Million Air Fall 2024

INSPIRE TOPCARS

Maserati GranCabrio Folgore This year, Maserati bids arrivederci to the fi nal Ferrari V8 engines that powered the Levante SUV and Ghibli sedan, two dated models that have long since reached the end of the line and have needed replacing. Going forward, Maserati will sell only the MC20 supercar, the Grecale SUV and the GranTurismo — the latter of which receives a convertible variant, dubbed the GranCabrio, late in 2024. The GranCabrio will share a Nettuno V6 engine with the rest of the lineup, in this case tuned to produce 542 hp. More important, the GranCabrio’s Folgore package represents a major step into the electric era. The Folgore drops an internal-combustion engine in favor of three electric motors housed in the same chassis, with two at the rear and one in the front to produce all-wheel drive. Combined output steps up to 760 hp, but can leap to 818 hp for brief pulls in MaxBoost mode. Regardless, all 995 lb-ft of torque hit instantaneously, making this convertible a real screamer — albeit in silence, which adds a newfound spirit of luxury never before explored in the industry. Top-down driving truly never felt so idyllic, especially because the GranCabrio chassis seems better tailored to the electric drivetrain’s weight. A so-called ‘dogbone’ battery layout (rather than the skateboard platform most EV manufacturers rely on) brings the center of gravity inward, while perfectly tuned air suspension contributes to enhanced composure at top speeds as well. Despite weighing almost 1,000 lbs more than the gas-powered GranCabrio, the Folgore handles better in almost every scenario other than the tightest corners — and the EV’s massive power bump versus the ICE motor more than compensates once the road straightens out. This car drives well enough compared to the very best of its gas-powered competition, but is also the only electric convertible on the market today, truly making it a trendsetter in a class of its own. From $207,000, maserati.com

Photos davidedemartis.com