Latest news with #GrecaleFolgore
Korea Herald
01-06-2025
- Automotive
- Korea Herald
Maserati Grecale Folgore: Electric smoothness meets sporty spirit
Italian premium automaker Maserati has launched its first full-electric sport utility vehicle, the Grecale Folgore, in Korea, joining the recent wave of global carmakers introducing new models to the country's growing SUV market. Despite the shift to an electric powertrain, the model preserves Maserati's hallmark blend of sleek design and dynamic performance found in its combustion-engine vehicles. On Wednesday, The Korea Herald test-drove the SUV on a 140-kilometer route between Coex in southern Seoul and the Ananti Chord resort in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, covering congested city streets, highways and winding mountain roads. The exterior of the Grecale Folgore clearly reflects Maserati's design language. It features a curvy body and a low, elongated coupe-like silhouette, creating a sleek and dynamic presence that reflects the brand's heritage as a sports car manufacturer. Inside, dark gray leather with light brown contrast stitching around the cockpit elements enhances the cabin's luxurious feel. A standout feature is the signature centerpiece clock — now digital, yet designed to evoke the look of a classic analog timepiece. At the center, two displays are neatly arranged. The upper 12.3-inch screen handles infotainment and navigation powered by Korea's most-used T Map, while the lower 8.8-inch screen is dedicated to comfort functions such as air conditioning, ambient lighting and seat bolster adjustments. The gear selection buttons are the only physical controls in this section, placed horizontally between the two displays and seamlessly integrated into the layout, creating a clean and thoughtfully designed interface. During the drive, an engine-inspired sound filled the cabin, as Maserati replaced the high-pitched motor noise typical of EVs with its signature audio. This recreates the brand's distinctive auditory experience found in its combustion-engine models, while preserving the smooth glide of an electric vehicle. Despite its hefty weight of 2,540 kilograms, the acceleration felt swift and unhindered. Powered by a high-output 410-kilowatt battery, the SUV delivers a peak output of 550 horsepower and 820 newton-meters of torque. According to the brand, it can sprint from zero to 100 kilometers per hour in just 4.1 seconds. Power delivery remained consistent even on steep inclines, including hairpin sections, where sharp winding curves demanded frequent acceleration and braking. The model's soft yet precise steering contributed to a comfortable and stable drive by minimizing body roll during both sudden lane changes in city traffic and while navigating tight curves on winding mountain roads. Meanwhile, the model's rated driving range on a single charge is relatively low at 333 kilometers, even though its 105-kilowatt-hour battery from China's CATL is comparable in capacity to batteries in competing electric SUVs. However, starting the test drive with 98 percent battery, the car still had over 70 percent remaining after completing a 140-kilometer route, suggesting it could travel beyond its rated range. Maserati Korea has been delivering the Grecale Folgore since April, with a promotional starting price of 123.8 million won ($90,000) to celebrate the brand's 110th anniversary. The list price is 152.3 million won.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Maserati Cancels MC20 Folgore Electric Supercar Amid Weak Demand
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector Maserati has officially announced the cancellation of the MC20 Folgore, an all-electric supercar that had been highly anticipated as a spearhead for the brand's electric vehicle strategy. Originally unveiled in 2020, the MC20 Folgore was slated to debut this year, promising a new era for Maserati with its innovative design and powerful performance. However, citing "a perceived lack of commercial interest," the Italian automaker has decided to shelve the project. The MC20 Folgore was designed to be a standout in Maserati's emerging electric lineup, which includes the GranTurismo Folgore, Grecale Folgore, and GranCabrio Folgore. It boasted three electric motors producing a formidable 700 horsepower, positioning it at the pinnacle of Maserati's electric offerings. Despite these impressive specifications, market studies indicated that the supercar segment's clientele still prefers traditional internal combustion engines (ICE). According to Maserati, the feedback from potential MC20 customers showed a clear preference for powerful ICE engines, with little readiness to transition to battery electric vehicles (BEVs). In response to this feedback, Maserati will now concentrate its efforts on enhancing the MC20's internal combustion version, which currently features a 3.0-liter V-6 engine delivering 621 horsepower. Plans are underway to boost its power output further, potentially adding an additional 10 horsepower as seen in the GT2 Stradale version. The cancellation of the MC20 Folgore could have broader implications for Maserati's strategy, particularly its ambitious goal to electrify its entire lineup by 2028 and transition to fully electric models by 2030. This setback is compounded by financial challenges, highlighted by a significant write-off of a $1.6 billion investment by Stellantis, Maserati's parent company, which was largely allocated to developing new EVs. This development marks a crucial pivot for Maserati as it navigates the shifting landscapes of global automotive markets and consumer preferences. The company's strategy moving forward will likely involve a balanced approach, continuing to enhance its ICE models while cautiously advancing its electric vehicle initiatives. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Maserati Just Canceled a New All-Electric MC20 Supercar Because of Weak Demand
The all-electric Maserati MC20 Folgore all-electric supercar was first announced in 2020, with Maserati promising as late as last year that the battery-powered MC20 was still on its way for this year. But on Friday, Maserati confirmed it had canceled the MC20 Folgore because of weak demand, eliminating what promised to be an exciting EV in Maserati's future lineup. The MC20 Folgore had been planned with three electric motors producing 700 horsepower. The MC20 Folgore was set to sit on top of a range of Maserati EVs, from the GranTurismo Folgore, Maserati's all-electric grand tourer; the Grecale Folgore, its all-electric SUV; and the GranCabrio Folgore, its all-electric convertible. Maserati had hailed these cars and the MC20 Folgore as the brand's 'new electric dimension' that was, 'ready to dominate and represent the Brand's future around the world.' More from Robb Report A Mercedes-AMG Hypercar Was Part of an Alleged $5.4 Million Scam Cadillac's Newest All-Electric Escalade Is One of the Longest Production Cars of All Time Xiaomi's 1,500 HP All-Electric Car Is Setting Speed Records, and One Is up for Grabs Now that future won't include the MC20 Folgore, which was to be the marque's finest electric expression. Maserati said in a statement to Car and Driver that the car had been canceled because of, 'a perceived lack of commercial interest.' The statement went on: 'Market studies for the super sports car segment and especially for MC20 customers has demonstrated that they are very keen on driving powerful ICE engines… [they] are not ready to switch to BEVs for the foreseeable future.' Instead, Maserati will be focused on refreshing the internal combustion engine MC20, which makes 621 horsepower from its 3.0-liter V-6 engine. That refresh might include 10 additional horsepower, which Maserati was able to coax out of the engine in its GT2 Stradale, according to Autocar. The cancellation of the MC20 Folgore portends possibly dark things for a planned electric version of Maserati's Levante SUV, and dark things for Maserati's plan to go all-electric with every model in its lineup by 2030. Maserati had even said that its entire lineup would be electrified — battery electric or hybrid — by 2028. The MC20 Folgore's cancellation was perhaps foreshadowed earlier this year when, Stellantis, Maserati's owner, wrote off a $1.6 billion investment in the brand, much of which was spent on developing new EVs. Sales in China were also slow, suggesting that Maserati is in the midst of weathering a storm that will require more than just canceling an all-electric supercar. Best of Robb Report The 2024 Chevy C8 Corvette: Everything We Know About the Powerful Mid-Engine Beast The World's Best Superyacht Shipyards The ABCs of Chartering a Yacht Click here to read the full article.
