Search Car Reviews



See all makes

Maserati GranCabrio

First ever four-seater Maserati drop-top has the looks and pace, but do the ingredients add up?

Maserati GranCabrio

Text: Jack Rix / Photos: Otis Clay

February 2010

  • Rating:

 
Open the cabin to the elements and the 434bhp 4.7-litre V8 can be heard in all its glory
Maserati is making a grand entrance into the convertible market! This is the all-new GranCabrio, a third model to sit alongside the Quattroporte saloon and GranTurismo Coupe in Maserati’s line-up, and the first genuine four-seater drop-top to ever wear the trident badge.

In pictures the GranCabrio’s proportions appear well judged, but in the flesh it’s clear that this is another Pininfarina masterpiece. Maserati has done a fantastic job in retaining the Coupe’s slinky silhouette with the hood up, and creating a whole new elegant profile with it stowed.

There’s coupe-like levels of refinement in with the roof in place, but staying quiet isn’t one of the GranCabrio’s strong points. Open the cabin to the elements however and the 434bhp 4.7-litre V8 can be heard in all its glory. Push a button marked ‘Sport’ and the exhaust emits an even throatier roar.

The GranCabrio corners with a flatness and poise that would put most cars to shame, and the beautifully weighted steering is direct and responsive. But 1,980kg is sizeable chunk of weight to throw around, and it always feels more comfortable being driven at three-quarters of its abilities.

Maserati has done a fantastic job of stiffening the chassis to compensate for the lack of a roof, and all for only a 100kg penalty over the Coupe. While particularly bad surfaces have a habit of sending shockwaves through the chassis, the front and rear ends always feel like they are working together, inspiring confidence in bends.

The experience can be enjoyed by four adult passengers, too. Two six-footers fit easily behind one another, although bringing luggage for all four might prove tricky with such a miniscule 173-litre boot.

At just a few pounds under £100,000, the GranCabrio certainly isn’t cheap, but line it up against a style-led direct rival like the Aston DB9 Volante and there’s a significant saving to be had. Economics aside, a Maserati is a car you buy with your heart not your head, and with its supermodel good-looks and epic soundtrack the GranCabrio is certain to win many an admirer.

For a more extensive verdict get your copy of the mag, on sale Wednesday February 17

Rival: Aston Martin DB9 Volante/Jaguar XKR convertible
Maserati has made a shrewd move pricing the GranCabrio - it has the £100,000 drop-top market to itself. The 503bhp XKR is deceptively quick, and at under £80,000 represents a big saving. The V12 DB9 Volante is one of the most beautiful shapes on the road, but it comes with a £122,950 price tag. Unfortunately though, both feature more cramped 2+2 seating configurations.

Tell us about your car in our Driver Power survey.

For an alternative review of the latest Maserati GranCabrio visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

What Next

For more breaking car news and reviews, subscribe to Auto Express magazine. We'll give you 6 issues for £1 and a free gift!

< Previous   Next >

Sponsored Results

10 Comments

Singingin She`s Got the look...Tra la la!

Rather delicious looking Maserati...Nero would most definitely approve!

A Black one please and an Aston V8 Vantage Volante (British Racing Green) to go with it ,for alternative weeks in the Monte Carlo sunshine...One can only dream.

By LegioIXHispana on 12 February, 2010, 8:09pm

What a fabulous looking car. Makes the Jag XKR look like good value, but the Maserati has a far more glamorous image. Looks like the must have car for this summer.

By Beckerman on 13 February, 2010, 3:50pm

Nice car

Very nice car but when one drove pass me i couldn't help noticing the underpinnings of the car looked too similar to a Ferrari and the rear end is too high. Sometimes this chassis sharing works if you can't notice the smilarities. Having said that only the Brits and Italians know how to design a good looking cars.

By corsamani on 16 February, 2010, 8:29am

A well composed Italian Symphony

On the one hand it hasnt moved on the design game an awful lot from its direct competion, and it's not achingly beautiful in the classic pinninfarin / bertone 1950s/60s design studies-however-it's beguiling enough and beautiful enough to merit its ££ and i would pay a considerable sum to blat it through a tunnel on the autostrada with the roof down and a suitably endowed italian lady in the passenger seat. It's what Italy does best- stylish design with the caveat that in this case it doesnt appear on first reading thats it; style without substance.Well down Mazzer.

By WeeKaisDa on 16 February, 2010, 1:11pm

A well composed Italian Symphony

On the one hand it hasnt moved on the design game an awful lot from its direct competion, and it's not achingly beautiful in the classic pinninfarin / bertone 1950s/60s design studies-however-it's beguiling enough and beautiful enough to merit its ££ and i would pay a considerable sum to blat it through a tunnel on the autostrada with the roof down and a suitably endowed italian lady in the passenger seat. It's what Italy does best- stylish design with the caveat that in this case it doesnt appear on first reading thats it; style without substance.Well down Mazzer.

By WeeKaisDa on 16 February, 2010, 2:04pm

Deja Vu

Is it just me, or does that front end look like a modern interpretation of the Fiat Dino Spider? That was a fabulous car (that I never owned, sadly), but a beautiful design. This has a rather butch upper and lower front opening, but that's not a bad thing. Certainly a nice alternative to Ferrari - even if it may be based on their underpinnings.

By johncsykes on 16 February, 2010, 5:11pm

Style..

Fantastic looking car with real rear seats - if I can stretch to it, I'll go for that rather than the XKR conv. Wish a car company would come up with a convertible with 3 rear seats - they would sell a lot!!

By dsc25 on 18 February, 2010, 1:20pm

Probably the least attractive of the luxury/exotic brands.

I work in Silicon Valley and I've seen quite a few of these on the freeway. I can't say the cars look exactly stunning nor all that different from something a bit more pedestrian... like say a mid-90's Buick.

By setharp4 on 18 February, 2010, 3:36pm

I think I'll stick with the coupe

But if you absolutely MUST have a stylish drop-top, this is the one to go for. For me, Maserati has a much more "old money" appeal than many of the other luxury marques.
And @setharp4, if there's a Buick that looks like a Maserati, let me know which model, because I may just go out and buy it!

By snappyuk on 18 February, 2010, 6:23pm

Gorgeous

'nuff said.

By jcrowley012 on 30 May, 2010, 9:51pm

You need to register to post comments. Existing members can log in below to comment, otherwise click here to join.



Sponsored Results

More MASERATI GRANCABRIO articles


Related Index Pages

- Advertisement -

Pictures

Maserati GranCabrio
Maserati GranCabrio
Maserati GranCabrio
Maserati GranCabrio
Maserati GranCabrio
Maserati GranCabrio

Sponsored Results

FIRST OPINION

    There’s more to building a great convertible than simply chopping off the roof. And Maserati has done a fantastic job distilling the style and driveability of the GranTurismo Coupe into a cabriolet bodystyle. Without a roof between your ears and the exhausts, the V8 engine makes some spectacular noises, especially with ‘Sport’ mode engaged. But despite an epic set of lungs the GranCabrio is more of a cruiser than a hardcore supercar. It can be hustled along at quite a pace, but it will always feels more at home on wide sweeping bends and long motorway cruises than atacking a mountain pass. And the best bit is that this sensational open-top experience can be enjoyed by four adults in complete comfort.   

 

AT A GLANCE

    Price: £95,630
    Engine: 4.7-litre V8
    Transmission: Six-speed semi-auto, paddle-shift, rear-drive
    Power: 434bhp
    Torque: 490Nm
    0-62mph: 5.4seconds
    Top speed: 175mph
    Economy: 18.5mpg
    CO2: 354g/km
    Equipment: Leather trim, electric heated seats, sat-nav, 30Gb hard drive, ejectable roll bars, 16-speaker Bose stereo, climate control, iPod connection
    On sale : April
     
    - Advertisement -