The Most Beautiful Cabriolet Ever Is Now A Bit Faster

maserati grancabrio sport 570 The Most Beautiful Cabriolet Ever Is Now A Bit Faster

Italians have a reputation for creating beautiful objects. They’re a nation that seemed to sacrifice almost everything for the sake of aesthetics; older Italian cars had a formidable reputation for being undriveable, unrealiable, but one look and you were quite possibly in love.

I should know, I am Italian. Although the most beautiful thing I have ever created was a wooden birdfeeder for a grade school project. But I digress. The motorvehicle over which you are currently drooling is the Maserati GrandCabrio Sports. The GranCabrio was no lay-about, so quite why they needed to make it faster is beyond me.

As you are well aware, the GranCabrio is by far and away the most beautiful Cabriolet ever built. Fact. There is drama, beauty and power in spades. Like dating a lingerie model who enjoys kickboxing. And just in case that was a little boring for you, they’ve cranked it up a bit.

maserati grancabrio sport 570 2 The Most Beautiful Cabriolet Ever Is Now A Bit Faster

Borrowing the 4.7 litre V8 from the Maserati GranTursimo Stradale, which looks and sounds like a thunderstorm in a Bond film, the GranCabrio gets uprated brakes, suspension and a new aerokit to deal with the extra power.

The naturally aspirated alloy V8 delivers 331kW, or 450hp, to the rear wheels via an improved 7 speed flappy paddle transmission. I imagine the engineers at Maserati were peering over the shoulders of their compadrés at Ferrari when they designed that one.

Because Italians are the sort of people who wave supercars past instead of arresting the drivers (Switzerland, I’m looking at you here) the GranCabrio has a new exhaust system to make it louder beyond 2500rpm. For your aural pleasure, please enjoy this video of one minute of pure Maserati sound. Glorious.

The GranCabrio Sports is on sale right now, prices are unconfirmed which means you probably have to ask. And you know what they say about that. If you have to ask, don’t bother.

Ciro De Siena – OverdriveTV

Full Specifications for the Maserati GranCabrio Sports

Body

High-strength steel monocoque, under-body aluminium cross bracing

Layout

Front-mid-engine, rear-drive

Engine

4.7-litre all-alloy V8

Power

450hp (331kW) @ 7000rpm

Torque

510Nm @ 4750rpm

Capacity

4691cc

Bore x stroke

94mm x 84.5mm

Compression ratio

11.25:1

Maximum engine speed

7200rpm

Oil delivery

Wet sump

0-100km/h acceleration

5.2 seconds

Top speed

285km/h

Fuel consumption – Urban

22.5 litres/100km

Fuel consumption – Extra-urban

9.8 litres/100km

Fuel consumption – combined

14.5 litres/100km

CO2 emissions

337 grams/km

 

Transmission

Six-speed automatic (ZF 6HP26) with MC Auto Shift

Ratios

First:                4.171:1

Second:            2.340:1

Third:               1.521:1

Fourth: 1.143:1

Fifth:                0.867:1

Sixth:               0.691:1

Reverse:          3.403:1

Final Drive:      3.73:1

 

Differential

Asymmetric limited-slip (25% in traction, 45% in release) with bevel drive

 

Steering

Engine-speed sensitive power steering, rack-and-pinion.

Turning circle

12.3 metres

 

Length

4881mm

Width (with mirrors)

2056mm

Width (without mirrors)

1915mm

Height

1353mm

Wheelbase

2942mm

Front track

1586mm

Rear track

1590mm

Front overhang

873mm

Rear overhang

1066mm

Boot/trunk capacity

173 litres

Fuel capacity

75 litres

Dry weight (EU)

1887kg

Kerb weight (EU)

1980kg

Weight distribution (roof closed)

49% front/51% rear

Weight distribution (roof open)

48%/52%

Brakes

360mm front discs, 330mm rear discs

Tyres

245/35 ZR20 (front); 285/35 ZR20 (rear)