Maserati GranCabrio set to blow the roof off at Frankfurt

Maserati aims to wow the upcoming Frankfurt motor show with its all-new GranCabrio ragtop, billed as the four-seater convertible in the Trident carmaker's history.

Derived from the existing GranTurismo, the newcomer will slot into the line-up alongside the latter and the Quattroporte to form the Trident's third prong.

In the words of its maker: "The GranCabrio represents the very essence of Maserati in terms of open-top cars.  It's a Maserati in the purest sense of the word: from the unmistakable style by Pininfarina to the spacious interior, from the craftsmanship of each detail to the driving pleasure and performance."

Maserati further boasts that the GranCabrio "enriches all five senses in a shared open-air experience, without sacrificing comfort and performance." 

The drop-top will go on sale internationally by the time the next northern spring rolls around, and we can expect it here in the latter half of 2010.

As per the GranTurismo S coupe, motive power for the GranCabrio comes from a 4.7-litre V8 with 323kW, and this is relayed to the rear wheels by either Maserati's MC Shift robotised manual gearbox or a ZF six-speed auto (the manufacturer is yet to announce which transmission will be standard issue).

The GranCabrio is topped by a traditional canvas roof, rather than the increasingly popular folding hardhat, and the company claims this is to emphasise "the link with the Maserati tradition".

Having a canvas top also helps lower the centre of gravity (as well as overall kerb weight), and it alleviates the high-bummed look that goes with having a boot big enough to house a metal lid.

When it goes on sale, the GranCabrio will be up against the likes of the Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG, BMW M6 Cabriolet, Bentley Continental GTC and Jaguar XKR Convertible. To this list you could also add the Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet.

Local pricing is yet to be announced, but you needn't expect too much change out of $350K.

The GranCabrio follows in the wake of illustrious Maserati drop-tops such as the 1950 A6G Frua Spyder, 1960 3500GT Vignale Spyder, 1964 Mistral Spyder, 1968 Ghibli Spyder and 2001 Spyder designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the car that marked Maserati's return to the United States.

However, Maserati says the GranCabrio opens a new chapter, "because never before have four-seater top-down models ever been produced at the Viale Ciro Menotti Maserati factory". 

What's more, the car is said to offer four proper seats, "so that the rear passengers are not merely supporting actors, but co-stars of the journey".

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