In September, just like last year, I travelled to Italy. This included factory visits and test drives at Dallara, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati on the menu. This time the plan was slightly different: Maserati, Ferrari and Pagani - and as you could read earlier, I also ended up at Bacchelli & Villa completely by chance. In the order I mention them were also the car companies I would visit and test drive models at. So, quite logically, I start with Maserati and the day I got to experience with GranCabrio Folgore.

The last time I was down at Maserati and lent a car for testing was last year and then it was about the model Gran Turismo 75th Anniversary. The time before that was 2018 and then it was the model Levante S which was the focus. When I arrive at the factory this morning, I am well taken care of and offered coffee. Outside the factory at the front is the car I will borrow parked. Perfect opportunity to take some snapshots to post on Instagram.

Borrowing the Maserati GranCabrio Folgore directly from the factory in Modena and driving it for a full day provides a unique opportunity to truly understand what this new electric GT convertible is all about. The GranCabrio Folgore is an unusual combination of Italian elegance, advanced engineering and pure electric power, and as mentioned, in GT convertible format. Those of you who follow me here on carscollection.com know that I like electric cars for their performance, smoothness and how that combination contributes to very high comfort. Which is something you like to have lots of in a car like this.

Maserati has a long tradition of combining exclusive design with sporty character, ever since the Maserati brothers founded the company in Bologna in 1914 and later moved operations to Modena. Whatever the model or era, the brand has retained its distinct identity: a mix of passion, elegance and driving pleasure that sets it apart from other Italian sports car manufacturers. With the Folgore range, Maserati steps into the era - but without losing its soul. Rather, it feels like a natural step in the evolution of their classic GT philosophy.

The GranCabrio Folgore uses three electric motors and four-wheel drive, but it's the experience rather than the technology that impresses most. Power is smooth and linear, and the car feels more like a traditional GT than a typical electric performance car. The battery sits low in the car and provides a nice balance, which is immediately noticeable when cornering on the twisty roads south of Maranello. It feels stable, quiet and confident, and at the same time playful enough to make driving really entertaining.

The WLTP range is around 420-450 kilometres, and thanks to the 800-volt architecture, fast charging is quick and easy. A short break easily provides enough range to continue the journey, making the car equally suitable for longer trips, city driving or summer excursions.

Despite being a convertible, the body has impressive rigidity, and the clear sense of Maserati's traditional GT character remains even when the roof is down. Adaptive dampers and intelligent power distribution make the car feel controlled in both slow and fast corners. And the brakes - both regenerative and mechanical - provide a natural and confident feel whatever your driving style.

My trip this day went up to Castelvetro di Modena where I found a nice restaurant by the square for lunch - and also a perfect place to photograph the car. The road there offered really nice driving and gave me plenty of opportunities to take pictures both stationary and at speed. I took the static shots in the square just outside the restaurant where I had lunch, and I also took the opportunity to take some drone shots over the area.

One of the pictures I took on the way to Castelvetro di Modena was a so-called rigging picture. It's a picture where the car looks like it's driving at high speed with me behind the wheel. I mount a tripod on the car and drive a few metres forward with a slow shutter speed, which makes the car razor sharp while the background is swept out at speed. Then I edit out the tripod so that it looks like the camera is hovering either behind or in front of the car. The image below was taken using that technique.

When I later return to the factory to return the car, I also get to experience some motorway driving. I decide to put the roof up, and it is impressive how quiet and at the same time how incredibly fast the Maserati GranCabrio Folgore is - performance on a par with a pure super sports car.

The sound experience is also at the same high level, but in a different way because the car is silent. Maserati has equipped the GranCabrio Folgore with a premium sound system from Sonus faber, the legendary Italian speaker brand known for its hand-built components, natural sound and world-class acoustics. The system uses customised drivers and an advanced amplifier to deliver a warm, detailed and powerful sound - more like a high-end hi-fi system than a car stereo.

My hobby since many years is being a DJ and playing and mixing vinyl records. So the last bit back I am therefore enjoying 100 per cent my latest DJ mix, the fortieth I have recorded, and through the Sonus faber speakers, every detail and bass line sounds absolutely fantastic. A perfect end to a truly memorable day with GranCabrio Folgore.

Maserati GranCabrio Folgore

Price: approximately ≈ 2 100 000 SEK

Engine: Electric (three electric motors)

Power: 761 hp / 1 350 Nm

Drivetrain: All-wheel drive (AWD)

Acceleration: 0-100 km/h in 2.8 s

Top speed: 290 km/h

Service weight: approximately 2 340 kg

Dimensions (length/width/height): 4 966 / 1 957 / 1 365 mm