Maserati a name that immediately conjures up style with performance - they produce, arguably the most beautiful cars in the world. Their latest offering, the GranCabrio is a perfect example.
With this four seater convertible you can customise it by means of an innovative new configurator - simply going online at www.configurator.maserati.com there you can create your very own special exterior and interior. Select from 14 exterior colours and six soft top colours and better still, you can even select the stitching on the leather.
The new GanCabrio, a full four seater convertible, designed by Pininfarina, a vehicle which combines comfort with usable performance.
I got to drive this handsome Italian machine in Rome and surrounding district and driving out of the city with the locals in awe; immediately the sense of driving a Maserati comes full-blown. The Italians are so passionate about their cars and they do not disguise the fact.
First shown at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the GranCabrio is sure to appeal to the US market; you can just imagine driving one along the famous Coastal Highway in California. This car gets my vote as a cruiser in every sense of the word, I would honestly wonder how many will even take notice of the mighty 4.7 litre engine beneath its beautiful body.
With 440bhp, a possible top speed of 175kph and rest to 62mph in a mere 5.4 seconds, if the need arises to get somewhere in a hurry the GranCabrio can certainly respond.
Should the weather take a down turn, a mere 28 seconds and the roof can be automatically stowed and it can be operated at speeds up to 30kph.
This is the first four seater from Maserati, although back in 1932, an outside design house did produce three four seater Maserati convertibles, two of which made it eventually to the UK.
Convertibles such as the A6G Frua Spyder and the Mistral Spyder have carried the famous Trident badge. However, the GranCabrio packs not only outstanding style, but it is packed with technology, a thoroughly modern mode of transport.
This is a car to enjoy in all seasons; its roof is composed of three layers, thus ensuring less noise and very good insulation. In bringing it to market, Maserati set out on an extensive test programme, carried out mainly in Sweden and New Zealand.
What a joy to drive, the musical notes of the big V8 are powerful, yet subdued when in cruise mode, but reach the strength of a tenor‘s high tomes when you demand max performance. Select Sport on the ZF transmission and above 3000rpm the sound becomes a powerful roar, especially with the roof down.
Of course you can select manual, use the paddle shift and the word fun takes on a new meaning.
Maserati and Bose joined forces to produce an excellent system with 12 speakers, good enough to satisfy the demand of any audiophile. To avoid endless manual adjustments, the system automatically tweaks the volume and sound equalisation depending on whether the car is travelling with the soft top up or down.
Performance is matched by balance. With the soft top raised, up to 49% of weight is over the front axle and when the soft top is down, 48% of weight is over the front axle.
Skyhook suspension features continuously adjustable gas dampers which adapt to the ever changing road conditions thus providing a very smooth driving experience with comfort. This was proven over minor roads, which had many rough surfaces including a fair share of potholes, not unlike some of the roads in Ireland.
There is no compromise on safety with this Maserati. Should there be a roll over, then in one hundred and ninety milliseconds, less than the bat of an eyelid, and the extendable roll bars positioned behind the rear seats are deployed. This is just one example of the safety equipment package.
Amongst the many information systems onboard is a state of the art navigation system and the interface consists of a 7 inch screen displaying all of the relevant information. The GranCabrio has the looks of a classic with all of the up to date technology that we have come to expect.
This has just got to be the ultimate open top, but at a price, a cool - £95,630
Post your comment
Post your comment