Maserati has abandoned its plans to release the fully electric MC20 Folgore, a decision attributed to insufficient customer interest. The electric variant, slated for launch this year, has been scrapped, but an updated version of the gasoline-powered MC20 is in development.
The MC20 Folgore was initially announced in the fall of 2020, designed with a tri-motor powertrain intended to outperform the internal combustion engine (ICE) version. Maserati’s then-CEO, Davide Grasso, had previously stated the electric model would arrive in 2025, emphasizing the company’s commitment to electrification. That plan has now been reversed.
In a statement provided to Car & Driver, a Maserati spokesperson revealed that market research, particularly among MC20 customers, indicated a strong preference for powerful ICE engines. These buyers, the spokesperson noted, are not ready to switch to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) in the near future.
This news follows the GranTurismo Folgore, an EV that starts at $192,000 and features a tri-motor powertrain generating up to 751 horsepower (560 kW / 761 PS) and 995 lb-ft (1,348 Nm) of torque. This setup allows the all-wheel-drive coupe to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (0 to 96 km/h) in 2.6 seconds, achieve a top speed of 202 mph (325 km/h), and travel 233 miles (375 km) on a single charge.
The decision to cancel the Folgore was initially reported by Autocar, which also mentioned Maserati’s plans to update the MC20. The facelifted model may incorporate design elements from the MC20 GT2 Stradale, a race-inspired version using an upgraded twin-turbo 3.0-liter V6 producing 631 horsepower (471 kW / 640 PS) and 531 lb-ft (720 Nm) of torque.
The scrapping of the MC20 Folgore raises questions about Maserati’s future in the EV market, but this is not the first sports car to face cancellation. The Alfieri concept, unveiled at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, promised a production model shortly thereafter, slated to arrive before 2018 in coupe and convertible formats with multiple engine options. However, like many plans from the old Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) era, the Alfieri never materialized.
