Tuesday 22nd February 2011

Revealed: Maserati GranCabrio S

Maser soft-top gets a sporty edge for Geneva show

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Maserati is set to reveal an edgier version of its GranCabrio four-seat soft-top at the Geneva motor show.

Called the GranCabrio Sport, the new car gets an extra 10bhp and 14lb ft of torque, bringing outputs for its 4.7-litre V8 to 444bhp and 376lb ft respectively.

In order to achieve this, Maserati has put the engine through what it calls a 'Friction Reduction Program'. Apparently, this makes the V8 more powerful and more "reactive to the driver's most-nuanced inputs" (not our words), as well as six per cent more fuel-efficient.

The six-speed ZF auto has been equipped with 'MC Auto Shift' software and has been developed for the GranCabrio Sport directly from the transmission in the Quattroporte Sport GT S. According to Maserati, this provides an 'optimised gearshift response'.

The handling has been tweaked, too, with the Skyhook active-suspension system revised to provide a sportier ride, and the adoption of grooved and drilled brake discs.

Visually, the GranCabrio Sport is given a spruce-up in the form of a black grille, headlights with a 'black look' and white sidemarks, while front corner splitters and the redesigned side skirts are both body coloured.

A new body colour also makes its debut: Rosso Trionfale, which has been inspired by Italian racing red (think 1957, Juan Manuel Fangio and a Maserati 250F).

The GranCabrio Sport Goes on sale this summer.

[paynter17]

yes please !

[Swifty Stig]

gorgeous! want!

[Pixel Pusher]

I cannot find a single thing wrong with that.

[DeltaEvo2]

So much want!

[nouze]

mmmmmmmmmmmaserati

[SleeperCell]

Good as it is, it would be better with a V12

[dberkmen]

Ahhh, so that's where the California's been hiding.... ;-)

[AyBee]

Absolutely stunning

[standfree93]

That is beautiful!

[pilchardthecat]

The rear doesn't really work for me aethetically, but i think i could live with it

[Mermaid]

Passion. bellissimo

[Luca Brasi]

Best looking convertible available.

[dvance]

Pixel Pusher said:

I cannot find a single thing wrong with that.

I can! It's not sat in my driveway and I seem to be missing the keys

[JCB123]

Luca Brasi said:

Best looking convertible available.

What he said...

[carnut360]

stunning ... now why can't someone make a replica of that with a ford cougar!

[jake15919]

Bellissimo. My local Alfa dealer has started selling a few Maseratis and last time I took the 159 for a service I had a sneaky 'test drive' of a GranCabrio with one of the sales guys I know. The GranCabrio is a jewel of a car. It is huge though.

[edinph]

jake15919 said:

Bellissimo. My local Alfa dealer has started selling a few Maseratis and last time I took the 159 for a service I had a sneaky 'test drive' of a GranCabrio with one of the sales guys I know. The GranCabrio is a jewel of a car. It is huge though.

So size does matter!

[Pixel Pusher]

dvance said:

Pixel Pusher said:

I cannot find a single thing wrong with that.

I can! It's not sat in my driveway and I seem to be missing the keys

OK, you're right, but other than that it's perfect.

[MonteV]

Fabulous looks. Shame about the luggage space.

[Gun]

IMO Maserati make the best looking cars available at the moment, it's just stunning!