Maserati Grecale Folgore first drive | Electric SUV makes debut

Maserati is at the beginning of its transition from internal combustion engines (ICE) to fully electric models and the Grecale SUV is at the forefront of that shift.

It is the brand’s first key electric model in the corporate space and joins a growing pool of rivals, which includes the Audi SQ6 e-tron, BMW iX, Lotus Eletre, Mercedes EQE and Porsche Macan.

As the majority of premium electric cars currently sell to fleet customers, Maserati has been gearing up for a boost in corporate sales ahead of the car’s arrival as its 2% benefit-in-kind tax rate is particularly appealing.

Large volume deals are off the cards, however, as the brand seeks to retain its exclusivity.

The Grecale sits at the larger end of the mid-size SUV segment, offering a spacious interior and a 535-litre boot. Petrol versions of the car will continue to be sold alongside the new electric variant.

Electric Maseratis use the ‘Folgore’ moniker to differentiate themselves from ICE models. The Italian word means ‘lightning’.

There are no major styling changes, just a slightly different grille and some new alloy wheel designs. If you want your EV to fly under the radar, then this will fit the bill.

On the inside, the regular Grecale’s high-end interior is carried over. Even the weighted metal gearshift paddles have been re-purposed to control the regenerative braking function.

The dashboard contains a pair of touchscreen displays which contain the infotainment and climate controls. A third display sits in front of the driver, as an instrument cluster. The user interface looks a little messy at first glance but it’s pretty straightforward to use.

We also found the trip computer controls on the steering wheel a little fiddly and, for some reason, the volume buttons are hidden on the back of the steering wheel.

The cabin is plush, comfortable and offers the type of refinement you’d expect from a premium car - especially at higher speeds.

The Grecale Folgore is equipped with a dual motor powertrain that develops 557PS and 820Nm of torque. A 105kWh (97kWh useable) battery supplies enough energy for a 310-mile range (WLTP).

As a result, the car is suitably rapid. Acceleration from 0-62mph takes 4.1 seconds and power delivery is instant if you floor the throttle.

When you accelerate, a subtle noise is piped into the cabin. Thankfully, it’s not overbearing or gimmicky and goes away when you settle down to a cruising speed.

Deploying full power can be little unwieldy on the wrong type of road. The Grecale is a big and heavy car, after all. It tips the scales at almost 2.5-tonnes and while its air suspension does a reasonable job, the front end can exhibit a degree of torque steer requiring a firm grasp on the steering wheel.

Thankfully the throttle response is easy to modulate, making it easier to control the power reserves.

There’s not much body roll at all and you can firm things up using the drive mode controls on the steering wheel. In any setting the steering remains light and extremely quick, making the Grecale feel particularly nimble and eager to change direction.

Things settle down on the motorway, where the car feels more at home as a cruiser while retaining the satisfying ability to separate itself from tailing vehicles in a split second.

During our testing we saw average efficiency of 2.3mi/kWh – suggesting a range of around 230 miles would be possible. This included a stint at motorway speeds and some spirited driving. A more cautious approach should net 2.5mi/kWh, which would give around 260 miles of driving.

The battery uses dated 400-volt technology rather than the latest 800v setup. DC fast charging is therefore capped at 150kW, enabling a 20% to 80% charge in 29 minutes. It also supports AC charging at up to 22kW.

Maserati is limiting the Grecale Folgore to just one trim level, with a starting price of £109,905.

Herein lies the problem. It puts the car in a conflicting position as Porsche is offering the electric Macan in a variety of derivatives, from £67,200. Even the range topping Turbo model is £15 grand cheaper.

There’s also a number of larger electric SUVs that are significantly faster than the Grecale, such as the BMW iX M60, Lotus Eletre R and Mercedes AMG EQE 53, that aren't much more expensive.

The Grecale doesn’t really stand out in any particular area, then - be it acceleration, charging speed, range or price - when compared to the latest crop of high-end electric SUVs from other manufacturers.

Maserati certainly redeems itself when it comes to styling, specification and exclusivity, which are undoubtedly all key considerations for buyers in this price bracket. There’s a degree of Italian flair, too, but it’s difficult to justify that six-figure price tag among more capable alternatives.