Maserati GranCabrio: the logical continuation
This is not always true, but often coupes often end up being… cut. In fact, many manufacturers cannot resist the temptation of removing the roof to transform their creation into a convertible. This is particularly the case at Maserati which, for the second time, is scissoring the roof of its GranTurismo coupe and thus transforming it into a Maserati GranCabrio.
An esthete’s car, the Italian convertible is one in more than one way. First of all because like a large speedboat docked in the port of Saint-Tropez, it displays an impressive size, with, to the nearest 4 cm, 5 m long by 1.96 m wide, but also because its dress is dressed to the nines. Subtly marked shoulders, generously flared grille where the house trident proudly sits and endless hood (3 m2!) magnetize the retinas, essential elements to arouse emotion – and the desire to sign the order form – in the enthusiast beautiful things that spend without counting. Are you going up?
Maserati GranCabrio: big for the right reasons
If the length of the Maserati GranCabrio clearly indicates that it is above all with the United States in mind that the manufacturer from Modena designed this new generation, and that it will therefore be necessary to be vigilant in the small streets of Europe, this size of barge does not only have faults. Stretched to 2.93 m, the wheelbase benefits the comfort of rear passengers who certainly do not have to be built like mountains but can be over twelve years old to settle in. A real plus, in a high-end world that often forgets that you can be rich and have real friends to go for a ride with.
In return, the entire crew will have to limit themselves on luggage, with a tiny trunk (172 dm3 and even 131 dm3 with the roof open), but real rear seats are still a good point. Especially since this setting testifies to a serious creation, with noble materials and satisfactory assemblies if not overflowing originality. Indeed, even more than the traditional and elegant clock with hands placed in the middle of the dashboard replaced by, it is a shame, a digital display, the double touch screen system for the multimedia (12.3 inches) and the vital controls placed underneath (air conditioning, drive, etc., on 8.8 inches) swear a little in this luxury car. And this is also not without consequences in terms of ergonomics, with the systematic obligation to take your eyes off the road. But, since it only takes 14 seconds to open the roof and cool off, even when driving at speeds of up to 50 km/h, the breeze will cool you down instead of the air conditioning. And removing the top of this diva can also be done without fear of pneumonia in winter, with satisfactory protection for the occupants placed in the front. The latter can also warm up via a neck heater and the addition of a wind deflector net which, if it condemns the use of the rear seats, limits the turbulence on board to the minimum. Last detail testifying to a certain taste for the elegance of this Italian without the top, know that the Maserati GranCabrio declines its hood in five colors, just to satisfy those who care about the smallest detail.
The pleasure of grand tourism… in two ways!
If Maserati is renowned for being a luxury and sporty brand, its range is divided into two parts. If you’re addicted to driving, it’s not this GranCabrio that’s for you but an MC20 coupe, the latter also available for open-air driving, with the Cielo spider. On the contrary, like the GranTurismo coupe from which it closely derives, the GranCabrio prefers grand touring, a clever mix of comfort, luxury and high performance. But based on the STLA Large platform from the Stellantis group, the trident convertible also offers, a first at this level of the range, the choice between thermal mechanics or 100% electric in the Folgore version. The first uses the famous Nettuno V6 deflated to 550 hp from the MC20, the latter also distinguished here by a wet sump. The engine of course has the original combustion prechamber device, a unique technology on the market until now reserved for Formula 1. Another specificity of this GranCabrio is that, like the GranTurismo coupe, it is only available with all-wheel drive (rear-wheel drive). for MC20) and of course, the V6 is here placed in the central front position. By the way, there is room under the hood to put bigger! Motors, the 100% electric Folgore version has three, one in front and two behind each developing 300 kW. In other words, this gives 560 kW cumulatively (i.e. 762 hp) and even more in Corsa mode (830 hp), knowing that the maximum torque is announced at 1,350 Nm! Powered by a 92.5 kWh battery (i.e. 83 usable), the same as the coupe supplied by LG Chem, the GranCabrio announces very high performance, including when charging. Indeed, the Italian convertible enters the small club of 800 V voltage, making it possible to support direct current powers of up to 270 kW. And, between the two versions, the heart is torn.
In thermal, the atmosphere is there, but less the music
Sitting with his buttocks at ground level with the giant hood that Maserati calls Cofango in his sights, the driver of the GranCabrio just has to open the top to make the day beautiful. But if the large paddles on the steering wheel (one of the trademarks of Maserati and Ferrari) are there, as is the nobility of the mechanical architecture, the ears remain unsatisfied when starting up. Very discreet, not to say erased, the V6 Nettuno gives the sensation of being hoarse, not to say sick, with hints of three cylinders not very in phase with the expected thrill. This is logical, because at low load and on the most sensible driving programs, the engine sometimes only runs on half of its cylinders, deactivating the right ramp to reduce consumption. By switching the driving program to the spicier options (Sport and Corsa), the smile returns with a soundtrack that is much more pleasant to the ear and a more frenzied temperament. Even more than the 550 hp, the 650 Nm of torque guaranteeing great performance, all associated with an eight-speed gearbox that is always in the right tempo, so much so that we ultimately use the paddles only for fun. But if the healthy and balanced road behavior invites you to drive quickly and with confidence, the size of the machine invites you to keep your wits about you. Indeed, this 5 m long boat is not a monster of agility, especially since Maserati did not see fit to equip it with rear-wheel steering. Furthermore, the weight, with nearly two tons on the scale, ends up being felt (and the brakes, which also suffer) if you drive this GranCabrio like a Gran-malotru. This Italian GT is extraordinary, especially since its air suspension works effectively on the comfort side. But if you are looking for a sports car, there is the MC20 at Maserati.
100% electric convertible: a world apart
It is obvious that Maserati will sell more thermal GranCabrios than the 100% electric Folgore. But driving this convertible is worth the detour. For its performance, mind-blowing first of all with an immediate power that makes the landscape scroll by at the slightest caress on the gas pedal at the speed of light. The 0 to 200 km/h is erased in less than 10 seconds… All of this, of course, without breaking the load with a fixed ratio. The other feat of the machine is to cope well with a significant excess weight compared to the coupe (2,340 kg announced). With a lower perched center of gravity, we even have the feeling at the wheel of having a car less sensitive to understeer, a gain to which the two rear engines are undoubtedly not unrelated, allowing the torque to be modulated between the wheels in order to make it more agile. But, here too, we must keep a sense of proportion and above all avoid disconnecting the electronic aids, because the brutality of the arrival of the torque requires very quick reflexes. And of course, weight and size invite us to respect the machine and to simply remain humble at the wheel, a rule that applies to all modern sports cars stuffed with electronic aids. The only real disappointment at the wheel of the first luxury four-seater electric convertible in history, is also due to a musical story. If Maserati equips this Folgore with an artificial soundtrack whose volume increases according to the chosen program and which is not unpleasant to listen to, it is impossible… to turn it off! Too bad, because the experience of driving in the open air with no other noise than the birds singing would make the experience even more extraordinary.
Maserati GranCabrio: the balance
Less gifted for singing than the previous model (ah, the V8!), but more rigorous in every way, This Maserati GranCabrio has something to please fans of exceptional grand touring cars. And of course, for the latter, the price (€208,850 for the Folgore and €234,550 for the Trofeo petrol) will probably not be a real problem!
