Despite the current short daylight hours and winter chill, Maserati owners can get set for the summer months with the local launch of the exotic GranCabrio.
Priced at $338,000, the V8-powered GranCabrio is the Italian marque’s first four-seat open top model.
The hood weighs just 65 kgs and takes only 20 seconds to automatically lower – which can be done from inside or outside the car. And with the Maserati GranCabrio, you don’t have to be stationary as the roof can be operated at speeds up to 30km/h – its operation just takes a little longer at 28 seconds.
Maserati has designed the roof with five cross bars and three protection groups so it remains stiff and doesn’t flap at speed. In fact cold and wet weather prototype testing for the hood and also snow and ice calibration for the stability control system was undertaken on New Zealand’s South Island.
Based on the Maserati GranTurisomo coupe, much engineering work has been injected to ensure the four-seat GranCabrio – which Maserati says has the longest wheelbase in its segment – delivers the driving dynamics of the GranTurismo.
The drivetrain retains Maserati’s 4.7-litre, 90-degree V8 engine with maximum power of 323kW at 7,000 rpm. Drive is to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission developed to handle the high engine speeds which are part of the Maserati allure.
Maserati says the GranCabrio requires just 5.3 seconds to accelerate from zero to 100km/h and its top speed is around 283k/h.
Naturally, the chassis delivers remarkable road-holding and refinement – it’s a Skyhook system with continuously variable damping and all of the usual electronic aids.
Inside are ventilation and audio systems which automatically adjust to cope with varying demands in either closed-roof or open-top driving, an upgraded security system and even bespoke fitted luggage for the boot and rear seat.
While individual exclusivity is encouraged (Maserati offers nine million combinations of trim and colour) the GranCabrio sees the introduction of six different hood covers, two new leather interiors and three new dashboard trims.
