Maserati has unmasked its new GranTurismo convertible grand tourer ahead of the model going into production later this year. The fabric-roofed sports car is essentially an open-topped version of the GranTurismo we drove last year and comes with the same 3.0-litre V6 petrol powerplant.
Hear the roar
Maserati developed the GranCabrio in tandem with its GranTurismo sibling, so the two cars look similar below the window line. However, the GranCabrio is marked out by its folding fabric hood, which will be available in a choice of five different colours. Raised and lowered electrically at the touch of an icon on the central touchscreen, the hood takes 14 seconds to retract into its stowed position.
When the roof is tucked away in the boot, Maserati says the "engine's roar is all-encompassing."
The Italian company says it stuck with a fabric hood to save space when it is stowed, and the company also claims the roof can be raised or lowered at speeds of up to 50km/h. What's more, Maserati has promised "thermal and acoustic comfort" when the roof is raised.
As well as changing the roof, Maserati has also promised to include neck-warming technology in the front seats as standard, allowing the driver and front passenger to choose from three different heating intensities. The rear seats will be carried over from the GranTurismo, meaning the Maserati will remain a four-seater, but the optional wind deflector will make use of those seats impossible when it's erected. Unfolded manually and slotted into position above the rear seats when required, the deflector is designed to reduce turbulence in the cabin.
Nettuno V6
Power for the GranCabrio will - at least at launch - come from Maserati's 3.0-litre 'Nettuno' V6 petrol engine, which also sees service in the Grecale Trofeo and MC20 supercar. In the GranTurismo, meanwhile, the engine is offered in two states of tune - basic Modena form, with 490hp, and Trofeo guise, with 550hp - but only the latter is confirmed for the GranCabrio at launch. There's no word on whether the all-electric 'Folgore' powertrain will be offered in the drop-top model, either.
Anyway, the Nettuno engine impressed in the GranTurismo, and we're expecting the same all-wheel-drive system and eight-speed automatic gearbox to feature in the GranCabrio. That should mean the newcomer's performance isn't all that different from that of the coupe, which gets from 0-100km/h in 3.5 seconds and roars on to a 320km/h top speed.
Although Maserati hasn't confirmed when the new GranCabrio will go on sale, or how much it'll cost, the car is expected to go into production at Maserati's Mirafiori plant in Turin later this year.