New 2023 Maserati Grecale Folgore electric SUV unveiled

Meet the Maserati Grecale Folgore: the pure-electric version of the Italian carmaker’s new mid-size SUV, which will take on the BMW iX3, Mercedes EQC and forthcoming electric Porsche Macan when it lands in showrooms in 2023.

The petrol-powered Grecale is arriving later in 2022, offered with either mild-hybrid four-cylinder or 513bhp V6 engines, but it’ll only be a year before the electric ‘Folgore’ (‘Lightning’ in Italian) version follows suit. Details are a little thin on the ground at the moment, but Maserati has revealed the electric SUV will feature a 105kWh battery, meaning it could cover close to 400 miles on a charge.

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Speaking of charging, the Grecale Folgore will use a 400-volt electrical architecture, which means it should be able to compete with the iX3’s 150kW rapid-charging capability. However, it’s unlikely to match the speeds we can expect from the electric Macan or its sister car, the Audi Q6 e-tron, which will both feature 800-volt systems for 200kW+ ultra-rapid charging. A 0-62mph time or top speed for the Italian brand’s answer to the Tesla Model Y has yet to be released, but the car’s motor setup will see around 540bhp and 800Nm of torque on tap.

In terms of styling, the most obvious differences between the electric and combustion-engined Grecales are the grille design and the copper ‘Folgore’ and other badging that distinguish the plug-in model. Inside, the Folgore will use a new material Maserati calls Econyl, made from recycled fishing nets. Boot space in the V6-powered version stands at 570 litres, or 535 litres if you opt for the mild-hybrid. Those figures are likely to reduce even further for the fully electric model, however.

So far, we’ve only seen the petrol Grecale’s cabin, but we expect it’ll be almost identical to the electric model’s interior. Up front, there’s a large digital driver’s display and a 12.3-inch central infotainment touchscreen running the Android Auto operating system, with a smaller 8.8-inch unit below that for the climate control and other functions.

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The car also features the Amazon Alexa virtual assistant built-in, plus Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone connectivity. There’s also a touchscreen in the rear for back-seat passengers to adjust the temperature and even the clock in the centre of the Grecale’s dashboard is a digital display.

Other technology offered in the Grecale includes a 21-speaker sound system, air suspension and multiple drive modes, ranging from Corsa to Off-Road. However, exact trim level and equipment for the Grecale Folgore haven’t been released yet, and neither have any prices. 

What we do know is that the electric Grecale isn’t the only Maserati EV on the way in 2023. The first will be the 1,200bhp+ GranTurismo Folgore grand tourer, followed by the GranCabrio Folgore four-seater convertible. By 2025, the brand will also launch a zero-emissions version of its MC20 supercar, along with the next iterations of the Quattroporte saloon and Levante SUV, which will both be electronic-only.