Maserati has always been clever with names, often looking to the winds that blow around Italy and the Mediterranean for inspiration: Mistral, Levante, Grecale, Bora, Khamsin, Ghibli. And as it enters the brave new world of electrification, the brand has resisted the clinical route of prefixing the model name with a lower case “i” or adding an “e” at the end of any new car it electrified. No, Maserati’s electric programme has the magisterial label Folgore — meaning “lightning”.
The maker has recently relaunched the GranTurismo, which gets the Folgore treatment with a fully electric version, becoming the first pure EV to wear the Trident badge. Yet before we celebrate the new line-up of emission-free vehicles we must first honour the runout versions of its petrol-powered equivalents, and — at least for now — the GranTurismo is also offered with an internal combustion engine. It’s not just any old engine either but the same Nettuno unit that powers the glorious MC20 supercar. The semi-skimmed Modena version has 483bhp, but opt for the full-fat Trofeo and you get 542bhp. Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo — another good name. And if you are looking for a grand tourer with seating for four adults, luxury, comfort and a fair degree of emotional feedback from a twin-turbo V6, it’s not a bad place to start.
The GT market is a distinguished and crowded one, containing the Ferrari Roma, Aston Martin DB12 and the Bentley Continental GT. It’s good that Maserati is back in the mix, and it is worth remembering it was once the OG of Italian sportscar manufacturers, making Modena and the surrounding area the motor valley that created some of the most desirable automobiles on the planet before Enzo Ferrari came along and stole its lunch. Maserati is attempting to reinstate itself with some great new products, including the exquisite MC20 — one of the prettiest sports cars on sale today. You’ll also see the brand sponsoring a host of exclusive events, such as the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, to help to cement its glamorous reputation.
The GranTurismo II is not a million miles from the car it replaces, but the first version was a handsome-looking vehicle, so it was sensible not to stray too far in terms of design. Being back in the supercar business with the MC20 has perhaps given Maserati licence not to chase any perceived track prowess with the GranTurismo, which seems almost docile at slow speeds and mercifully soft on its suspension, at least in comparison with some of its contemporaries. Nonetheless, the GranTurismo comes alive when you press the right pedal. It’s not quite as sonorous as the old naturally aspirated V8 it replaces, but the Nettuno is a refined engine and it really fires up in Sport or Corsa mode.
Some of the best cars have a clearly defined Jekyll and Hyde personality. Some days you want to be cosseted and restful, but switch from the almost lazy GT setting to Sport and this model undergoes a personality change that makes you want to drive around like your hair is on fire. Two cars for the price of one is no bad thing. On the one hand, it is almost an old-fashioned grand tourer that is comfortable and compliant; on the other, it’s an urgent express that covers ground rapidly should you wish.
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This new GranTurismo is now a genuine consideration when buying a new GT. Folgore will forge the future, but the internal combustion forebears uphold the history.
