THE MASERATI GRANCABRIO
The Maserati GranCabrio is an exclusive and versatile four-seat cabrio.
The new Maserati GranCabrio is an original take on the driving pleasure, exclusivity and versatility that has always characterised Maseratis. The first ever cabrio to be developed and built at the company’s Modena, Italy headquarters, the GranCabrio is the only droptop in its class to seat four adults in full comfort in a uniquely designed cabin with style and luxury.
The GranCabrio transforms easily from a high-performance coupé into a breathtaking cabriolet. When travelling up to 30 km/h, the fully-insulated soft-top - designed in true Maserati tradition - tucks away at the touch of a button in just 28 seconds. With the roof down, the GranCabrio shows off its stunning profile, the result of artful design of master coachbuilder Pininfarina. The sensations of power and driving dynamics is achieved through the standard 20” alloy wheels that reflect the Trident design.
The GranCabrio’s chassis was developed by Maserati engineers to deliver top performance and maximum driving pleasure. The V8 engine is capable of 440 bhp and is combined with a six-speed ZF automatic transmission that ensures super smooth gear shifts without limiting shifting performance at top engine rpms.
The Skyhook electronic suspension system is another feature that enhances the GranCabrio’s handling performance. It comes as standard and can instantly adapt to the driver’s style and the road conditions.
All this, and the hallmark sound of Maserati makes the GranCabrio the most exciting and versatile cabrio on the market; a unique car that offers an infinite range of personalised choices thanks to a practically limitless range of leather, bodywork and roof colour combinations, the Maserati GranCabrio is the art of open-air performance.
The Maserati GranCabrio is a dynamic and elegant cabriolet for four.
EXTERIOR
The Maserati GranCabrio succeeds in being both dynamic and elegant. The car draws its inspiration from the GranTurismo performance Coupe, an example of the perfect synthesis of modernity, sensuality and passion.
Created by master coachbuilder Pininfarina, the GranCabrio is characterised by its soft-top roof. This styling bonds the GranCabrio closely with the company’s history of refined design.
When closed, the roof follows the original contours of the GranTurismo, with a hood that has the same smart, forward-slanting design, giving the GranCabrio the dashing looks of the stunning Maserati coupe.
Once open, the Maserati GranCabrio transforms into a striking cabriolet, free to show off all its sensuous beauty. The vibrant profile is accentuated by the low ground clearance and long bonnet. A stylish ‘V’ points towards the grille, in the middle of which stands the legendary chrome Trident.
The vehicle sides also feature chrome elements that give the GranCabrio some added distinction. One particularly design feature is the continuous chrome trim that surrounds the cabin and integrates with the third rear stop light.
Towards the rear of the car, the triangular light cluster is formed by 96 LEDs with a wide diffuser that further underlines the car’s athletic poise. This sporty feel is also seen in the large 20” alloy wheels that reflect the Trident design.
The shape of the GranCabrio is the result of extensive aerodynamic testing aimed at limiting the drag typical of droptop cars. The GranCabrio boasts a Cx coefficient that is one of the best in its class: 0.35 with the hood up and 0.39 with it down. The spoiler and rear diffuser both contribute to obtaining top levels of roadholding.
INTERIOR
The Maserati GranCabrio is the only real drop-top in its class to offer abundant space for four adults, seated in an elegant and luxurious cabin. The interior space is significantly larger than other vehicles in this exclusive category and ensures the maximum comfort even for passengers in the rear.
The interior is divided by a central tunnel that distributes the space between the occupants along the car’s length. The dashboard extends horizontally and its upper section features a characteristic ‘V’, a distinctive Maserati design symbol.
The GranCabrio’s cabin design is easy on the eye and invites you to touch it. Only the finest materials were employed in its build: the leather was handcrafted by Poltrona Frau® and a selection of prestigious wood trim was used for the dashboard, door panel and rear areas. The level of craftsmanship and attention to detail can also be seen in the chrome rings that enhance the dashboard switches and steering wheel as well as the Alcantara finish on the back of the steering wheel paddles.
Adding to the on-board comfort is the insulated canvas roof, one made up of three layers to censure excellent acoustic isolation. With the top down and just two people on board, it is possible to further minimise interior air flow thanks to the windstop developed especially for the GranCabrio (available as an option).
The Maserati GranCabrio air conditioning system has been further refined to offer the maximum comfort levels both with the top up or down. The system recognises how the car is being driven and automatically resets ventilation and climate control to help maintain the set temperature.
TECHNOLOGY
Maserati GranCabrio engine, transmission, chassis, suspension and electronics
Engine
The Maserati GranCabrio's engine is an eight cylinder, 4,691cc 90° V8 capable of developing 440 bhp at 7,000 rpm and with a peak torque of 490 Nm at 4,750 rpm. The power unit uses the advanced technology typical of all Maserati engines the high power figures to be reached, while ensuring smooth gear changes and a refined engine exhaust note.
The timing is actioned by two overhead camshafts per bank and four valves per cylinder controlled by hydraulic tappets. The overhead camshafts on the intake side are controlled by a low pressure, continual phase variator, a technical solution that together with the optimisation of the combustion chamber, allows 82% of the maximum torque to be available from 2,500 rpm for superb acceleration, even in high gears.
Transmission
The Maserati GranCabrio features a six-speed, ZF automatic transmission with a hydraulic torque converter yielding extremely quick and fluid gear shifts while maintaining the characteristics of the sporty V8 engine.
The transmission has four modes and is also equipped with a self-adapting control system that adjusts gear changes to both the driving style and road conditions.
In Manual mode, gear changes are made sequentially by the driver via the steering column mounted paddles or the gearstick.
Exhaust
The engine sound is enhanced by the sport exhaust system managed by the by-pass valve. Pushing the Sport button opens the pneumatic valves if the car is on the move and the engine is above 3,000 rpm. The engine and drivetrain are fully ready to deliver a rewarding engine roar which becomes even more intense with the roof open, bringing the GranCabrio at one with the environment.
Chassis
The weight distribution of the Maserati GranCabrio is slightly biased towards the rear with 49% of the vehicle's weight located over the frontaxle and 51% over the back with the roof closed. With the roof retracted, the front-rear distribution changes to 48-52%.
This design result was achieved by positioning the engine behind the front axle and results in true and predictable handling that makes driving easier and increases car stability.
The new loadbearing chassis is constructed from a blend of materials with the overriding goal to maintain low weight. The vehicle framework is made from toughened steel apart from the bonnet and front bumper bar, which consist of in aluminium, and the boot lid in heat treated plastic that uses Sheet Moulding Compound technology.
The chassis was developed to provide maximum stiffness even without a roof. The result is that the Maserati GranCabrio is able to offer the same driving pleasure as a high performance coupe.
Suspension
The Maserati GranCabrio is fitted with the electronically controlled Skyhook suspension system as standard. This system employs dampers with an aluminium body which continually adjust the damping. This solution means that the set up adapts instantly to the driving style and the road conditions to offer the utmost in on-board comfort.
The Skyhook system acts by using acceleration sensors that detect movement on all four wheels and the body. A control unit processes the data it receives from the sensors, analyses the driving style and road surface and instantly adjusts the dampers accordingly via their proportional valves.
Electronics
The vehicle’s superb dynamic handling is constantly monitored and optimised by the Maserati Stability Programme (MSP). The MSP works to correct even the hint of a skid by reducing engine torque. Working further with the ABS and EBD, the system prevents the wheels locking under hard braking, distributing the braking force between the front and rear axles. It also prevents the wheels spinning on low grip surfaces when accelerating or climbing (ASR and MSR) to maintain available traction.
Cabriolet Hood
The Maserati GranCabrio’s canvas roof was chosen for both its technological as well as aesthetic advantages. The resulting soft top solution means a lower centre of gravity because the bottom of the car is heavier. This enhances the car’s dynamic handling.
The hood weighs only 65kg and the materials, mechanism, its operation time and stowage are all top quality. The GranCabrio transforms from an amazing coupé into a cabriolet in just 28 seconds if the car is travelling up to 30 km/h.
Safety
The Maserati GranCabrio boasts a range of innovative safety features
The Maserati GranCabrio reaches the highest safety standards in its category thanks to the adoption of innovative active and passive safety features.
Active safety
The dynamic handling of the GranCabrio is assisted by the electronically controlled Maserati Stability Programme (MSP). The technology was developed to optimise driving dynamics and safety when on the move. The system is controlled by a series of sensors that recognise any unsteadiness adjusting the brakes and engine to provide optimal traction.
The high performance brakes equipped on the GranCabrio were developed by Brembo and feature four self-ventilating drilled discs. The 360 mm front brakes make the most of co-cast disc technology (cast iron for the braking surface and an aluminium hat). This solution, teamed with callipers actioned by six pistons in a single aluminium block, ensure unbeatable stopping power and are highly resistant to fade even under intense use.
MSP works in harmony with the ABS to stop the wheels locking under braking, and EBD, to distribute the braking force between the front and rear axles.
The Electric Park Brake (EPB) replaces the traditional mechanical handbrake with an electronic control on the vehicle's central tunnel. The EPB system is engaged automatically when the engine is switched off and is only deactivated when the accelerator pedal is pressed. EPB also plays an important role in terms of safety as, in an emergency, it acts on all four wheels and can be employed with the vehicle moving, without compromising stability, until the switch is released.
The Brake Assist System (BAS) has been introduced on the Maserati GranCabrio to improve safety. Thanks to a dedicated sensor, BAS recognises panic braking by measuring the speed at which the brake pedal is depressed and clamps the brake pad to the disc before the driver even begins to brake. This shortens the stopping distance in emergency situations.
Passive safety
The Maserati GranCabrio is fitted with new generation airbags, using the intelligent technology first employed on the Maserati Quattroporte S. The passenger side airbag, with its ‘Low Risk Deployment’, adapts the intensity of its inflation in crash situations to the size of the occupant.
New head and chest airbags set in the front seats provide protection from side impacts while seatbelts are equipped with the latest pre-tensioners and load limiters to securely restrain all four occupants.
The main components in terms of passive safety is the extendable roll bars set behind the rear seats. The roll bars are hidden by the roof cover and are automatically activated in just 190 milliseconds when needed.
The extendable roll bars were developed to offer occupants the maximum protection both with the roof closed or retracted. A Maserati copyrighted technical solution allows the roll bars to extend by shattering the rear window with minimal risk to the occupants from this actuation.
