The day I drove back to Al Tayer Motors to return the Maserati GranTurismo Sport, I had made up my mind to come back once more – for the GranCabrio Sport. For they bear the same spirit – the puritan spirit of dynamic mobility exemplified in the almost flawless, naturally aspirated engine; enwrapped in the mildly coarse, red grains of luxury; and emitting excited sounds of motoring ecstasy. Talking about the way it sounds, half the purpose of the GranCabrio Sport seems to be related to it – to let you listen to the eight-cylinder fury in its full glory. In fact, as you already have the privilege of listening to it in full, there is no button for exhaust sonics.
THE SPECS: 4.7-litre V8, 6-speed ZF transmission with paddles, Rear Wheel Drive 460hp and 520 Nm of torque
THE PERFORMANCE: Drag coefficient improved to 0.32 for the GranTurismo and 0.33 for the GranCabrio, Top speed: 288 kmph, 0 – 100 kmph in 5.0 sec for Sport and 4.9 sec for MC
THE PRICE: AED 575,000 onwards for Sport, AED 625,000 for MC – including a 3-year unlimited mileage warranty and 3-years/60,000km service package at Al Tayer Motors
The coupe and topless versions are both driven by the same powertrain; share the same interior luxury; and are mostly set apart by the moving roof and AED 90,000.
The 2018 GranCabrio, like the GranTurismo, is available in two versions Sport and MC. My test drive was the former. MC stands for Maserati Corse and showcases the racing heritage of Maserati, like the MC Stradale previously did. Over 37,000 GranTurismo and GranCabrio vehicles have been sold in their lifespan: The grand tourer was introduced in 2007 and the convertible version in 2009.
Driving notes
The highlight of this Maserati is again the 4.7 L V8 engine – naturally aspirated to be emphasised – which is mated to a 6-speed ZF automatic gearbox: must be one of the last six-speeds in such a prestigious cockpit. Hand-assembled by Ferrari, the engine weighs only 175kg and yet features a wet sump and in its Maserati version comes with a cross-plane crankshaft. This thingamajig is a vital component for it makes the car respond quicker, pick up engine speed at your whim and sound even more like a Maserati. While the naturally aspirated 4.2-litre engine has been discontinued from this year, this could possibly be the last GranCabrio before a turbocharged era begins for the Modena marvel.
Top down, the drive is slower by 2/10th of a second when compared with the GranTursimo, yet not holding back half a pint of thrill. Even if it feels trailing the full-bodied GranTurismo in certain corners, it’s just a feeling. The A-pillar felt somewhat thick but visibility isn’t compromised noticeably.
The roadsters are always the less practical lot; but they can get away with almost anything, the moment they drop the top! You wouldn’t have thought much of the boot space in the GranTurismo – until you raised the boot lid in the GranCabrio. Even the spare tyre that stopped me last time from using most part of the GranTurismo’s boot now had to sit straight and still!
The ICE as expected chokes the throttle and turns the GranCabrio astonishingly similar to a ‘normal’ car – but the climb feels so not Maserati, it takes courage to smile in the face of this challenge! If it is of any consolation, ICE returned a 5.0km/L figure from a slightly conscious driving style. Paddles stick to you only if you stick with them – or else it returns to automatic.
The Design
The Maserati profile shows up with the familiar signature of Pininfarina, and the original design is well-preserved even as aerodynamics has improved with new air ducts, grille and bumper tweaks, while adhering to latest pedestrian safety regulations. Not unlike recent design shifts, the lamps have become narrower and more stylish. The sensuous lines have echoes from the 1950 A6G Frua Spyder with its legendary racing heart.
Cabin and Controls
The major changes are in the cabin for the sporty Maserati duo, starting with an impressive new rear-view camera and a multimedia interface. The 8.4” high resolution screen is capacitive and responds reasonably quickly, while a double rotary control on the central console works in tandem – similar to the cars from Ingolstadt. Entertainment is completed by a Harman Kardon Premium Sound system and as expected the new cabin is compatible with Apple Car Play and Android Auto.
Family drive
Those hand-crafted Poltrona Frau® seats are good for four, and if you don’t ask too much from this cabin, it is one of the most comfortable rear seats to grace a vehemently sporty car.
The essential Maserati GranCabrio Sport
The Maserati GranCabrio Sport is a hearty laugh at the purposeful and precise movement of automobile advancement into the electric and autonomous era. A laugh that stems from the thrill of holding on to a well-weighted steering in every banking movement, a laugh that is triggered by a pleasure that seems unbridled, as the high-revving car happily swings past 7500. It makes you want to hold on to that swinging thrill, like Tarzan. Turbo can wait.
IMAGES: Sudeep Koshy and Supplied by Maserati
