Maserati has a new convertible, and it’s one of the few electric convertibles on the market. Known as the GranCabrio Folgore, it’s the open-top alternative to the existing GranTurismo Folgore, with which it shares a drivetrain and almost everything else.
The basics are tempting, even if they are shared with the GranTurismo. The transmission includes three radial flux permanent magnet motors, each with its own silicon carbide inverter. Two are at the rear and one at the front. Each can support up to 300 kilowatts of power, which means a theoretical maximum output of 900 kW (1,207 horsepower). Unfortunately, the battery cannot provide this amount of power even in a short burst. Maserati claims a maximum power of 818 hp (610 kW) in “MaxBoost” mode. In standard operation, 751 hp is available.
The battery is a T-shaped lithium-ion pack, located between and behind the passengers. This achieves the GranCabrio’s classic proportions, which would likely have been ruined by a thick floor-mounted battery. The pack is a 92.5 kWh unit, but only 83 kWh is used. This means that Maserati is limiting the maximum charge voltage – and perhaps minimum discharge voltage – of each cell, which will likely extend the life of the entire pack.
Under regenerative braking, the pack can absorb an impressive 400 kW of power for a short time. In terms of continuous charging, it may take 270 kW for an efficient station to recover 20 to 80% in 18 minutes. Interestingly, Maserati seems to doubt the availability of charging stations that can support the car’s 800-volt architecture. As such, it has a built-in “DC Booster”, which is like a DC-DC converter capable of transforming the lower voltage of an older station into the more than 800 volts needed to charge the Folgore pack. If this system is used, it can charge at 50 kW. Much better than nothing.
44 Pictures
GMC’s Hummer EV has a similar feature. However, this car appears to use contactors rather than a DC-DC converter to wire the two halves of the vehicle’s pack in series (800V) during charging and in parallel (400V) during normal driving.
Other interesting transmission tricks include paddles to adjust the vehicle’s regeneration level and a system to tell the driver when to regenerate and when to coast to maximize the car’s available range, which is indicated at 278 miles on the European WLTP cycle.
Supported by double wishbones at the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, the GranCabrio Folgore has all the luxury amenities you would expect. Up to 16 speakers in the audio system, seat-mounted heaters that blow across each passenger’s neck, and an interior suited to the vehicle’s six-figure price tag. The exact cost of the car, as well as when it will arrive at dealerships, have not yet been announced.
Maserati has a new convertible, and it’s one of the few electric convertibles on the market. Known as the GranCabrio Folgore, it’s the open-top alternative to the existing GranTurismo Folgore, with which it shares a drivetrain and almost everything else.
The basics are tempting, even if they are shared with the GranTurismo. The transmission includes three radial flux permanent magnet motors, each with its own silicon carbide inverter. Two are at the rear and one at the front. Each can support up to 300 kilowatts of power, which means a theoretical maximum output of 900 kW (1,207 horsepower). Unfortunately, the battery cannot provide this amount of power even in a short burst. Maserati claims a maximum power of 818 hp (610 kW) in “MaxBoost” mode. In standard operation, 751 hp is available.
The battery is a T-shaped lithium-ion pack, located between and behind the passengers. This achieves the GranCabrio’s classic proportions, which would likely have been ruined by a thick floor-mounted battery. The pack is a 92.5 kWh unit, but only 83 kWh is used. This means that Maserati is limiting the maximum charge voltage – and perhaps minimum discharge voltage – of each cell, which will likely extend the life of the entire pack.
Under regenerative braking, the pack can absorb an impressive 400 kW of power for a short time. In terms of continuous charging, it may take 270 kW for an efficient station to recover 20 to 80% in 18 minutes. Interestingly, Maserati seems to doubt the availability of charging stations that can support the car’s 800-volt architecture. As such, it has a built-in “DC Booster”, which is like a DC-DC converter capable of transforming the lower voltage of an older station into the more than 800 volts needed to charge the Folgore pack. If this system is used, it can charge at 50 kW. Much better than nothing.
44 Pictures
GMC’s Hummer EV has a similar feature. However, this car appears to use contactors rather than a DC-DC converter to wire the two halves of the vehicle’s pack in series (800V) during charging and in parallel (400V) during normal driving.
Other interesting transmission tricks include paddles to adjust the vehicle’s regeneration level and a system to tell the driver when to regenerate and when to coast to maximize the car’s available range, which is indicated at 278 miles on the European WLTP cycle.
Supported by double wishbones at the front and a multi-link suspension at the rear, the GranCabrio Folgore has all the luxury amenities you would expect. Up to 16 speakers in the audio system, seat-mounted heaters that blow across each passenger’s neck, and an interior suited to the vehicle’s six-figure price tag. The exact cost of the car, as well as when it will arrive at dealerships, have not yet been announced.