Alexandre
Maserati has long cultivated ambiguity around its electrical ambitions. When it announced a few years ago that it wanted to get into electric sports cars, the brand hit the nail on the head: over 1,200 hp of power to rival models like the Tesla Model S Plaid or the Lucid Air Sapphire. A promise that, at the time, captured attention. However, when Maserati's flagship electric model, the GranTurismo Folgore, was unveiled, the reality was quite different: "only" 761 hp.
This power, while more than sufficient for a 0 to 100 km/h time of 2.7 seconds and a top speed of 325 km/h, has raised questions. Why is there such a discrepancy with what was originally promised? The answer lies in an often underestimated factor: battery technology. The GranTurismo and Grancabrio Folgore use three electric motors capable of producing 1200 hp. But the battery, in its current state, is unable to unleash all this potential. The weight and capacity of current batteries still seem to limit performance.
However, hope is increasingly tangible: Maserati may well deliver on its promise of a 1200 hp model. In an interview with Auto ExpressDavide Danesin, Maserati's head of engineering, has revealed that the brand is already working on a new battery technology. This innovation could not only increase vehicle range, but also release more power. The famous GranTurismo and its cousin Grancabrio could soon benefit from this evolution, and according to Danesin, future versions of Maserati's electric vehicles could surpass the current 761 hp.
The truth is, while the idea of a 1000hp-plus model is seductive, it might be more appropriate to focus on aspects that are more important to the real driving experience. Starting with the car's weight. At 2,260 kg, the GranTurismo Folgore is relatively heavy for a sports car, and a reduction in this weight would improve performance without increasing power.
For drivers who don't drag race every weekend, raw power is not necessarily the priority. A torque rating of 1350 Nm, like that of the GranTurismo Folgore, is already impressive and more than enough for an exhilarating driving experience. What really needs improvement is range. A lighter, more powerful battery would make it possible to cover longer distances while maintaining exceptional performance.
Although the 1200 hp GranTurismo is not yet a reality, ongoing projects and research into new batteries show that Maserati has not stopped at its first attempt at electric cars. So the 1000hp GranTurismo may just be a matter of time.