Maserati GB have confirmed that their new Maserati GranCabrio Sport will cost £102,615 ($164,000, €115,000) in the UK.
The new model features a more powerful engine and is designed as a “harder-edged” version of the existing cabriolet. Its 4.7-litre V8 develops 331 kW (450 HP) and 510Nm of maximum torque, meaning that the Maserati can reach 62mph (100 km/h) in 5.2s on its way to a top speed of 177mph (285 km/h).
Maserati’s engineers have tweaked the ‘Skyhook’ active-suspension system to give a sportier feel to the ride and the braking system has been uprated to handle the extra power too. One interesting feature is the exhaust, which has a bypass valve to “provide an even richer sound” in Sport mode.
Externally the GranCabrio Sport has been given red accents and white highlights to distinguish it from the standard model along with front corner splitters, redesigned side skirts and 20” alloy wheels. It is also available in a new colour, Rosso Trionfale, a rich metallic red inspired by the Italian national colour used on 1950s racing Maseratis. Inside two new colours are available for the leather seats: Bianco Pregiato, a shade of ivory and Grigio Chrono, a dark grey.
The GranCabrio Sport uses 6 per cent less fuel than the old car and consumption is likely to be around 19.5mpg (14.5litres/100km) in everyday use. The fuel tank holds a just under 17 gallons (75 litres) giving usable range of around 325 miles (523km). CO2 emissions are 337 grams/km.
Its ZF six-speed automatic transmission includes the super-fast MC Auto Shift software and drives the rear wheels through a limited-slip differential.
The first of the Pininfarina designed four-seater convertibles will be delivered to customers from October 2011 following its launch at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011.