Following in the footsteps of the GranTurismo Folgore that we saw at the Rome E-Prix back in 2022, Maserati has finally shown off the new GranCabrio Folgore for the first time, as the Trident celebrated its EV present and future at a special Folgore event last night in Rimini, Italy - Made in Thunder - right after the inaugural Misano E-Prix double-header just down the coast.
WATCH: Catch up with Maserati's Made in Thunder event
The GranCabrio marks not just Maserati's first all-electric convertible, but the world's first luxury convertible - and on top of that, it's the fastest drop-top EV on the planet. It's also a real stunner as the launch shots of the fully-four seat drop-top show.
Under the skin: The electric GranCabrio Folgore's powertrain, chassis, range, battery and charging
The car shares the same chassis as the GranCabrio Trofeo underneath, though there are details specific to the Folgore variant that earmark it as the all-electric model including a new grille and startegically placed aero.
The Folgore - or lightning in Italian - swaps the aforementioned car's combustion engine for a three electric motors - the same setup as in the hard-top Maserati GranTurismo Folgore, making use of the learnings transferred from race track to road from their multiple race-winning Formula E operation ran in partnership with Maserati MSG Racing.
READ MORE: Road tripping in the Maserati GranTurismo Folgore
There's motor one at the front and two across the rear axle - with each capable of producing over 400bhp, though between them they will combine to make 751bhp and 996lb ft. or 1,350Nm of torque, due to the battery's designed discharge rate of up to a maximum of 610kW at a given time. It's been suggested to various automotive publications that this could be upped in the future as battery tech develops, through their involvement in Formula E; electric motorsport's top tier.
GranCabrio Folgore: Range and performance
The 800-volt powertrain is combined with a 92.5kWh battery - 83kWh of which is usable - that can provide up to 280 miles of range and charge at a rapid 270kW for 100km of range in only five minutes of charging.
That powertrain and battery combination combines to make the world's fastest electric cabriolet with a top speed of 290kmh or 180mph and a 0-100kmh (62mph) time of just 2.8 seconds.
READ MORE: The major EV manufacturers that have formed Formula E's history
As per the GranTurismo, Maserati have utilised its unique t-shaped layout for the cells, to lower the centre of gravity of the car while also not getting in the way of the driver's seating position - unsuring the car, its roofline and its driver can be slung low to the ground.
Maserati has also applied some additional strengthening and reinforcement to the car's chassis along the sills and rear, given the lack of a fixed roof and the addition of the electric folding fabric roof, which can be opened in just 14 seconds. The car's chief engineer, Davide Danesin, says the car has more of a focus on comfort than its hard-top stablemate.
He told Autocar: “The customer of GranCabrio is different from a customer of the GT. The GranCabrio customer is not usually a hard driver looking for the best performance from the car. It's a different way to enjoy the product.
“They want a status product. They want to enjoy the free life in a good environment.”
The new GranCabrio Folgore's interior and technology
Inside the cabin, the GranCabrio is flush with high resolution displays across the dashboard, incorporating the iconic Maserati clock.
Upholstery is made from recycled ECONYL nylon with a laser-etched pattern while there's also a neck warming system alongside a wind stopper as standard to keep passengers warm with the roof down of a cool summer evening.
The new electric Maserati GranCabrio's release date and price
Prices are slated to start at around £185,000 or 215,000 euro - though both of those figures are subject to confirmation and exchange rate fluctuations.
The Maserati GranCabrio Folgore's expected release date is currently slated for 2025.