Maserati knows the future is all-electric powertrains. The industry is changing and you'll pay a huge price if you don't keep up. Last September, we learned the Italian automaker's new slate of models will adopt hybrid and battery electric propulsion systems. Later this year, the Maserati Ghibli is expected to offer a hybrid system but the next-generation Maserati Gran Turismo, however, will be fully electric. We still don't know when the new Gran Turismo will arrive but Maserati has just released new information that it could be coming relatively soon.

The automaker has just announced it has begun testing its first 100 percent electric powertrain. No outside help was sought. This is 100 percent Maserati technology developed at its Innovation Lab in Modena, Italy.

But there's another key ingredient under development that's essential for an automaker like Maserati: the vehicle's sound. As we all know, EVs are, for the most part, nearly silent. Maseratis, on the other hand, are famous for their enchanting blare of controlled explosions. Therefore, an entirely unique sound must be created from scratch. Maserati's EV powertrain is still in the experimental phase, but already it's declaring this electric engine will have a distinctive sound.

We get a preview of it in the included video and, we must say, it sounds pretty damn good. Sure, it's not the same as a rumbling naturally aspirated V8, but the end of every era is also the start of a new one.

Maserati goes on to state its new electric propulsion system "will combine driving pleasure, comfort and performance with a unique and unmistakable sound." Testing is being done on both the road and track. The brief glimpses of the test vehicle in the video reveal another interesting piece of information.

MMXXI is the year 2021, which is when Maserati's new electric future will begin.