Maserati Unleashes MC20 and EV Power in New GranTurismo

Chris Teague
by Chris Teague

Maserati’s a strange beast for Americans. It’s not quite as well-known as Ferrari, and when most people want to buy a high-powered Euro sports sedan or coupe, they head to BMW, Audi, or Mercedes. The brand is expanding, though, with vehicles in new segments, such as the Grecale compact SUV and MC20 supercar. One of its long-running models got a significant overhaul for 2023, which brought a more powerful twin-turbo V6 and an electric powertrain to the GranTurismo for the first time.


The 2023 GranTurismo comes in three trims: Modena, Trofeo, and Folgore. Maserati modified the powertrain from its new halo car, the MC20, for the new model. In the Modena trim, the engine makes 490 horsepower and 443 lb-ft of torque, but the top gas-powered Trofeo trim gets a version making 550 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. An eight-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels – a GranTurismo first.


Though it’s a grand tourer and not a ferocious supercar, the GranTurismo is quicker than anyone needs. The Modena trim clocks a 3.9-second run to 62 mph from a standstill, and the Trofeo does it in just 3.5 seconds. Impressive, yes, but not everyone is ready to sign up for a new gas car right now. 


For those people, Maserati offers the GranTurismo Fulgore, a fully electric GT car with 751 horsepower and 996 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers wouldn’t look terribly out of place on a heavy-duty pickup truck meant for towing, but here they help the GranTurismo deliver a 2.7-second 0-62 mph time. The almost 5,000-pound car features unique battery placement, with the unit installed in the transmission tunnel and trunk. 


[Image: Maserati]


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Chris Teague
Chris Teague

Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.

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  • 95_SC 95_SC on Oct 04, 2022

    I’m not sure putting the battery in the trans tunnel and the back is unique. Pretty much every model that isn’t exclusively an EV puts the batteries where the ICE components the electric version doesn’t have normally go. Pretty car though.


  • Bunkie Bunkie on Oct 04, 2022

    From the “you can’t make this stuff up” department, the headline of the ad that occupied the screen right next to the picture of this Maserati read “Blunder #11”


    It’s an in joke in my household as my wife keeps getting offers from one of her financial institutions to lease a Maserati, an offer that is, consistently, declined.

  • Kwik_Shift_Pro4X As much problems as I had with my '96 Chevy Impala SS.....I would love to try one again. I've seen a Dark Cherry Metallic one today and it looked great.
  • Susan O’Neil There is a good reason to keep the Chevrolet Malibu and other 4 door family sedans! You can transport your parents and other somewhat handicapped people comfortably and safety! If someone can stand and pivot you can put them in your car. An armrest in the back seat is appreciated and a handle above the door! Oh…and leather seats so your passenger can slide across the seat! 😊Plus, you can place a full sized wheelchair or walker in the trunk! The car sits a little lower…so it’s doable! I currently have a Ford Fusion and we have a Honda Accord. Our previous cars were Mercury Sables-excellent for transporting handicapped people and equipment! As the population ages-sedans are a very practical choice! POV from a retired handicapped advocate and daughter! 😊
  • Freddie Remember those ads that say "Call your doctor if you still have...after four hours"?You don't need to call your doctor, just get behind the wheel of a CUV. In fact, just look at one.I'm a car guy with finite resources; I can't afford a practical car during the week plus a fun car on the weekend. My solution is my Honda Civic Si 4 door sedan. Maybe yours is a Dodge Charger (a lot of new Chargers are still on dealer lots).
  • Daniel J Interesting in that we have several weeks where the temperature stays below 45 but all weather tires can't be found in a shop anywhere. I guess all seasons are "good enough".
  • Steve Biro For all the talk about sedans vs CUVs and SUVs, I simply can’t bring myself to buy any modern vehicle. And I know it’s only going to get worse.
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