By Mike Torpey on 2010-05-31 - Driving Force news editor and responsible for organising our daily output. He was staff motoring editor of the Liverpool Echo for 20 years.
Maserati on track
for success
BLAZING sunshine, the fragrant smells of spring and one of the coolest looking convertibles in the world - open top motoring doesn't come much better than this.
Well actually it does, because when there's 440bhp of monstrous power under the bonnet, what you really crave is to give it some serious welly.
At which point the genie pops out of the bottle in the form of a sat-nav command, tells you to turn left in 200 yards and announces: "You have reached your destination".
When you are behind the wheel of a Maserati GranCabrio, the Prodrive testing ground in Warwickshire is the sort of place you want to finish up.
The GranCabrio, launched last month, is a convertible with a difference. Not only does it ooze class with its supermodel styling and sensational soundtrack but it is also a genuine four-seater with enough legroom for those of average height, though second row rugby forwards might struggle a bit.
It completes a line-up that also comprises the Quattroporte grand tourer and two-door GranTurismo coupe, and as Maserati proudly points out: "This is the third prong in our Trident badge."
But back to the track. The Prodrive facility is more proving ground than Grand Prix circuit and as such has some rough surfaces that will truly test a car's suspension and ride quality at high speed.
The GranCabrio is sensational. Beautifully poised throughout with a 49/51 per cent front to back weight distribution and immense braking power, you flick through the gears via motorsport-style paddles or leave it to the six-speed auto box.
Press the Sport button and the transmission drops down a gear and the engine note snarls ever more ferociously as the big 4.7-litre V8 hits 60mph in 5.4 seconds, comfortably topping the ton before you need to apply the anchors for a tight right-hander. Top speed is 175mph.
Make no mistake, the GranCabrio is a large car - based on the slightly less expensive GranTurismo with which it shares a raft of technology - and as such comes up against the likes of Jaguar XKR, BMW 6 Series and Mercedes SL500.
On looks, top up or down, it has them all nailed courtesy of those seductive lines, exclusive Italian leather, distinctive analogue clock, hi-tech BOSE sound system and that Maserati badge, while the fabric roof is fully electric and stows in 25 seconds. You don't, however, have much space for luggage.
Needless to say there's plenty of scope for personalising what's an already lavish specification, with 10 special paint colours, various piping and stitching and multiple wood trims all available.
Maserati has enjoyed something of a renaissance over the past couple of years, the recession notwithstanding, and predicts it will sell 514 cars in the UK this year. Some 231 of those are expected to be GranCabrio.
The 2010 Maserati range starts with the Quattroporte 4.2-litre V8 model with the six-speed ZF auto box and switchable Sport mode at £79,555.
It is an elegant sporty saloon with overdrive sixth gear for relaxed cruising and, along with the 4.7-litre Quattroporte S and Sport GTS models, is the Maserati model I most enjoyed driving.
Shame then that the Italian company only reckons it will sell 85 of them this year. That said, it will certainly add to the exclusivity factor for those lucky enough to own one.
The GranTurismo coupe also comprises three versions - the standard 4.2-litre V8 at £80,450 plus the 4.7-litre GranTurismo S and S Automatic - of which sales are expected to be around 198.
Overall it is a magnificent range of cars from a manufacturer with pedigree and passion. There's nothing flash about these models and as is the case with another iconic car maker, Aston Martin, you drive a Maserati with an air of distinction.
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