What It’s Like to Drive Maserati’s New Electric Convertible
Sure, we can easily wax poetic on all of the impressive virtues of the new Maserati GranCabrio Folgore, the first-ever all-electric convertible in its class. The canvas top that opens in 14 seconds. Those sumptuous interiors, made from the same high-quality recycled fabric Prada uses in its Re-Nylon collection. The range of gorgeous colors (choose from 27, or make it bespoke like an OG). The 751 horsepower that propels it from 0 to 60 in 2.7 seconds, which also makes it the fastest electric convertible in the world right now (fitting, since folgore is Italian for lightning). And that signature Maserati engine roar, specially engineered—and delivered through a state-of-the-art sound system—to mimic the vroom of the GranCabrio Folgore’s gas-powered V6-engine sister, Trofeo.
But to really understand how a hulking piece of metal (a mix of aluminum, magnesium, and high-performance steel) can embody sprezzatura—the term was coined by Renaisssance author Baldassare Castiglione in 1528 to describe a certain studied nonchalance—you need to get it on the road. Preferably somewhere in Italy, if only to witness firsthand just how much reverence the Italians have for their cars (schoolchildren will cheer, strangers will wave, pedestrians will yield to you).
Wherever you are in the world, though, you’ll appreciate how those voluptuous curves envelop you in luxurious comfort. You’ll love how nimbly you can maneuver the tightest hairpin turns, thanks to engineering that borrows from the brand’s 1960s Formula 1 race cars without compromising the car’s purpose as a vehicle of leisure. And you’ll be surprised by how easy it is to toggle between its four driving modes, which allow you with the touch of a button to go from doing your best Jennifer Coolidge living la dolce vita to zipping down the Autostrada like Maria Teresa de Filippis, the first woman to race in F1 (she did it in a Maserati, by the way). This latter mode, known as Corsa in both Folgore and Trofeo models, works particularly well in Italy, where they like to say that red lights are merely a suggestion.
A Brief History of Maserati Convertibles
3500 GT Vignale Spyder
In 1957 Maserati launched the 3500 GT, its first mass-produced sports car for road use. Two years later came the convertible version, which had 235 horsepower and was praised by the press as “a work of art in motion.”
Ghibli Spyder
“While the 3500 GT clearly reflected the elegance of the late ’50s, the Ghibli was more audacious, with its long, sharp lines, reflecting the spirit of 1966, when there was so much change in fashion,” Busse says. Henry Ford II was a fan.
4200 GT Spyder
In 1999, when Ferrari took full control of Maserati, the company looked to revive its convertible production. In 2001 the Maserati Spyder, also known as the 4200 GT, was born, with a powerful V8 engine and a top speed of 175 mph.
The true essence of sprezzatura, of course, is that it involves real work. “Like a violinist who performs flawlessly, when something appears effortless it is often the result of significant effort behind the scenes,” Klaus Busse, Maserati’s global head of design, tells T&C. “Similarly, the GranCabrio appears effortless only because we have invested extensively.”
Great design requires a bold vision and a singular philosophy—and a deep understanding of the world we live in. It needs to reflect the times (see: Art Deco) and also transcend them (see again: Art Deco). “Let’s start with the aesthetics and lines,” Busse says. “Our cars are intended to be perceived as rolling sculptures. They are free of aggression, which is incredibly important in today’s context.” Refreshing, too, given the ubiquity in recent years of hulking cars that seem to be built for the apocalypse. (In another example of keen foresight, this summer Maserati unveiled its first power boat, the sleek, stunning, and fully electric Tridente. Crafted in collaboration with Vita Power, it charges in less than an hour and can reach a top speed of 40 knots.)
While an emphasis on soft sensuality and elegant silhouettes has long been the Maserati MO—now for its boats, too—so has a steadfast dedication to living in the present. Consider, for instance, legendary convertibles from eras past, from the 3500 GT Spyders of the ’50s to the 4200 GTs that marked the turn of the millennium. They’re all stunning and iconic, no doubt, but also so different from one another. That, Busse says, is the hallmark of Italian design: “We focus on what is best in the moment. We respect the past, but we don’t need to be constrained by it. We act freely, unburdened by our history. It’s liberating.” Which is not unlike the feeling you get driving with the top down in a $207,000 car.
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