At this Shanghai Auto Show, Maserati booth ushered in the world premiere of the new Greka pure electric SUV, and the new GranTurismo sports car made its debut in Asia, which not only showed the pure Italian temperament as always, but also marked that Maserati became the first Italian ultra-luxury car brand to launch pure electric vehicles.
Maserati, which actively embraces the trend of the times, has thus opened a landmark Vogel strategy-all Maserati models will be listed in 2025 and fully electric by 2030.
This year's long-lost Shanghai Auto Show is not only an international exhibition, but also a platform to share the top innovation achievements of the global auto industry, and it is also an excellent occasion for the first pure electric vehicle in the history of Trident brand. From Shanghai Auto Show to Milan Design Week in 2023, Maserati will also celebrate and wish the promising future journey of Ergol electrification strategy in different forms around the world.
One year after the hybrid version and the fuel version came out, the new Greka pure electric SUV arrived as scheduled. Since then, Greka has become the most complete product line since Maserati was born. 100% Italian design and production, with 400V technology as the core, combined with high-performance battery with capacity of 105 kWh, can provide the maximum torque of 820 Nm and the maximum output power above 500 HP.
The first color electro-optic copper was inspired by contemporary architecture, especially the facade of Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. The anodized base is inlaid with high-gloss black inserts, and the spoiler, door handle, window frame trim and side skirt are all bright black. At the same time, it is equipped with a copper logo and brake calipers, which adds scientific and technological attributes to the luminous "shark gills". Is the interior ECONYL? The recycled nylon fiber environmental protection material, after the unique laser cutting process, makes the high-tech interior realize its environmental protection commitment without losing its luxurious nature.
Maserati's other heavyweight star model, the new GranTurismo pure electric sports car, also appeared at the auto show, which not only marked the shining return of the idol model that amazed everyone 75 years ago, but also became the first model equipped with 100% pure electric system in the history of Trident brand.
The power system of the new GranTurismo pure electric sports car takes 800V technology as the core, adopts the cutting-edge technology from Formula E, and is equipped with three powerful 300kW permanent magnet motors. The total installed power exceeds 1200 HP, which can continuously transmit amazing power to the wheels over 750 HP. The combination of cutting-edge technology and extreme mechanical design has achieved an acceleration of 2.7 seconds per 100 kilometers and a top speed of 325 km/h, and the Trident gene born for the track has been awakened again.
The new GranTurismo pure electric sports car inherits the elegant appearance of Maserati brand and establishes a unique new style-the unique integrated front hatch cover and the main body are connected by four fenders, and the body proportion is further emphasized. The roof line pours down, and the C-pillar curve engraved with the trident logo is smoother and more flexible. The front and rear rims of the vehicle are designed differently to achieve excellent aerodynamic performance and push Maserati's ultimate performance to the peak.
The battery is manufactured by Milla fiori battery factory in Turin and can continuously transmit about 750 horsepower to the wheels. The ultra-low sitting posture realized by the T-type battery pack has become another proof of the "zero compromise" of the new GranTurismo pure electric sports car. At the same time, the innovative design and specific layout of the battery further reduce the inertia coefficient of the vehicle, and control the height of the vehicle at 1353 mm without affecting the motion properties, which brings more agile operation experience.
By boosting the motor, the vehicle has more flexible torque distribution, thus achieving a higher extreme value. In order to further improve the handling experience, the main controller of the vehicle domain control module is in the core position, which is a project independently developed by Maserati 100%, covering all software systems that control the core functions of the vehicle, ensuring that Maserati should have excellent driving pleasure under any circumstances.
The brand-new GranTurismo Trofeo sports car unveiled at the same time as the pure electric vehicle is Maserati's iconic GT spirit representative, which perfectly combines seemingly contradictory sports performance with long-distance luxury and comfort, setting a new benchmark for market segments. Trofeo, a symbol of high-performance car identity, has a red outline of the C-pillar trident logo, which adds personality to the details. The whole vehicle is equipped with a 3.0-liter "Nettuno Poseidon" engine, full-time four-wheel drive, which can explode 542 horsepower, perfectly unifying the thrill of adrenaline soaring and leisurely elegance.
We also had the honor to communicate with Bernard Loire, chief commercial officer of Maserati, at the auto show.
Driving style: Maserati's brand-new GranTurismo sports car is a product that embodies the essence of Maserati and also sets a new brand style. What do you expect from this car? What does it mean to the brand at this stage?
Bernard Loire: As an iconic model of Maserati, the Gran Turismo sports car has a legendary history of 75 years. Now, we plan to push the iconic models into a new era of electric power. For us, this is a milestone leap, which can combine Maserati's track genes with electric drive technology to retain the passionate driving experience.
The brand-new GranTurismo pure electric sports car is our first pure electric car, and its listing marks Maserati becoming the first Italian luxury car brand to realize pure electric drive. After that, Maserati will launch other series of pure electric vehicles, which is undoubtedly a new chapter of the brand. The new model means that Maserati has entered the era of electrification. In the future, the essence of brands such as surging performance and Italian luxury that have been inherited before will be integrated into pure electric vehicles.
When is the new model planned to be sold in China market?
Bernard Loire: It is expected to be mass-produced in Italy at the end of this summer and sold in China in early 2024.
Driving style:? Maserati has carried out a series of very successful marketing plans in China, such as cooperation with the game Peace Elite. We saw Ghibli car, MC20 sports car, QP president and Grecale SUV all appeared in the game, which also caused great repercussions among young consumers and further strengthened the brand's high-end image. Today, Maserati's new Greka ushered in the world's first show of pure electric SUV. Who are the main consumers that Maserati wants to win through it?
Bernard Loire: Generally speaking, consumers in China market are younger than those in other markets around the world. The target customers of the new Greka pure electric SUV will also be oriented to emerging consumers. At the same time, we believe that the new model can also be an ideal choice for women's cars or family cars, and the urban attributes brought by pure electricity will also show Italian luxury in more cities.
Driving style: MC20 CIELO roadster is a very competitive model at home and abroad, and it is also my personal favorite model. What is its most popular market at present? At the moment when the trend of electrification is getting stronger and stronger, what role does it play in Maserati's models for sale? What does it mean to the brand?
Bernard Loire: At present, it is more popular in the North American market, and the United States is still the largest market in the super-running market segment. As a super sports car, the launch of MC20 symbolizes Maserati's shining return in the super-running market, and explains Maserati's super-running soul. It marks our determination to return to the track and the inheritance of the track foundation. The convertible model combines extraordinary performance and driving pleasure, and has a strong Italian style. At the same time, the unique and exclusive color matching of the car body is also unforgettable.
Driving style:? Maserati's iconic roar has always fascinated consumers. Do you think it will be a problem in the age of electrification? Or will it be a unique opportunity for Maserati?
Bernard Loire: Even in the era of electrification, we expect a product to have the spirit and soul of Maserati, provide Italian luxury experience and extraordinary performance, and then be driven by electricity. Therefore, when we design pure electric vehicles, we will also interpret them accordingly. Through special research and design, combined with the characteristics of the new car itself, the sound of the inverter-driven motor is digitally shaped, combined with the traditional engine roar, to create a unique auditory feast of Trident, to obtain a very special roar, to continue Maserati's tradition, which will also be the symbolic element of Maserati's future models.
Driving style:? After the further development of electrification, have you noticed the development of some domestic independent brands? Some China brands have risen and tried to gain a foothold in the high-end market. What do you think of these changes?
Bernard Loire: It's gratifying to see so many new products and brands. Just as new brands have their own development strategies, Maserati, as an Italian luxury brand with a long history, will celebrate the birthday of 1 10 next year, which means that we will also adopt a brand-new global strategy. Now is our chance to create history, and it is also an opportunity for other brands to create their own history. This is the charm of the market.
At the same time, market positioning is very important. Just as Maserati is an Italian luxury brand, its future positioning will also be an Italian electric luxury brand. Different brands have their own choices and positioning, and for automobile brands, being able to maintain their positioning is a kind of wealth. In addition, traditional brands and new forces do not conflict. What a traditional brand should do is to grasp the changes of the times, so as to maintain its vitality.
Driving style:? In this era of design change, considering Maserati's foothold in the automobile market, do you have any special feelings?
Bernard Loire: From my personal point of view, adopting more high technology will be the development trend of vehicle design, such as adopting new materials for interior or exterior decoration and adopting environmental protection style as a whole. Maserati is characterized by adhering to its own design concept and philosophy, adopting its own Italian style and never drifting with the tide, which is also our advantage.
Take the brand-new GranTurismo electric sports car as an example. As a high-tech car, it uses many cutting-edge technologies, but its design style is still pure and elegant, even if the times change. This is Maserati's eternal design style. In addition, as an ultra-luxury brand, when consumers choose a product, it often means recognition of the brand concept and inheritance spirit. Our designers combine fashion aesthetics with inheritance genes, and the consumers who choose Maserati must also be people who fit in with us to some extent.
Driving style:? Do you have any special feelings and observations about the China automobile market during your visit to China?
Bernard Loire: China is a technology-driven market, which has developed rapidly in recent years. At the same time, China consumers have high expectations for product quality and service, which is undoubtedly an ideal platform for Maserati. We look forward to providing more products and services with the essence of Italian luxury, taking our own Italian style as a competitive advantage and realizing differentiated competition.
In today's China automobile market where a hundred schools of thought contend, "quantity" seems to be the fastest way to be seen among the dazzling choices. Italian ultra-luxury brand Maserati bears the brunt of the electrification process.
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