Italians have a reputation for creating beautiful objects. They’re a nation that seemed to sacrifice almost everything for the sake of aesthetics; older Italian cars had a formidable reputation for being undriveable, unrealiable, but one look and you were quite possibly in love.
I should know, I am Italian. Although the most beautiful thing I have ever created was a wooden birdfeeder for a grade school project. But I digress. The motorvehicle over which you are currently drooling is the Maserati GrandCabrio Sports. The GranCabrio was no lay-about, so quite why they needed to make it faster is beyond me.
As you are well aware, the GranCabrio is by far and away the most beautiful Cabriolet ever built. Fact. There is drama, beauty and power in spades. Like dating a lingerie model who enjoys kickboxing. And just in case that was a little boring for you, they’ve cranked it up a bit.
Borrowing the 4.7 litre V8 from the Maserati GranTursimo Stradale, which looks and sounds like a thunderstorm in a Bond film, the GranCabrio gets uprated brakes, suspension and a new aerokit to deal with the extra power.
The naturally aspirated alloy V8 delivers 331kW, or 450hp, to the rear wheels via an improved 7 speed flappy paddle transmission. I imagine the engineers at Maserati were peering over the shoulders of their compadrés at Ferrari when they designed that one.
Because Italians are the sort of people who wave supercars past instead of arresting the drivers (Switzerland, I’m looking at you here) the GranCabrio has a new exhaust system to make it louder beyond 2500rpm. For your aural pleasure, please enjoy this video of one minute of pure Maserati sound. Glorious.
The GranCabrio Sports is on sale right now, prices are unconfirmed which means you probably have to ask. And you know what they say about that. If you have to ask, don’t bother.
Ciro De Siena – OverdriveTV
Full Specifications for the Maserati GranCabrio Sports
Body
High-strength steel monocoque, under-body aluminium cross bracing
Layout
Front-mid-engine, rear-drive
Engine
4.7-litre all-alloy V8
Power
450hp (331kW) @ 7000rpm
Torque
510Nm @ 4750rpm
Capacity
4691cc
Bore x stroke
94mm x 84.5mm
Compression ratio
11.25:1
Maximum engine speed
7200rpm
Oil delivery
Wet sump
0-100km/h acceleration
5.2 seconds
Top speed
285km/h
Fuel consumption – Urban
22.5 litres/100km
Fuel consumption – Extra-urban
9.8 litres/100km
Fuel consumption – combined
14.5 litres/100km
CO2 emissions
337 grams/km
Transmission
Six-speed automatic (ZF 6HP26) with MC Auto Shift
Ratios
First: 4.171:1
Second: 2.340:1
Third: 1.521:1
Fourth: 1.143:1
Fifth: 0.867:1
Sixth: 0.691:1
Reverse: 3.403:1
Final Drive: 3.73:1
Differential
Asymmetric limited-slip (25% in traction, 45% in release) with bevel drive
Steering
Engine-speed sensitive power steering, rack-and-pinion.
Turning circle
12.3 metres
Length
4881mm
Width (with mirrors)
2056mm
Width (without mirrors)
1915mm
Height
1353mm
Wheelbase
2942mm
Front track
1586mm
Rear track
1590mm
Front overhang
873mm
Rear overhang
1066mm
Boot/trunk capacity
173 litres
Fuel capacity
75 litres
Dry weight (EU)
1887kg
Kerb weight (EU)
1980kg
Weight distribution (roof closed)
49% front/51% rear
Weight distribution (roof open)
48%/52%
Brakes
360mm front discs, 330mm rear discs
Tyres
245/35 ZR20 (front); 285/35 ZR20 (rear)
