MASERATI is ramping up the power with a new, more dynamically efficient version of its grand-touring convertible.

The stunning new GranCabrio Sport will debut at next month's Geneva Motor Show ahead of a summertime launch

The aim has been to provide the existing GranCabrio line-up with a harder-edged model to sit alongside high performance stablemates the GranTurismo S and the Quattroporte Sport GT S.

And this latest Maserati really looks the part too - starting with its distinctive nose with black grille and a Trident with red accents.

The car's headlights now have a black look with white sidemarks while front corner splitters and the redesigned side skirts are both body coloured.

A new body colour for the marque - Rosso Trionfale inspired by the red Italian national colours used on 1950s racing Maseratis like the 250F model driven by Juan Manuel Fangio to his fifth F1 world title in 1957 - also debuts on the GranCabrio Sport.

The harder edge has been achieved by giving the new Sport convertible a more powerful and fuel-efficient version of the Italian company's a 4.7-litre V8, coupled with its ZF six-speed automatic transmission.

This naturally aspirated engine produces a whopping 450bhp while Maserati's friction reduction set-up has made the GranCabrio Sport's engine more reactive to driver input. There's also a six per cent cut in fuel consumption.

The car's handling has received attention, too, with an upgrade and revision of the Skyhook active-suspension system - now with a sportier tuning - and the adoption of grooved and drilled dual-cast brake discs.