Maserati Introduces the GranCabrio - A convertible Granturismo

A great grand tourer like the Maserati GranTurismo deserves an open-top version for those drives where the scenery is more enjoyable when you can drop the roof. GranTurismo fans can now rejoice as Maserati has announced the all-new GranCabrio. Described by Maserati as an ‘open-top version’ of the Granturismo, the car won’t have a hard time turning heads. Maserati introduced the Trofeo version with hints that other models will follow.

But the GrandCabrio isn’t just a GranTurismo with a convertible roof. It takes some styling cues from the MC20/ target="_black">MC20 to go along with the Nettuno engine that’s quickly becoming Maserati’s most notable feature.

Under the hood, you have the efficient 3-liter twin-turbo V6 Nettuno engine with the now famous Maserati Twin Combustion (MTC) feature. It produces a respectable 542hp along with a roar to put a smile on the face of any high-performance car enthusiast.

Exterior

The GranCabrio comes with vertical front lights similar to those seen in the MC20, giving the car an appealing look that’s similar to the gorgeous MC20.

The rear lights are the same boomerang LEDs as you’ll find on the GranTurismo. The rear wheels are 21” 295/30, while the front wheels are 20” 265/30. Buyers will have six body colors to choose from, while the brake calipers come in five different colors.

The convertible roof is a soft-top to facilitate space savings (crucial for a coupe with four seats), and it opens and tucks away in the trunk in just 14 seconds and closes in 16 seconds.

Interior

On the inside, the GranCabrio offers a ‘balance of the opposites’ philosophy with a sophisticated trim featuring Italian artisanship and carefully selected materials to showcase the design elegance the brand is known for. The seats are described as ‘sporty yet comfortable’ (as one would expect in a grand tourer). These seats are built on a lightweight frame to help with overall weight savings without compromising comfort.

The standard neck warmers on all the seats will help keep all occupants comfortable during a drive with the roof tucked away. The rear seats are also said to be just as comfortable as the ones in front, which would be a rare feature for a 4-door coupe.

Other features include a multi-function steering wheel for that all-important sports car look and a dual touch screen. A 12.3-inch ergonomic central display offers access to controls, including temperature and fan speed, using gestures. It also houses the Maserati Intelligent Assistant (MIA) infotainment system. A 12.2-inch customization digital dashboard with rich graphics completes the well-structured cockpit.

A grand tourer must be able to deliver good music to make the scenic journeys more memorable. With this in mind, Maserati fitted the GranCabrio with a Sonus Faber 3D sound system that delivers the expected audiophile-pleasing audio.

Drive modes accessible from a rotary switch on the steering wheel include COMFORT, GT, SPORT, and the CORSA mode, which offers the most extreme experience. The CORSA mode is the one you want on track day as it does minimal handholding and offers a more direct gas pedal and a very responsive engine and transmission.

Adding yet another option for open-top grand tourers, the GranCabrio should be a worthy competitor once it hits the market.