Maserati GranCabrio – The epitome of open top grand touring to a magnificent sound track, the Maserati GranCabrio, has been enhanced and refined for 2018 and it is now available in Australia.
“The Maserati GranCabrio can trace its sensuous lines directly to its ancestor, the 1950 A6G Frua Spyder – a highly exclusive production convertible with a race car engine – and although many parts of the orchestration have changed, the song remains the same 68 years later,” explains Glen Sealey, Chief Operating Officer of Maserati Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
“Maserati has taken a classic naturally aspirated V8 engine, versions of which have been used in motorsport, and placed it in a body that has the flowing, graceful lines of sports car and yet luxury and space of a four-seat grand tourer.
Roof up or roof down, the style and the driving experience, accompanied by the glorious sound of that V8 engine is as unique as it is intoxicating.
For 2018 the GranCabrio’s lines have been sharpened, its features enhanced and there is a choice of two equally beguiling versions, both of which epitomize Maserati and its values of style, performance and exclusivity.”
The Maserati GranCabrio – the convertible interpretation of the iconic GranTurismo – made its world debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Designed by Pininfarina, it offers the joys of luxury grand touring in a full four-seater from a breathtaking new perspective. The new model features a subtle restyle that respects the dramatic elegance of the original.
The timeless design is accompanied by the exhilarating, inspirational performance of a naturally aspirated, Maranello-built V8 engine and the hand-crafted comfort of four individual Poltrona Frau® seats.
In short, the GranCabrio is the ultimate expression of luxurious, open-top grand touring at its authentic, exclusive best.
The GranCabrio, together with its GranTurismo sibling, is assembled at the historic Maserati plant of Viale Ciro Menotti in Modena, following the highest manufacturing and quality control standards in the world. More than 37,000 GranCabrio and GranTurismo models have been sold globally since 2007.
MY18 range, restyling and driver interface
The GranCabrio range has been streamlined for 2018 and two well-defined versions will be offered – Sport and MC.
While the Sport and MC share the same powertrain and interior personalization packages, each has its own unique character. Both the GranCabrio MC – short for Maserati Corse – and the GranTurismo MC take on important ambassadorial roles for the entire Maserati range, representing the company’s long and illustrious racing heritage.
Both the GranCabrio Sport and GranCabrio MC are equipped with the legendary 4.7-litre V8 engine, producing 460 bhp at 7,000 rpm and 520 Nm at 4,750rpm.
The naturally aspirated unit is hand-assembled by Ferrari in Maranello and weighs only 175kg.
It also features a wet sump and, exclusive to Maserati, a cross-plane crankshaft for unrivalled throttle response, free-revving characteristics and a thrilling Maserati signature sound.
All that race-bred power is transferred via a six-speed ZF automatic gearbox with MC Auto Shift programming, which features a wide array of technologies proven in other Maserati models. They include five selectable operating modes.
When it came to the 2018 restyle, the timeless Pininfarina design was treated with the utmost respect by the Maserati Design Centre. The results, among others, are even better aerodynamic efficiency and compliance with the latest pedestrian safety regulations.
The new front and rear bumpers of the MY18 GranCabrio elegantly refine the visual impact of the striking original styling. The Sport and MC share the same basic features, although each has unique inserts to accentuate its distinctive character.
Additionally, the headlights for each model are slightly restyled for 2018, while a new rear parking camera is now integrated.
The front bumper features a larger, hexagonal grille with a ‘shark nose’ profile and a chrome insert all around. The new nose is inspired by the sensational Alfieri Concept car and adds a three-dimensional effect to the front view. This design also helps optimize airflow distribution and reduce aerodynamic drag.
The bumper’s lateral air ducts, introduced in the GranTurismo MC Stradale and adopted across the entire GranCabrio range in 2012, are redesigned for 2018.
By visually pushing the car’s weight towards the front wheels, they convey a heightened sense of dynamic stability, while also contributing to improved aerodynamic efficiency.
The central splitter is the element that most clearly distinguishes the two versions, and the GranCabrio MC boasts an even more pronounced design, giving greater emphasis to the motor racing pedigree.
The new front bumper and redesigned air splitter, meanwhile, substantially reduce aerodynamic drag from 0.35 to 0.33.
The headlights for 2018 maintain the same profile and LED/Bi-Xenon functionality, but feature discreet, internal restyling. This includes reshaped LED Daytime Running Lights, grooved housing in the Xenon lamp areas and the Maserati inscription in low relief. Additionally, the MC version’s headlights feature a darker finish.
While the sleek body of the GranCabrio remains untouched, the rear bumper has been redesigned with the sole aim of emphasizing the natural elegance of this iconic convertible. With its neater, more cohesive design, the new bumper further accentuates the impression of stability, while adding a graceful finishing touch to the car’s unmistakable silhouette.
The central diffuser is specific to each version. The emphasis is on elegance with the GranCabrio Sport, with the oval exhaust outlets appearing at the bumper’s edges. The GranCabrio MC is decisively sportier, with round outlets coming through the central, transparent diffuser.
The exhaust system of the MC version is lighter and has a totally different shape and function. When in Sport mode, a valve channels exhaust gases so they completely bypass the silencer. This reduces back pressure and creates a breathtakingly sporty sound.
The exterior of the MY18 GranCabrio is available in 16 colours. A brand new three-layer colour is introduced (Blu Assoluto), while four more three-layer colours – are now available on the entire range.
There is a range of 14 light alloy wheels in six designs, one of which is in forged aluminium, and an exterior carbon package is offered both for Sport and MC versions.
The MY18 GranCabrio is fitted with new, lightweight, fourth-generation Pirelli P Zero™ tyres. These contribute to a reduction in unsprung weight plus better suspension performance and tyre grip.
The new P Zero™ is designed to improve braking distances in dry and wet conditions by 4% and 5% respectively, while offering better mileage by at least 30%.
The elegant interior of the GranCabrio offers unparalleled comfort thanks to its four individual, Poltrona Frau® leather seats with integrated headrests.
For 2018, the dashboard features a more sculptured design in the passenger area, complemented in high-fashion style by stitched leather finishes.
The centrepiece of the dashboard is now a high-resolution, 8.4” capacitive touchscreen. The GranCabrio system is in line with those featured in the other Maserati models and compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring functions.
Both models also now feature the high-end Harman Kardon Premium Sound system as standard.
The climate and seat heating control are not integrated into the touchscreen function, although the central console area is still significantly neater, with fewer buttons than before.
The lower console is redesigned to accommodate a user-friendly, double rotary dial – now a standard feature in all Maserati models. Positioned next to the gear lever, this a high-quality component in forged aluminium. The driving modes button cluster is now in front of the gear lever.
Another interior refinement is a new Maserati clock with a double dial in a slightly more prominent position at the centre of the dashboard.
For 2018, there are eight interior colours and five interior trim options – from Carbon Fibre to Black Piano and Walnut Briarwood. All are available on the Sport and MC. There are also three Special Edition interior packages as well as an optional new Centennial Pack in four colour combinations for both GranCabrio versions.
Maserati GranCabrio MY18 – highlights
- Streamlined range, now two versions, Sport and MC
- Exterior restyling includes new bumpers, grille and front air ducts
- Drag coefficient improved to 0.33
- Naturally aspirated 4.7-litre V8 with 460hp
- Six-speed ZF automatic gearbox
- New infotainment system
- 4” high-resolution, capacitive touchscreen
- Redesigned central console with double rotary control
- Compatibility with Apple Car Play and Android Auto
- New double dial Maserati clock
- Standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound system
- New rear view camera with dynamic gridlines
| GRANCABRIO SPORT | GRANCABRIO MC | ||
| Engine layout | Petrol 90º V8 naturally aspirated | ||
| Displacement (cc) | 4,691 | ||
| Max. power (kW / bhp @ rpm) | 338 / 460 @ 7,000 | ||
| Peak torque (Nm @ rpm) | 520 @ 4,750 | ||
| Fuel consumption l/100km | 14.5 | ||
| CO2 (g/km) | 337 | ||
| 0-100km/h (sec) | 5.0 | 4.9 | |
| Top speed (km/h, roof closed) | 288 | 291 | |
| Gearbox | Six-speed ZF Automatic (MC Auto Shift) | ||
| Transmission | RWD, limited slip differential | ||
| Suspension, front | Double wishbone Sport Skyhook dampers | Double wishbone | |
| Suspension, rear | Double wishbone Sport Skyhook dampers | Double wishbone | |
| Length/width/height (mm) | 4,910/1,915/1,380 | 4,920/1,915/1,380 | |
| Wheelbase (mm) | 2,942 | 2,942 | |
