One Of Life’s Driving Pleasures
Folgore is Italian for lightning. The Merriam-Webster Thesaurus says lightning is synonymous with rapid, brisk, hot, dizzy, breakneck, quick, speedy, rush, ultrafast (the list goes on) and breathtaking. With no hyperbole even in the slightest, there is no argument with any of these descriptions for this luxury grand tourer. Our week in the 2025 Maserati GranCabrio Folgare EV was all of those and more.
Maserati is known for its V12, V8 and twin-turbo V6 fire-breathing engines that emit luscious growling tones while producing massive horsepower and torque. So, what will aficionados of this storied Italian car brand think about electrons replacing gasoline? Maybe when they strap-in and experience a blistering, snap-your-head-back zero-to-60 mph of 2.7 seconds, their smile will be the tell for what they think.
Incorporating Formula E technology, the 2025 Maserati GranCabrio Folgare is as exciting to drive as it is to look at sitting still. Designed at Maserati headquarters in Modena, Italy, and built at the Maserati Mirafiori plant in Turin, Italy, the GranCabrio Folgare is on the exclusive list of convertible electric cars that deliver performance in style, grace and elan. Yes, it is high-dollar, but that is not unexpected for such an over-the-top car.
Top Down: Gran Turismo Cruising
Hiding under the car is where the fun begins. The 92.5 kWh (83.0 kWh useable capacity) battery drives three 300-kilowatt motors, one for the front axle and two rear powering each wheel, producing 751 total system horsepower and 995 pound-feet of torque. This power and grunt drives all four wheels with the option to disable the front motor so it becomes rear-wheel drive. The battery runs down the middle of the car and then becomes a ”T” shape under the rear seats. This layout gives exceptional 50:50 weight balance, providing an engaged driving feel of being connected to the road.
There are four driver-selectable drive modes designed to adjust the car’s performance and driving attributes. The most efficiency comes from Max Range, GT for balanced driving, Sport delivers dynamic performance with boosted sound and torque vectoring and Corsa for an extreme experience, typically for track use.
The acceleration whoosh was exhilarating with what Maserati says is the “fastest 100% electric convertible on the market.” This is an impressive feat considering the GranCabrio Folgare is not a track car, but a luxury grand tourer.
The handling and ride for the 5,158-pound convertible was controlled by the drive modes and the electronic dampers and adaptive air suspension. The latter stiffened to the desired level of plush or firm based on if you are corner carving or hitting the open road. Our GranCabrio Folgare rode on staggered 265/25/20 front and 295/30/21 rear Pirelli Zero summer tires that were sticky and never lost grip or chirped as we aggressively pushed some twisties.
Slowing and stopping was strong and precise with the anti-lock, six-piston up front and four in the rear Brembo performance brakes with ventilated rotors. The real fun comes when mastering the regenerative braking, which works by reversing the electric motors when slowing or stopping. The reversing motors become generators that convert kinetic energy back into electrical energy, which is then stored in the battery. Learning to modulate the slowing with your fingertips on the paddles that control the regen is the smoothest way to drive an electric vehicle, and is what we used during most of our time behind the wheel.
Exquisite Exterior
People everywhere were stopping to look, many with a double take. Parking at the market required an additional 20-30 minutes each trip for walk-arounds. I couldn’t blame their curiosity as I, too, would stop and just look at its sleek gorgeous design. Our GranCabrio Folgare painted in Blu Modena, which was one of 23 colors, looked great with the top up, but even better topless. Dropping the power top (at up-to 30 mph) took 14 seconds (raising it takes 16 seconds), was a big hit with the wondering public as it disappeared and reappeared from the power trunk.
Maserati designers retained the grille from the gasoline-propelled Maserati cars, but with vertical bars that have been opened for air flow and the iconic Maserati Trident logo badge.
The 20 and 21-inch Aura-Design wheels with anodized dark copper calipers were a perfect match for the low-slung sporty convertible.
Truly Gorgeous, High-End Interior
The iconic Maserati analog clock, sitting top-and-center on the dash, conveys history and class that only an analog clock can deliver. The four-seat GranCabrio Folgare was spacious for the front occupants while those in the rear are left wishing for a bit more leg room. The power front seats, 18-way for the driver, are heated, ventilated and come with an air scarf to heat your neck on cool days. Our interior color was Ice for the leather seats and Gray for the trim on the door panels. There was laser-etched sustainable nylon fabric on the door and Alcantara on the roof liner and pillars. The heated and leather-wrapped sport steering wheel had controls for audio, cruise control, the drive modes and the engine Start/Stop button.
Convertibles can suffer from wind buffeting and noise with the top lowered. The GranCabrio Folgare was surprisingly protected from the wind with an air deflector and even more-so when the four windows were raised. The best test for top-down wind noise is making a hands-free Bluetooth phone call to see how well each side of the conversation can hear each other. Grade: A+.
Maserati was clever in transitioning owners from the roar of a gasoline engine to the silence of an EV. In the Max Range drive mode they added a very soft, deep hum that you can hear with the top up. Drop the top and it becomes more present but not much louder. The sound increases in GT, Sport or Corsa modes, but it isn’t much louder. Many EVs Clean Fleet Report has driven have faux engine noise that can feel gimmicky, in which case we turn them off. The Maserati idea was to be a gentle reminder you are driving an electron-propelled performance car.
The configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster is joined by the 12-inch infotainment display that handles the back-up camera, navigation and the Sonus Faber audio system, which has 12 speakers and 860 watts. The sound system works for the FM HD radio, SiriusXM, apps, connected services, Alexa Built-in and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The main screen also houses performance settings for torque vectoring, traction control and suspension stiffness. There is a page showing digital gauges for the horsepower being produced by the three individual motors. Below the main screen is an 8.8-inch digital screen with touch controls for the dual-zone automatic climate system and seat adjustments.
Additional features include a digital rearview mirror, wireless phone charging, Wi-Fi hotspot, frameless rearview mirror with Homelink, heated power-folding side mirrors, keyless entry, tire repair kit, ambient interior lighting, power adjustable steering column and an alarm system.
Safety
The 2025 Maserati GranCabrio Folgare comes standard with a suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). These include dual-stage front, side and head air bags, automatic emergency braking, lane departure and lane keep assist, blind spot collision avoidance and front and rear parking sensors with emergency braking.
Charging and Range
- 800V DC fast charger at 270 kW delivers 20-to-80% in about 18 minutes (or up to 62 miles of range per five minutes)
- 400V DC fast charger at 50 kW adds 12 miles per five minutes
- A Level 2, 240-volt AC charger at 15 kW will add 48 miles per one hour
A full charge gives the GranCabrio Folgare an EPA rated 233 all-electric mile driving range. In fairness, if you are tromping on the accelerator (possibly also activating the Launch Control) to see if you can beat the 2.7 seconds 0-60 mph or the listed 180 mph top speed, then your range will be far less.
However, if driving the GranCabrio Folgare as a grand tourer, it conceivably can make the 220-mile San Diego to Santa Barbara trip on a single charge, maybe with a 15-minute top-off charging break along the way. This also goes for the 232-mile trip from San Francisco to San Luis Obispo. It should easily in one charge cover the 190 miles between Boston and New York City or the 196 miles to get from Austin to Dallas.
Pricing
The 2025 Maserati GranCabrio comes in three trims with these base prices, including the $1,995 destination fee.
- GranCabrio $167,895
- Trofeo $199,095
- Folgare $208,695
Clean Fleet Report drove a GranCabrio Folgare, thatwith the $1,995 destination fee and $20,200 in options the final price was $228,695.
When this story was written (June 2025) it is unknown whether federal tax incentives for EVs will be extended or what impact import tariffs will have on prices. Individual states may have purchase incentive programs that would not be affected by any federal actions. The GranCabrio Folgare may also qualify for an HOV sticker which allows only the driver to use the carpool lanes. Please speak with your tax professional or go here for more information.
Warranty
- New Car -Five years/50,000 miles
- Powertrain – Four years/50,000 miles
- Bumper-To-Bumper – Four years/50,000 miles
- Battery – Eight years/100,000 miles
- Corrosion/Perforation – Four years/50,000 miles
Observations: 2025 Maserati GranCabrio Folgore EV
When shopping for a new car it is important to accurately only compare like vehicles. Don’t be fooled by someone telling you: “This one is about the same” or “This one is better.” In the case of the 2025 Maserati GranCabrio Folgare, there are no other all-electric four-seat luxury convertible on the market. Period.
With this settled, it is honest to say the GranCabrio Folgare is an amazing EV that ticks every box when looking for class, style, luxury, uniqueness and status. It is eye-watering quick and fast, quiet, luxurious and oozes Italian heritage.
The GranCabrio Folgare is a dream car for most people and Maserati is perfectly fine with that. Drive through any Cars & Coffee and watch the head turning and eye popping when car buffs see it in person for the first time. Or, stand on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, and see how even the jaded wealthy notice this rare car. With the GranCabrio Folgare, we consider ourselves to be fortunate to drive such a fine car.
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Story by John Faulkner. Photos by John Faulkner and Maserati.
[See image gallery at cleanfleetreport.com]
Clean Fleet Report has reviewed these other Maserati cars and our opinion of them only grows.
2023 Maserati GranTurismo Folgare EV
2023 Maserati Gracale Modena Mild-Hybrid
Interview: Maserati Goes Electric
Disclosure
Clean Fleet Report is loaned free test vehicles from automakers to evaluate, typically for a week at a time. Our road tests are based on this one-week drive of a new vehicle. Because of this we don’t address issues such as long-term reliability or total cost of ownership. In addition, we are often invited to manufacturer events highlighting new vehicles or technology. As part of these events we may be offered free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our best to present our unvarnished evaluations of vehicles and news irrespective of these inducements.
Our focus is on vehicles that offer the best fuel economy in their class, which leads us to emphasize electric cars, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and other efficient powertrains. We also feature those efficient gas-powered vehicles that are among the top mpg vehicles in their class. In addition, we aim to offer reviews and news on advanced technology and the alternative fuel vehicle market. We welcome any feedback from vehicle owners and are dedicated to providing a forum for alternative viewpoints. Please let us know your views at publisher@ cleanfleetreport.com.
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