Maserati was started by Alfieri Maserati and was later joined by his three brothers. The creator took inspiration from the statue of Neptune in his hometown Bologna, to create the trident moniker which adorns every Maserati. Fast-forward a couple of decades to 2009, the Maserati GranCabrio makes its first appearance and combines Italian good looks with sports car performance.
Related: Top 3 things you need to know about the Maserati GranTurismo
While the Maserati GranCabrio and Gran Turismo lived a long and lustrous life, production ended during 2019. The Italian automaker plans to replace the model with what they called the Maserati Alfieri Concept. While the concept car only showcases coupe styling, we can expect a cabriolet derivative to follow soon after it has begun product.
Engine
Under the bonnet of the earlier Maserati GranCabrio models feature a 4.7-litre petrol V8 motor which is capable of 324 kW and 490 N.m of torque. Later models saw the performance of the F136 Ferrari engine increased to 338 kW and 520 N.m. Although the engine was produced by Ferrari, it was used by many automakers including Alfa Romeo and even in the A1 Grand Prix vehicles.
This is not the only time, Maserati and Ferrari came together to create a masterpiece. In 2004 the Maserati MC 12 went into production and not only was built on the Ferrari Enzo's platform but also featured its Ferrari F140 V12 motor.
The styling
While there are many famous Italian coachbuilders, for the GranTurismo and GranCabrio, Maserati called upon Pininfarina. The Italian design house is one of the most popular in Italy and all over the world and is famous for penning down vehicles such as the Ferrari Enzo, Alfa Romeo GTV and Fiat 124 Spider.
The brief was very simple, Maserati wanted a four-seater coupe and cabriolet vehicle that will comfortably accommodate four adults without compromising on comfort. Not only did Pininfarina achieve that but also created a vehicle which to this day remains contemporary in its styling.
Safety
A cabriolet always presents a safety challenge, especially when the vehicle might overturn. Maserati has mitigated this concern by introducing roll bars behind the rear seats. These roll bars are hidden from sight but as soon as the vehicle detects a side or rear impact or notices that it might overturn, the roll bars are deployed.
It takes a mere 90 milliseconds, quicker than you can blink, for the roll bars to deploy. This feature makes the GranCabrio a safe vehicle even when the roof is down.
Verdict
The Maserati GranCabrio might be nearly 10 years old but remains a good-looking vehicle. I would recommend that if you are considering to add a GranCabrio to your garage, try to find a later model. Not only will you benefit from all the updates that have taken place over its lifecycle but also from the slightly more powerful engine configuration.
Recommended next:
