Maserati's First Electric SUV Hits The Road In Puglia
Maserati—the official luxury car of Italy—is celebrating the release of its latest model, the Grecale Folgore. This groundbreaking addition to Maserati's lineup is the first full-electric SUV in the brand's history, combining electrification with the exceptional performance Maserati is renowned for. As such, it completes the Grecale family, the fullest range ever, with internal combustion/hybrid or full-electric engine options.
And what better way to celebrate this milestone than with a road trip through the southern Italian province of Puglia? The region can be found on the heel of the Italian boot, and boasts some of the country's most delectable cuisine. Not only is this the home of the dairy world's it-girl, burrata, this is also the home to some of Italy's most premier wine and seafood, all of which the guests were lucky to indulge in while basking in the luxury of the Grecale Folgore.
With the scene set, it was finally time to get driving the new car and see for myself just what it had to offer. I would be driving down the seaside, where I would get a taste of the car’s handling. The Grecale Folgore revealed itself to be not just a marvel of engineering but a testament to Maserati's commitment to a sustainable future. And, given that is has a 500km driving range, its a future that guaranteed to be filled with many more high-speed road trips.
Having grown up in Los Angeles, perhaps the world’s most infamous car-centric city, driving is undoubtedly part of my DNA. But the start and stop driving in snarled bumper-to-bumper I was familiar with could not have been farther from my experience driving the Grecale Folgore.
Getting behind the wheel of a high-performance Maserati was a game changer. The car's interior was sophisticated yet by no means stuffy, with its sleek blend of luxury and technology proving utterly irresistible. The car delivered remarkable torque and performance, while the sound system, designed and engineered by the specialists at Sonus faber, made the already exhilarating driving experience that much more cinematic.
As for the handling of the car, it floated down the Apulia coast with silky smooth precision, thanks to its meticulously engineered aerodynamics. And despite being an electric vehicle, therefore lacking the gas pistons which give gas-driven cars their distinctive purr, the Grecale Folgore roars with a satisfying ferocity when one gets the chance to blast down the motorway full tilt.
The sound of the car, in fact, was something Maserati paid an immense amount of effort researching. Given the shift from petrol to electric, many devoted Maserati lovers might wonder if the ride in the latest model will be a distinctly silent ride. However Masearti made a point of ensuring that the Grecale Folgore delivered in terms of sound. Innovative engineering allows the electric engine to deliver a natural acoustic dynamic when driven, powered by the inverters that have been digitally shaped and integrated with the typical Maserati sound.
The drive along Adriatic Sea was that much more fitting given the role that ocean plays in the development of the car's interior. The interior materials were developed using ECONYL®, a novel fiber known for its distinctive aesthetic, and that is made from regenerated nylon crafted by reclaiming discarded nylon, including fishing nets from oceans, fabric remnants from mills, and carpets slated for disposal. By transforming it into high-quality nylon yarn for use in fashion and interior design sectors, Maserati has made a vehicle that aims to redefine reused materials as a true luxury.
You can learn more about the Grecale Folgore by hitting the link here.
