2025 Maserati Grecale Folgore SUV Makes for a More Mainstream EV

Maserati first spliced into the electric-vehicle revolution with the GranTurismo Folgore, its reborn GT enhanced by elements from the automaker's Formula E racing program. The wish-list specs on its data sheet include: a dog-bone-shaped battery for the lowest possible center of gravity, three motors that spin to 17,500 rpm, silicon-carbide inverters, 60 mph in a claimed 2.7 seconds, and a 202-mph top speed. And while it makes do with 818 horsepower, it stands ready to supply up to 1206 horses—it already makes 995 pound-feet of torque—once more robust high-performance batteries become available.

Maserati's Grecale compact SUV, on the other hand, is marketed with the tagline "everyday exceptional." Whether powered by an internal-combustion engine or, in this case, a battery-electric powertrain in Grecale Folgore trim, that "everyday" indicates fare closer to a staple dish than the GranTurismo Folgore's five-star Modenese treat.

Thing is, anyone who's been to a fine Italian restaurant knows that a proper chef can make even an earthy staple like pork ragu over polenta a molto insigne experience.

Grecale Folgore's EV Stats

For the Grecale Folgore, engineers reworked the floor plan to fit a skateboard-style battery. The pack is made up of 33 modules, 29 laid out in a flat rectangle, four on a level above, hidden by the rear seat. Knowing they wanted the EV's interior dimensions to match those of the gasoline-powered SUV, while maintaining aero efficiency, engineers lowered the floor instead of raising it. The ICE Grecale's 8.3 inches of ground clearance becomes 6.7 inches in the Folgore, and the Folgore's roof sits a third of an inch closer to the ground.

The Grecale Folgore's reworked ingredients relative to the GranTurismo start with the battery. Whereas the high-performance coupe's 83.0-kWh pack gets lithium-ion cells from LG feeding an 800-volt architecture, the Grecale Folgore's 98.6-kWh pack is powered by lithium-ion cells from CATL electrifying a 400-volt architecture. The GranTurismo's three motors are built by Marelli Motori to a Maserati design; the Grecale's two motors come from Jing-Jin Electric (JJE). They spin slower than the GranTurismo's, and you'll find no fancy silicon carbide in the inverters. Together, the two motors make 550 horsepower and 605 pound-feet of torque, split evenly between the front and rear axles.

Maserati estimates max European WLTP range at 311 miles. Peak DC fast-charging of 150 kilowatts refills the pack from 20 to 80 percent in a claimed 29 minutes. Plugged into the highest-powered Level 2 outlet, the 22.0-kW onboard charger restores 100 kilometers (62 miles) of range in an hour.

From a standstill, 62 mph takes 4.1 seconds, according to Maserati, while top speed is limited to 137 mph. However, you'll only enjoy the best performance or range if you choose the appropriate options.

The Grecale Folgore is offered in a single trim, dispensing with the ICE model's GT, Modena, and Trofeo divisions. Maximum range requires the 19-inch wheels, but the U.S. won't get those; we're limited to 20- or 21-inch wheels on either Pirelli Scorpion Zero all-season or Pirelli P Zero Elect summer tires. The 21-inchers, bearing a slightly more ornate, less aero-friendly design, drop range to an estimated 265 miles of WLTP range; the 20-inchers will fall between that and 311 miles. Maserati said the range delta between the 19- and 20-inchers would be smaller than the 19- to 21-inch delta, because of the smaller wheels' identical design. We estimate EPA numbers coming in at 255 miles for the 20s and 225 miles for the 21s.

Of the four driving modes—Offroad, Max Range, GT, and Sport—only Sport frees the Grecale's full power output, the circular Thrust gauge on the left of the digital dash running to 100 percent. In GT (the default), only 80 percent of the horsepower reaches the axles. In Max Range, it's 75 percent, dropping to 50 percent if the power limiter is activated.