Maserati's Grecale Folgore EV SUV flashes into Korea

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Maserati's Grecale Folgore EV SUV flashes into Korea

Published: 16 Oct. 2024, 16:56

SARAH CHEA
chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr

Audio report: written by reporters, read by AI

Maserati Korea unveiled the all-electric Grecale Folgore SUV for the Korean market Wednesday. [MASERATI KOREA]

Maserati unveiled the Grecale Folgore SUV Wednesday, its first-ever pure electric car for Korea, as the Italian luxury marque’s first step in an ambiguous revival in the domestic market.

With the Folgore's arrival, Maserati now offers the full Grecale lineup in Korea, along with the GT, Modena, and Trofeo models that have been available in the market since 2022.

The all-electric SUV, named after the Italian word for "lightning," comes with a 105-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery produced by China's CATL, which can travel up to 500 kilometers (311 miles) on a single charge according to European certification. Korea's Environment Ministry is currently working on certifying the range.

The vehicle can generate up to 550 horsepower, with a maximum speed hitting 220 kilometers per hour.

The Grecale Modena and GT are powered by a four-cylinder mild hybrid engine capable of delivering up to 330 horsepower.

The Grecale Trofeo, the most high-performance version, is equipped with a six-cylinder petrol engine and boasts a maximum of 530 horsepower.

“Korea is one of the most important markets for Maserati; Korean customers have a strong appreciation for Italian design and culture, and we are confident that our emphasis on the values of Italian luxury, performance, and innovation, with 'Allegria' as a north star, will resonate more and more with our Korean audience," Maserati Chief Marketing Officer Giovanni Perosino said during an unveiling event Wednesday at the Grand Walkerhill Hotel in eastern Seoul, referencing the Italian word for "joy" and "excitement" that is at the core of the brand's strategy.

Maserati is planning to offer the Fuoriserie program to the full Grecale lineups starting next year, a personalization program that allows customers to design their Maserati to match their own unique specifications.

The Italian premium brand established a Korean sales subsidiary in July, vowing to heavily boost sales in the domestic market, where the popularity of luxury cars is on a constant rise.

Maserati aims to introduce an all-electric GranTurismo coupe and GranCabrio sports car within the year.

The Italian brand sold a total of 203 vehicles in the Korean market this year through the end of September, down 39.2 percent during the same period last year.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]