Maserati’s first new GranTurismo coupe in 16 years may reach Australia before the end of next year – and an electric version has already been locked in.
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the 2023 Maserati GranTurismo coupe is due in Australian showrooms at the end of next year – barring no further delays – with an expected choice of petrol and electric power.
Due to be unveiled globally by Maserati in early 2023, the second-generation GranTurismo sports coupe will be the first new model in 16 years (since 2007) – and the first to be available with electric power, badged Folgore.
Assuming there are no further delays, the new GranTurismo is due in Australian showrooms at the end of 2023, and will be available in electric Folgore form – likely alongside a traditional petrol-engined version, which has been spied testing overseas.
It’s set to be Maserati’s first electric car in Australia, beating the Grecale Folgore – the electric version of the brand’s new mid-size SUV – to market by a few months.
“I think if anything from an electrification point of view… GranTurismo has probably been the one that’s had the most interest, being the first Maserati with [electric power] – which hopefully we’ll see at the end of next year,” Maserati Australia general manager Grant Barling told media.
“The Grecale [Folgore]we probably won’t see until the following year, in the first quarter of 2024 [January to March] – literally 12 months after we launch [the petrol-powered range, in early 2023].”
Alongside the electric Folgore, a traditional GranTurismo powered by petrol will be available (spied below), rumored to use a version of Maserati’s new 3.0-litre twin-turbo ‘Nettuno’ V6, which develops between 390kW/620Nm and 463kW/730Nm in other models.
It remains to be seen if the petrol model will launch here at the same time as the Folgore – however an Australian launch at some point for the GranTurismo V6 appears highly likely.
“I believe that customers should have choice – and then eventually we’ll evolve,” Barling told media this week.
“The question is will it come with the [electric] and [petrol versions] to launch? So that’s probably the next question we’re asking. I think it should.”
A GranCabrio convertible version of the GranTurismo is due at a later date. Overseas, it’s slated to go on sale towards the end of next year – so an Australian launch in 2024 looks more likely.
While the twin-turbo V6 petrol version’s outputs will likely be higher than any version of the old GranTurismo – which offered 338kW/520Nm from a 4.7-litre Ferrari V8 – the electric Folgore will offer nearly twice as much power as Maserati’s current most powerful car .
Plans confirmed earlier this year will bestow the GranTurismo Folgore with three electric motors (two rear, one front) and a battery pack along the center of the car, developing “way over” 883kW.
That’s close to double the output of today’s V6-powered MC20 supercar (463kW) – and nearly three times the output of the original GranTurismo launched in 2007.
With a 0-100km/h time below two seconds, and a top speed beyond 300km/h, the GranTurismo Folgore is also set to be one of the fastest Maseratis ever built.
The electric GranTurismo Folgore will also draw electric motor technology from Maserati’s upcoming entry into the Formula E electric racing series – and will offer “top class” DC fast charging capability.
The coupe will form part of an expanded and revitalized Maserati model range – every member of which is due to offer an electric option by 2025, before petrol engines are ditched entirely by 2030.
The GranTurismo and GranCabrio will be joined by the new Grecale medium SUV, followed by an electric version of the MC20 by 2025, and all-new versions of the Quattroporte sedan and Levante large SUV by the same time, both with all-electric variants.
If its launch timing holds steady, the Maserati GranTurismo Folgore may be Australia’s first two-door electric sports car since the original Tesla Roadster was discontinued here in 2012.
The Rolls-Royce Specter (due from late 2023) is more super-luxury than super-sports car, while Chinese brand MG’s new Cyberster electric roadster isn’t likely to arrive before 2024.
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