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Weekend roadtest: Maserati GranCabrio
publication date: May 29, 2010
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author/source: Robin Roberts & David Miles
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On the tail of rising residual values, the
arrival of the Maserati GranCabrio four seater convertible is the third
prong in the trident trademarked car company.
At the
same time as the new open topped car arrives, Maserati has updated its
saloon Quattroporte which was introduced in 2004 and three-year old
GranTurismo coupe, which have up to how been the staples in the sports
car brand.
Peter Denton, head of sales Maserati GB, said the prestige
performance car brand had not been immune from the recession but had
weathered it better than some expected by careful management of stock
and through dealer and customer support. This has meant the current
shortage of used models has seen a 15 to 20 per cent improvement in
residual values, which is excellent news for the 13 UK dealers and their
current car owners.
“From September to December last year our sales
surge was Vat driven by the new 15 per cent rating. January to March
this year was a similarly encouraging picture but whether it is the
change in Government, lower share prices or the ash cloud there now
seems to be more caution around by customers - although it is still
healthy,” he said.
Maserati’s UK sales peaked at 715 units in 2008 before
the recession and in common with all other manufacturers sales fell but it has a worldwide sales target of 5,900 vehicles this year - up
from 4,900 in 2009. Their sales have steadily grown from 3,100 units in
2003 up to 8,600 units in 2008 before the recession hit market of 2009.
Key to this growth will be the new GranCabrio. | | The two door, full
four seater GranCabrio with its power operated fabric roof begins at
£96,175 but there are like all Maserati models, a huge range of options
including bespoke luggage so discerning owners can tailor the car to
their specific choice. The new 175mph
GranCabrio is powered by a V8 petrol engine and specifically for this
model a 4.7-litre 440hp unit matched with a ZF six speed automatic
transmission which take it from 0-62mph in 5.3secs. |  | Sophisticated electronics allow the driver to use normal
or sport modes which at the touch of a button alter the engine and
transmission mapping as well as the GranCabrio’s suspension and ride
responses.
The folding multi-layered hood has a heated rear glass
window and requires no manual locking or unlocking by the driver. With
the hood stowed under the tonneau cover there is excellent visibility
and a three-part wind baffle can be used to protect occupants in the
front when it’s open, but it means no-one can then sit behind in the
occasional twin seats.
Visibility with the hood erect is considerably
reduced but it’s a very snug arrangement and wind noise is extremely
low when it’s closed or open. | The powertrain is particularly smooth, the engine sounds
throaty when extended and it responds immediately to throttle inputs and
the brakes are very powerful if a little lacking in feel when applied.
Maserati
make much of their grand tourer philosophy but altering the powertrain
responses means you have to accept a stiffer ride at the same time when
some drivers would prefer the comfier setting while enjoying the
snappier gearchanges and acceleration.
The seats are excellent, well
padded and supporting but legroom behind is suitable only for children. |  | The Maserati GranCabrio felt very well put together with
no scuttle or chassis shake and it coped well with some bad bumps which
tested the suspension but never put it off line through a bend.
On a
brief test it showed a petrol consumption of 18.3mpg.
The Maserati GranCabrio is a very sophisticated soft-top which is very much a grand tourer exuding exclusivity and which feels extremely well built and now is holding its value to a remarkable degree.
|  | Trident attack: The Maserati range now comprises coupe GranTurismo, GranCabrio and Quattroporte saloon, with bespoke equipment options.
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The GranCabrio is derived from the coupe Gran Turismo
which is available in standard, Turismo S Automatic and Turismo S
versions.
All have a six-speed ZF sequential automatic with paddles on
the column, automatic electronic parking brake and new exhaust system,
traction and stability control, leather and aluminium trim, powered
seats and sophisticated sound sytems.
The Turismo has a 4.2 V8
developing 405hp and gives 177mph maximum with 0-62mph in 5.2sec while
the S and Automatic versions have the 440hp 4.7 V8 which lifts maximum
speed to 183mph and cuts the 0-62mph time to 4.9 and 5.0sec
respectively.
Turismo prices rise from £80,450, the S Automatic is
£86.765 and S is £90,455.
The saloon, four-door Quattroporte, S and
Sport GTS models cost from £79,555, £85,550 and £92,355. They all have
the same six-speed ZF automatic gearbox with a 400hp 4.2 V8 in the
Quattroporte which is replaced with a 430hp 4.7 V8 in the S and a tuned
440hp 4.7 in the GTS that also gets revised gearbox software and
suspension modifications and more sporting tyres.
Top speed of the
Quattroporte is 167mph, 0-62mph takes 5.6sec, the S reaches 174mph with
5.4sec to 62mph and the GTS tops 177mph and takes 5.1sec to 62mph.
They
also have leather and aluminium trim, traction control, high
performance lights, advanced sound system and climate control. Top
models come with rear seat comfort and climate packs, wood detailing,
and chrome highlights to the exterior. GTS versions hark to Maserati’s
racing heritage and have red callipers and badge highlights while
modified transmission and suspension give a more sporting response. |
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