Maserati GranCabrio Sport 2012 Review

Maserati.Inc - Maserati has taken the GranCabrio convertible to a new level of performance with the new Maserati GranCabrio Sport.

With more power, a faster gearshift and a distinctively aggressive look, the Maserati GranCabrio Sport has given Maserati a harder-edged convertible to sit alongside the GranTurismo S and the Quattroporte Sport GT S as the performance flagships of their respective ranges.

Publically unveiled at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, the Maserati GranCabrio Sport combines an upgraded 4.7-litre V8 engine with a 10 horsepower increase to 450 hp and improved fuel economy with the faster MC Auto Shift transmission. Visually, the Maserati GranCabrio Sport is characterized by a more-pronounced dynamic look.

Exterior Design

Maserati's design team worked to provide a more-aggressive look that sat in harmony with the GranCabrio's critically acclaimed styling.

A series of relatively small upgrades in critical areas have created an integrated, dynamic design that immediately differentiates the Maserati GranCabrio Sport from the rest of the GranCabrio range and identifies it with both the Quattroporte Sport GT S and the GranTurismo S. It's a colour that highlights the Maserati GranCabrio Sport's strong personality, yet maintains its elegant and slim look.

The strong, distinctive GranCabrio grille receives even more character with a new black colour, while the grille's Maserati Trident receives the red accents that are reserved for the fastest car in each of Maserati's model ranges. The dynamic look is finished with redesigned 20" Astro-design wheels and a pair of menacing, black oval exhaust tips.

Interior Design

The Maserati GranCabrio Sport introduces changes to the gear-shifting system, with Maserati's Active Shifting paddles now standard. The Maserati GranCabrio Sport debuts two new interior colours in rich leather: Bianco Pregiato and Grigio Chrono. Grigio Chrono is a darker grey, developed to complement the new Rosso Trionfale body colour. To differentiate it further from the standard GranCabrio, the Maserati GranCabrio Sport badge will be positioned on the dashboard in front of the passenger.

While the front passenger seat matches the driver's seat by receiving adjustable lumbar support as standard, all four seats incorporate the new M-Design seat stitching.

This design reflects classical Maserati grille designs and replicates the design in the central seat panel, all crafted with Poltrona Frau's finest leather.

Engine

The Maserati GranCabrio Sport uses the latest version of Maserati's sonorous, all-alloy 4.7-litre V8, taken straight from the high-performance GranTurismo MC Stradale.

The performance increases are a result of Maserati's Friction Reduction Program, which has made the Maserati GranCabrio Sport's engine more reactive to the driver's most-nuanced inputs. Besides added power, torque and responsiveness, the Friction Reduction Program has lowered the Maserati GranCabrio Sport's fuel consumption by six percent to a combined total of 14.5 litres/100km.

The new exhaust tips also help the Maserati GranCabrio Sport to give a richer engine sound when the bypass valves are activated. The valves are always open in Manual-Sport mode, while they are open above 2500rpm in Auto-Sport mode.

Transmission

The Maserati GranCabrio Sport is the first Maserati to match the upgraded, 450hp version of the 4.7-litre engine with the day-to-day luxury of a fully automatic transmission.

This six-speed transmission includes the super-fast MC Auto Shift mode and has been developed for the Maserati GranCabrio Sport directly from the transmission in the Quattroporte Sport GT S.

The MC Auto Shift mode contains a launch-control mode and is active in both Manual Sport and Automatic Sport modes to provide faster gearshift times and to automatically "blip" the throttle during down-shifts.

To operate the MC Start Strategy (launch-control mode), the driver turns off the MSP in Auto Sport mode, then holds the brake pedal while pressing the accelerator. The transmission gives the driver five distinct operating modes: Auto-Normal, Manual-Normal, Auto-Sport, Manual-Sport and Ice.

Chassis and Handling

The upgraded "Sport Skyhook" uses acceleration sensors to register wheel and chassis movement. With the Maserati GranCabrio Sport, the Skyhook system received upgraded management software and dampers to give a sharper focus on handling, grip and balance, while even the springs and anti-roll bars have been upgraded.

Derived from the GranTurismo's high-strength steel monocoque architecture, the GranCabrio and GranCabrio Sport feature aluminium structural reinforcements beneath the floor for extra rigidity at the cost of only 100kg compared to the GranTurismo S. The changes to the brakes, with grooved, ventilated and drilled discs on all four wheels, have targeted a sporty, responsive and consistent feeling for the driver.

The Maserati GranCabrio Sport will have the MC Sport Line packages available immediately at its launch, including interior and exterior carbon fibre features. It is also possible to change the body-coloured waist line around the cabin from black (Shadow line) to the same Chrome-line that is standard on the GranCabrio.

Maserati GranCabrio Sport Specifications

• 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: 7200 rpm
• Oil delivery: Wet sump
• 0-100km/h acceleration: 5.2 seconds
• Top speed: 285km/h
• Fuel consumption
  • Urban: 22.5 litres/100km
  • Extra-urban: .8 litres/100km
  • 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
  • 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
  • roof open: 48%/52%
• Brakes: 360mm front discs, 330mm rear discs
• Tyres: 245/35 ZR20 (front); 285/35 ZR20 (rear)