian carmaker has plans to launch the Levante Hybrid first, before bringing in the MC20 supercar and the Grecale SUV at a later date. You can read more about it here.
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