Maserati has decided to abandon its electric supercar, believing that there wouldn't be sufficient demand for it.

      Maserati

      Unfortunately, Maserati has announced that its electric MC20 Folgore project will not proceed due to insufficient customer interest. It's disappointing to see the MC20 EV being shelved before it had a chance to showcase what an electric powertrain could achieve in an Italian supercar. Regrettably, various European sources report that Maserati will not be the one to bring this vision to fruition. The Drive has reached out to the automaker for a statement and will provide updates once received.

      As reported by the British publication Evo, Maserati's official statement is that “The project was halted due to current projections of inadequate demand in the super sports car market for a battery electric vehicle.” Maserati had initially aimed to launch six EV models by 2026, including the MC20 Folgore. However, during a recent earnings call, Stellantis’ CFO Doug Ostermann indicated that the Italian supercar maker would forgo a planned $1.59 billion investment. The company acknowledged that this would result in the cancellation of several upcoming EVs from Maserati, with the MC20 Folgore being the first to be axed.

      Maserati MC20 Cielo. Maserati Maserati

      The reasons for this reduction in EV plans not only stem from Maserati’s 58% sales decline in 2024 compared to 2023 but also from particularly weak sales in China, its second-largest market.

      “We must acknowledge the dynamics within that sector, especially in the Chinese market, and our expectations regarding the pace at which the luxury market would shift to electrification,” Ostermann stated according to Autocar.

      In place of the MC20 Folgore, it is reported that Maserati will be updating the standard MC20 soon, likely incorporating enhancements from the new GT2 Stradale. However, this seems to be an action that would occur independently of the electric variant. Furthermore, an electric MC20 Folgore appears to have been a more promising investment than the GT2 Stradale; Maserati is unlikely to attract many customers from established models like the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, making it more sensible to introduce something new and distinctive to the market. The MC20 is already an excellent driving machine, and equipping it with the 818-horsepower, triple-motor setup from the GranTurismo Folgore would have been incredibly exhilarating. I’m among the enthusiasts who find convertible EVs appealing, so I would have welcomed the introduction of an MC20 Cielo Folgore.

      Maserati GranTurismo Folgore. Maserati

      On the subject of the GranTurismo Folgore, it better not be at risk of cancellation. I had the opportunity to experience the electric grand tourer on the track, and it was a thrilling ride. It can handle slides like the top-tier sports cars available, and it feels remarkably natural to drive due to the smart battery packaging. It doesn’t feel like an electric sports car; it simply feels like a sports car without the engine noise. It remains the best EV I’ve driven, and it would be a shame for it to be discontinued prematurely.

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