Italians have a reputation for creating beautiful objects. They’re a nation that seemed to sacrifice almost everything for the sake of aesthetics; older Italian cars had a formidable reputation for being undriveable, unrealiable, but one look and you were quite possibly in love.

I should know, I am Italian. Although the most beautiful thing I have ever created was a wooden birdfeeder for a grade school project. But I digress. The motorvehicle over which you are currently drooling is the Maserati GrandCabrio Sports. The GranCabrio was no lay-about, so quite why they needed to make it faster is beyond me.

As you are well aware, the GranCabrio is by far and away the most beautiful Cabriolet ever built. Fact. There is drama, beauty and power in spades. Like dating a lingerie model who enjoys kickboxing. And just in case that was a little boring for you, they’ve cranked it up a bit.

Borrowing the 4.7 litre V8 from the Maserati GranTursimo Stradale, which looks and sounds like a thunderstorm in a Bond film, the GranCabrio gets uprated brakes, suspension and a new aerokit to deal with the extra power.

The naturally aspirated alloy V8 delivers 331kW, or 450hp, to the rear wheels via an improved 7 speed flappy paddle transmission. I imagine the engineers at Maserati were peering over the shoulders of their compadrés at Ferrari when they designed that one.

Because Italians are the sort of people who wave supercars past instead of arresting the drivers (Switzerland, I’m looking at you here) the GranCabrio has a new exhaust system to make it louder beyond 2500rpm. For your aural pleasure, please enjoy this video of one minute of pure Maserati sound. Glorious.

The GranCabrio Sports is on sale right now, prices are unconfirmed which means you probably have to ask. And you know what they say about that. If you have to ask, don’t bother.

Ciro De Siena – OverdriveTV

Full Specifications for the Maserati GranCabrio Sports

Body

High-strength steel monocoque, under-body aluminium cross bracing

Layout

Front-mid-engine, rear-drive

Engine

4.7-litre all-alloy V8

Power

450hp (331kW) @ 7000rpm

Torque

510Nm @ 4750rpm

Capacity

4691cc

Bore x stroke

94mm x 84.5mm

Compression ratio

11.25:1

Maximum engine speed

7200rpm

Oil delivery

Wet sump

0-100km/h acceleration

5.2 seconds

Top speed

285km/h

Fuel consumption – Urban

22.5 litres/100km

Fuel consumption – Extra-urban

9.8 litres/100km

Fuel consumption – combined

14.5 litres/100km

CO2 emissions

337 grams/km

Transmission

Six-speed automatic (ZF 6HP26) with MC Auto Shift

Ratios

First:                4.171:1

Second:            2.340:1

Third:               1.521:1

Fourth: 1.143:1

Fifth:                0.867:1

Sixth:               0.691:1

Reverse:          3.403:1

Final Drive:      3.73:1

Differential

Asymmetric limited-slip (25% in traction, 45% in release) with bevel drive

Steering

Engine-speed sensitive power steering, rack-and-pinion.

Turning circle

12.3 metres

Length

4881mm

Width (with mirrors)

2056mm

Width (without mirrors)

1915mm

Height

1353mm

Wheelbase

2942mm

Front track

1586mm

Rear track

1590mm

Front overhang

873mm

Rear overhang

1066mm

Boot/trunk capacity

173 litres

Fuel capacity

75 litres

Dry weight (EU)

1887kg

Kerb weight (EU)

1980kg

Weight distribution (roof closed)

49% front/51% rear

Weight distribution (roof open)

48%/52%

Brakes

360mm front discs, 330mm rear discs

Tyres

245/35 ZR20 (front); 285/35 ZR20 (rear)

The Maserati GranCabrio, which is more of a convertible version of the GranTurismo S, comes powered with a 4.7-liter V8 engine that delivers 323 kW (440 hp) and 490 Nm of torque. This beauty can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 5.4 seconds to a top speed of 175 mph, all thanks to a six-speed ZF automatic gearbox.

This new model of Maserati offers customers a choice of 14 different exterior colors, in addition to an assortment of leather upholstery and a variety of dashboard trims.

Customers also have the option to buy a bespoke four-piece leather luggage set and a trolley suitcase which can be fixed to the rear seats.

The Maserati GranCabrio was supposed to be unveiled officially at next month’s Frankfurt Auto Show but just to add to the enthusiasm, Maserati has gone ahead and made the details public a month before. The Pininfarina-designed GranCabrio has been beautifully converted into an open soft-top machine that comes with a cloth roof which deploys over the four-passenger compartment, eventually keeping the weight down. Just for the records, the Maserati GranCabrio is the first four-seat convertible in the history of the company. Maserati proudly boasts about the longest wheelbase (on the market) of the car. Under the hood you find a 4.7-liter 433-hp V8 from the GT S which is mated to a ZF six-speed automatic. You surely need to be at the Maserati corner in Frankfurt to see this beauty in “person”. [via Autoblog]