The Maserati Grecale Folgore has been caught for the first time being put through its paces in the snow. Debuting next year as the second battery-electric vehicle in the Italian brand’s lineup, the Grecale Folgore should serve as the entry point to Maserati’s electrified lineup. This prototype was caught by spy photographers testing alongside the next-generation GranTurismo, which will be built on dedicated BEV architecture. It’s not hiding its electrified nature either. The camouflage covering it has Maserati, the Maserati logo, Folgore, and lightning bolt patterns emblazoned all over it. There’s also a little sticker in the front, back, and rear right passenger door with a lightning bolt, giving the crossover’s all-electric powertrain away.
Looking closely, this prototype is using three-spoke wheels that appear to have been optimized for improved aerodynamics. Like the standard version, the Maserati Grecale Folgore looks more like a lifted hatchback than a traditional crossover. Its headlights appear to be identical to the internal combustion variant. In some angles, its reminiscent of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio thanks to that thick C-pillar and dramatically angled rear window. Although this prototype has a grille, it doesn’t appear fully open because only four slots are functional. This could be closed off in the final production version or turned into active grille shutters that only open when the powertrain needs cooling.
The Grecale Folgore could end up being the most powerful model in the lineup sporting two electric motors making 500 kW combined or 670 hp. This should allow it to sprint to 60 mph in around 3.0 seconds. The Grecale Folgore’s battery is tipped to be a 400-volt pack. An AWD disconnect feature is also expected, allowing the crossover to turn off one electric motor and operate more efficiently. Driving range estimates haven’t been announced yet but that will likely depend on several factors including the battery’s size, aerodynamics, and tire choice.
Unlike the GranTurismo, the Grecale Folgore won’t be capable of 800-volt charging. Since it’s built on a heavily modified version of the Giorgio platform, that could limit what Maserati can use in the vehicle. That means it won’t be able to accommodate a tri-motor layout and its peak DC charging speeds won’t reach the 300-kW range like the GranTurismo. In addition to the Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio, Stellantis also uses the Giorgio platform on the new generation Jeep Grand Cherokee, which is offered in the 4xe plug-in hybrid version. Since the Grecale Folgore isn’t on a dedicated BEV platform, the battery pack will likely not be flat and could fill the area where a drive shaft is usually located on internal combustion and hybrid vehicles with additional cells.
The Grecale Folgore is part of the brand’s battery-electric offensive. Alongside the next-generation GranTurismo sports car, it’ll initiate the transition to BEVs. Three more vehicles will follow, all-electric versions on the MC20, Quattroporte, and Levante. These five models will have battery-electric versions wearing the Folgore nameplate. Maserati is spearheading the transition to full electrification among Stellantis’ luxury brands alongside Alfa Romeo and DS Automobiles. From 2025 onward, Maserati will only launch BEVs and aims to become fully electric by 2030. Expect the vehicles to use the STLA Medium and/or STLA Large platforms, which are good for 440 and 500 miles per charge respectively.
When it arrives in 2023, the Maserati Grecale Folgore will have a lot of competitors in the compact luxury crossover segment. These include the Porsche Macan EV, the upcoming Polestar 4, Genesis GV60, Mercedes-Benz EQE SUV, Audi Q6 e-tron, and Lexus RZ 450e.
