AN invitation to drive a new Maserati model doesn't come along very often, and when it does it is something to savour.

There could only be one place to test the new GranCabrio Sport, and that was in Italy, in and around the city of Trieste.

Did I enjoy it? You bet.

Under sunny skies in the main square I slipped into the luxurious leather seat behind the wheel of this magical motor with the trident badged black grille pointing to the blue Mediterranean and fired up the highly tuned 4.7-litre V8 engine.

I knew this test drive was going to be a bit special when the roar of the 450bhp under the bonnet made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up and the Italian tourists reach for their cameras.

In sport mode, the rasping crackle from the modified twin exhausts alone is almost worth the extra money over the standard GranCabrio which itself has proved a big hit for the Italian supercar maker.

The four-seater, soft top  GranCabrio Sport, for all its power and stunning speed , isn't an out and out performance car, it's a grand tourer which will be seen gliding along sun-kissed roads with its wealthy owner enjoying the admiring looks from less fortunate drivers.

Under the bonnet of the Sport model Maserati has upped the power by 10bhp over the standard GranCabrio to 450bhp, which gives it a whopping top speed of 177mph and a 0-62mph time of just 5.2 seconds.

Fuel consumption on a combined run is claimed to be around 19mpg, but driven hard, as it should be, don't expect much more than 14.

Maserati has upgraded the Sport's active suspension and software for the six-speed automatic gearbox which is slick and seamless and it has been fitted with larger F1 style paddle shifts.

The Sport gives a smooth ride around town and soaks up bumps and rough surfaces surprisingly well for a performance motor.

Under acceleration the Sport, which weights in a 1.9 tonnes, simply leaps into action and surges forward.

Stopping power is equally impressive. The GranCabrio Sport can come to rest in just 35 metres at 62mph.

Road holding is excellent with pin-sharp steering and very little body roll or shake for a soft-top motor.

The interior of the Maserati is a work of art with superb quality leather seats with trident embossed headrests, gleaming switchgear on the central console and neat dials which are easily accessed.

Drilled aluminium pedals add to the sporty look.

Space inside is good up front but for those in the rear it could be a problem if you're around the 6ft mark. I found leg and head room restrictive.

And don't expect to get much in the boot - its tiny. The space is taken up with the electrically folding cloth top which can be opened or closed in 19 seconds.

Exterior changes from the standard GranCabrio include black oval tailpipes, 20-inch black allows, black grille, prominent side skirts and a pair of corner splitters on the front bumper.

So, how much will this amazing motor cost when it goes on sale in the UK in October?

It comes in at £102,615. That's around £4,000 more than the standard GranCabrio, but I think the extra is worth every penny.

You'll get sharper handling, more power, sportier looks and, not least, that superb sound.