.jpg?p=120209_04:29)
.jpg?p=120209_04:31)
.jpg?p=120209_04:54)
.jpg?p=120209_04:35)
.jpg?p=111221_03:51)
See more Maserati GranCabrio pics
Life is good. There's a bank holiday weekend on the way, England have just won the Ashes (come on, you didn't think we could go long without mentioning that, did you?)... and Maserati has just revealed its gorgeous new convertible, the GranCabrio.
Pretty thing, ain't it? The GranCabrio is based on the two-door GranTurismo, and is the first-ever four-seat convertible in Maserati's history.
Unlike the slightly related Ferrari California, it gets a fabric soft-top instead of a metal roof, which is good news for weight, handling and aesthetics - check out that petite backside and tell us why you'd ever build a car with a folding hard-top.
The GranCabrio is powered by the same 4.7-litre V8 as in the GranTurismo S, putting out 433bhp at a revvy 7,000rpm, along with 362lb ft of torque.
Which means it won't be slow: though Maser is yet to release performance figures, we'd expect the GranCabrio to hit 60mph in around five and half seconds and run all the way to 180mph or so.
Even with that fabric roof, the GranCabrio (do you think we should shorten it to GC?) won't be a featherweight, exactly - with the structural reinforcements required to compensate for the lack of a fixed roof, it'll weigh in around the two-tonne mark.
But who cares? The GC (yep, we're going for it) isn't about Ferrari Scud Spider-rivalling open-top handling. It's about big sunglasses and clear skies and gorgeous coastal roads and, perchance, a trio of pneumatic ladies in the three passenger seats. And gelato.
We'll get a closer look at the Maserati GC at the Frankfurt show in a few weeks' time. Expect prices to start at around £90,000. Expect to want one.
Open Car Bar
What do you think?
Want to comment on this?
kingrocky commented on this article
at 12:28 pm on 24 August 2009
Awesome car. GC sounds great. Is this going to be in the next series?
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Ryan18 commented on this article
at 12:32 pm on 24 August 2009
The GranTurismo is already a gorgeous car and taking the roof off is nothing but genius! heres hoping they give it a GranTurismo s styling kit white with black wheel "ogh suite your sir!"
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Showie commented on this article
at 01:20 pm on 24 August 2009
its almost as beautiful as an Alfa 8c. which means its beyond amazing.
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
IronicalBalls commented on this article
at 01:56 pm on 24 August 2009
Maserati need a policy of "beautiful people only" for their open tops. Such a beautiful car would be ruined if some old bald guy were cruise around in one.
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
The-Educator commented on this article
at 02:05 pm on 24 August 2009
Don't you think that 5.5 seconds to 60mph is a little disapointing??? Seing as the similairily priced M6 cabrio does it in about 4.7 and a new 5.0 litre supercharged Range Rover gets there in about 6, I would say it needs more power to compete with the other cars it's pitched against. Jag XKR = 510bhp and it's about £10,000 less. And just about as good looking. All it's competitors linger around the 500 horse mark and 440 simply isn't enough, especially as it's undoubtably heavier than the Jag, or the M6. And adding insult to injury both the aformentioned cars will do 200mph should you remove the limiters making 180 seem positively pedestrian.
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.