A meatier, slightly restyled version of
Maserati's GranCabrio soft-top hits Australian roads this week, with more punch, better on-road behaviour, lower emissions and improved fuel economy.
The Maserati GranCabrio Sport joins the GranTurismo S and Quattroporte Sport GT as a top-shelf model with its 4.7-litre 90-degree V8 engine pumped from 323kW to 331kW and from 490Nm to 510Nm. The six-speed MC Auto Shift transmission is sharpened up to give faster shifts, while friction improvements within the engine have helped improve fuel economy from 15.2L/100km to 14.5L/100km (the press material doesn't quantify CO2 emission improvements but, as a guide, the regular GranCabrio produces 354g/km).
With the sharper transmission including a "super-fast" MC Auto Shift mode, and the extra power and torque, the GranCabrio Sport reaches 100km/h from a standstill in 5.2 seconds (5.4 seconds for the regular GranCabrio) and is capable of running out to a maximum speed of 285km/h.
To accommodate this, the GranCabrio Sport gets an upgraded, revised suspension, as well as a tougher brake package.
Visual changes are minimal apart from the black multi-spoke wheels, red brake calipers and a "host of small, perfectly integrated changes throughout the body and the interior". The Maserati's soft-top roof can be operated at speeds up to 30km/h and opens or closes in around 20 seconds.
The audio and climate-control systems also self-regulate according to whether the roof is open or closed.
The Maserati GranCabrio Sport is priced $10,000 above the regular GranCabrio at $338,000 before delivery and on-road costs.
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