Maserati is working onerous to get out of the hunch that was the Levante, Ghibli and Quattroporte period, and with its newest editions to its vary — the GranCabrio Folgore and Trofeo — the iconic Italian automaker lastly appears to be leaving that period behind. The GranTurismo coupe, and by extension its GranCabrio droptop sibling, function a type of North Star for Maserati. Sure, it has the MC20 supercar, however the two-door four-seater is equally as, if no more necessary to the corporate. Maserati had to ensure it bought this automotive proper if it needed to shake off the ghost of the three FCA horsemen of the apocalypse and the drained picture its predecessor exhibited to the world.
I’m right here to report that the GranCabrio, in each electrical Folgore and gas-powered Trofeo guise, does simply that… for probably the most half. It’s a hell of quite a bit nicer than the Maseratis that dominated the earth only a few years in the past, however there are only a few issues holding it again from being actually spectacular.
Full Disclosure: Maserati flew me to northern Italy, put me up in a few expensive accommodations and fed me a lot fish I by no means wish to contact the stuff once more all so I might check out the brand new GranCabrio Trofeo and Folgore.
No matter the way you slice it, the Maserati GranCabrio is an especially putting automotive. Its lengthy hood, bulbous fenders and tight tail give it these basic Maserati seems we’ve come to understand, and reducing the roof off simply heightens that look if you happen to ask me. It’s low-slung like all driver’s vehicles must be. That’s why, when creating the Folgore, the engineers determined in opposition to a skateboard-style battery pack. Instead, it runs in a T-shape down the middle of the automotive. Not solely does this support in dealing with (we’ll get to that later), however it additionally means Maserati might hold the GranCabrio Folgore low to the bottom.
![Maserati GranCabrio Folgore](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/b6a29258bcf50ff12411df82f0c29972.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
Designers of the automotive would be the first to confess the brand new GranCabrio doesn’t look drastically totally different than the outdated one, and why ought to it? The outdated GC was a fantastic-looking automotive for your complete 11-year run. I don’t see this as a difficulty, as a result of the automotive nonetheless seems nice in my eyes. Why mess with factor, ya know? In phrases of differentations between the 2 vehicles – effectively there aren’t too many, and that’s stunning given how vastly totally different their powerplants are. The solely actual inform that you just’re taking a look at a Folgore and never a Trofeo is a fender badge, some closed-off vents and extra aerodynamic wheels. It actually doesn’t scream EV to those that see it.
![Maserati GranCabrio Trofeo](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/72c05515155227d80a427411582cf089.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
One factor Maserati did mess with is the GranCabrio’s inside. The outdated automotive had tech that dated again to the early days of the Obama administration and construct high quality to match that of a Canal Street “Gucci” bag. Now, we’re in a special world with cutting-edge tech, a extremely fairly design and the construct high quality of a very nice pocketbook from Nordstrom. It’s an enchancment, however there’s nonetheless a technique to go.
![Maserati GranCabrio Folgore](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/1e83a46a98882ea5c00b3b7ef9b6f4f6.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
Interior tech is the place each the Trofeo and Folgore shine. The two vehicles are almost similar inside apart from a number of trim items and materials decisions. They all include a highly-customizable gauge cluster display, a major infotainment touchscreen, a secondary angled touchscreen beneath that for core car capabilities like HVAC and seat controls, and a tiny round display within the sprint that may function a clock, a g-meter, a compass or a battery stage indicator if you happen to’re within the Folgore. It’s foolish, positive, however who stated vehicles wanted to be critical on a regular basis? Anyway, all of those methods work rather well collectively and make the GranCabrio really feel like a totally fashionable automotive — one thing that would not be stated in regards to the first-generation GC. Add some actually fantastic leathers, metals and premium-feeling plastics and also you’ve bought a extremely tasty stew going.
![Maserati GranCabrio Folgore](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/47c877999564910aaa3f9f26a500e478.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
Oh, and you’ll be able to honest-to-God get 4 adults on this factor. I’m not saying it is going to be probably the most snug expertise on this planet, however you are able to do it. You may even match a few of their stuff within the trunk.
Still, it doesn’t matter what drivetrain you choose, the GranCabrio can’t fully shake its Stellantis roots. Any Jeep fanatic will instantly have the ability to acknowledge the window switches, the actually good infotainment system and the buttons mounted on the again of the steering wheel. I had a 2004 Grand Cherokee years in the past, and the buttons behind the wheel have been precisely the identical as what’s within the Maserati. That’s a tricky tablet to swallow if you’re spending upwards of $220,000 on an Italian sports activities automotive.
![Maserati GranCabrio Folgore](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/e4e55e51a946ef80b1863b5ca58609dc.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
Another factor in regards to the inside that basically grinds my gears is how Maserati determined to implement the gear selector. Instead of a shifter or lever, it’s 4 buttons on the dashboard between the 2 central screens. That’s probably not the issue. I don’t love button shifters, however I can get previous it. My actual concern lies with how shitty they’re to the touch and to make use of. They’re simply 4 low-cost items of piano black plastic that wiggle round if you press them and don’t exude cutting-edge luxurious the best way the remainder of the inside does. This stinks as a result of each single time you drive your GranCabrio, you’ve bought to work together with these buttons. Would these buttons cease me from shopping for the automotive? No, however I’d anticipate extra from an organization that’s attempting actually onerous to distance itself from its extra pedestrian automotive stablemates.
![Maserati GranCabrio Trofeo](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/2e8d3abba81372573a1c5d88c30706fd.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
All that being stated, the place the GranCabrio Folgore and Trofeo stand atop their automotive stablemates is how they drive. We’ll get to propulsion strategies in a second, however I simply wish to spotlight what a revelation these vehicles are to drive in any circumstance whether or not you’re simply above idle round city or banging off the rev limiter on a backroad someplace. No matter the way you spec it the ability is there, however to me, the actual spotlight is how the GranCabrio handles. These vehicles like to be tossed round corners, with a seemingly limitless quantity of grip (thanks partially to the summer season tires), a very nice and progressive brake really feel, and a number of the greatest steering suggestions I’ve ever skilled.
Maserati was actually capable of seize that direct and light-weight steering really feel Italian vehicles are identified for. The greatest technique to describe it’s delicate. The smallest inputs end in a directional change, and but it doesn’t really feel darty. On high of that, the wheel actually talks to you. If you drive over a pebble you’ll have the ability to inform what kind of rock it chipped off of. It’s actually spectacular stuff that heightens your complete expertise of the GranCabrio. Even in Folgore guise, due to the T-shaped battery, turn-in and dealing with remains to be fabulous. It’s an actual feat of engineering to get this 5,249-pound automotive (Trofeo weighs 4,316 kilos) to bounce the best way it does. The suspension tuning of each vehicles can also be incredible. They’re pretty comparable, although I might say the Folgore is a bit softer. Regardless, each are arrange completely to cope with the less-than-perfect roads of northern Italy. They absorb bumps rather well however nonetheless are responsive sufficient for even probably the most spirited drive.
![Maserati GranCabrio Trofeo](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/91ead5248c78e0cb6430a0b8d4ee9823.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
So, the Folgore and Trofeo are very comparable automobiles each inside and outdoors, however they’re worlds aside beneath. The Trofeo is powered by Maserati’s new front-mid-mounted Nettuno twin-turbocharged V6 that pumps out 542 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque by way of a ZF eight-speed computerized. That’s sufficient energy to maneuver the grand tourer from 0 to 60 mph in simply 3.6 seconds. Those are all very respectable numbers, however they pale compared to what the Folgore involves play with.
![Maserati GranCabrio Folgore](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/d474560e47c79a68ecba9b00e13c1f78.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
Maserati says the Folgore’s three electrical motors (two within the rear and one up entrance) produce an astronomical 818 horsepower and 996 lb-ft of torque. God rattling. That’s sufficient to get the Folgore from 0 to 60 in a nauseating 2.7 seconds. It feels each bit as fast as that, too, and it’ll hold accelerating all the best way to 180 mph. That’ll do for positive. A 92.5-kWh battery ( of which 83 kWh is usable) offers the juice for these monstrous motors, and Maserati claims it’ll get about 233 miles of vary in accordance with the corporate (EPA scores are coming). When you do run out of juice, it isn’t a chore to replenish, both. Thanks to the system’s 800-volt structure, the Folgore can DC quick cost at as much as 270 kW, sufficient to cost from 20 to 80 p.c in about 18 minutes. Not too shabby.
In a whole lot of methods, the Folgore is type of in a category of its personal. The Trofeo has different basic opponents like the just lately refreshed and improved Bentley Continental GT, Mercedes-AMG SL, BMW 8 Series and numerous Aston Martins (if you happen to don’t take note of worth), however the GranCabrio Folgore is on an island of 1. I suppose arguments might be made for vehicles just like the Tesla Model S Plaid and Lucid Air Sapphire, however even these are a stretch.
![Maserati GranCabrio Folgore](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/ad7f4dda2973e08d95a75957787fd928.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
I imply “island of one” actually. This isn’t simply the one totally electrical luxurious convertible — that is the one totally electrical convertible you should purchase within the U.S. usually… if you happen to don’t really feel the GMC Hummer EV is an actual convertible. That’s a extremely cool factor Maserati has accomplished, and it’s packaged in a means that received’t intimidate new EV adopters. Unfortunately, you’ve bought to pay up for this exclusivity, and that’s the place GranCabrio’s largest concern lies: It is just too costly. Prices begin at $206,995 (together with vacation spot) and it must be hitting supplier flooring this fall. I assume you’re paying that worth to be in a celebration of 1, and I type of get that.
![Maserati GranCabrio Folgore](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/39a6c2ee80c68aadc8fa1ceb7d579398.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
The Trofeo begins at a still-wildly-high $193,995 (together with vacation spot) earlier than you even add a single possibility. It places the automotive in a bizarre no-man’s land in relation to worth. It prices much more than stuff just like the Lexus LC 500, BMW M8, Mercedes SL and Porsche 911. The Maserati’s solely actual competitors at its worth level is the Bentley Continental GT, and that automotive comes with a greater motor and nicer supplies inside. It doesn’t drive fairly as effectively and appears are subjective, so I suppose it’s all about what you want. To be trustworthy, I’d be much more snug if this automotive was about $50,000 cheaper, however I suppose model cache — even when it’s been broken over the previous decade — remains to be price one thing. If you inform somebody who doesn’t know an excessive amount of about vehicles that you just driving a Maserati, they’re going to be extra impressed than if you happen to inform them you drive a BMW or a Mercedes. That could possibly be price it to you.
Both the Maserati GranCabrio Trofeo and Folgore are actually wonderful, full grand touring vehicles with a little bit of a sporty edge to them. I’m positive that whoever spends their hard-earned cash on certainly one of them received’t remorse it. They’ve simply bought to be prepared to cope with some touchpoints that aren’t top-notch and wish to pay for a model that’s at present on the upswing. I wouldn’t blame anybody who buys certainly one of these vehicles over the competitors, they completely drive in a means that justifies their costs — there are only a few issues that maintain them again from being true class leaders.
As for which one is my favourite and which one I’d purchase, effectively, let’s simply say this: The Trofeo’s V6 doesn’t sound pretty much as good because the Folgore’s electrical motors make me really feel.
![Maserati GranCabrio Folgore](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/edf63a88d90b5a6cf0db7c1678345f66.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
![Maserati GranCabrio Folgore](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/1b61b5e84a0e0744d88b7ace615b4673.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
![Maserati GranCabrio Trofeo](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/a9824b08b04624e29c49ee6801dadb11.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
![Maserati GranCabrio Folgore](https://i0.wp.com/i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/67385f6c1874b17ac64346dfbdfdcde7.jpg?w=788&ssl=1)
Source: jalopnik.com