Exterior
The new, sporty look can be seen in each stylistic element of the
Maserati Gran Cabrio MC's bodywork. Inspired directly by the cars of the
Maserati Trofeo MC World Series and the GT4 version, the new design
perfectly blends sportiness, dynamism, the search for aerodynamic
perfection, elegance and style. These stylistic elements already partly
characterised the Gran Turismo MC Stradale and the Gran Turismo Sport,
and seamlessly unite form and function.
The car, 48 millimetres longer than the Gran Cabrio and GranCabrio
Sport, is characterised by a front end which is inspired directly by the
MC Stradale, adopting a profile designed to optimise the aerodynamic
lift and flow. These differ from those on other versions of the Gran
Cabrio due to the increased car length and other aerodynamic elements at
the rear end.
The bonnet incorporates two generous air outlets at the centre to
optimise cooling of the powerful V8, and two more air outlets to cool
down the brake discs have also been added to the two front wings.
Initially introduced on the Gran Turismo Sport the new headlights, which
adopt LEDs for the daytime running light (DRL) function, complete the
new look of the Maserati Gran Cabrio MC. Though they maintain the
external shape seen on the other three versions in the Gran Cabrio
range, the new headlights adopt the most modern technology, perfectly
enhanced with an extremely sporty look thanks to the matt black colour
of the structure.
The bi-xenon unit inside the headlight also incorporates Adaptive Light
Control, which follows the movement of the steering by up to 15 degrees.
The rear is characterised by the large spoiler, for greater negative
lift at high speeds. Inside the spoiler, built into the luggage
compartment, is the third brake light. The standard version comes in the
same colour as the body and it is also available, within the various
car customisation packages, with a carbon finish.
The bumper has been completely redesigned at the bottom to make the new
model even sportier and at the same time ensure optimal aerodynamic
efficiency. The circular exhausts have been moved to the centre of the
bumper and the specific layout of the air ducts, built into the lower
part of the bumper, ensure greater streamlining, stabilising the air
flow from the underbody.
Finally, the dynamism of the Maserati Gran Cabrio MC is accentuated by
the 20" MC Design rims, available in glossy Titanio or matt Grafite, and
made using flow-forming technology. In addition to being lighter, they
feature the traditional Trident, skilfully worked into the
double-spokes.
The Interior
The interior of the Maserati Gran Cabrio MC has received a thorough overhaul with particular attention paid to ergonomics.
The new seats, completely redesigned from both an aesthetic and
functional point of view and enhanced with high-quality materials, now
ensure the optimum balance of comfort and performance, elegance and
functionality. The new structure of both the front and rear seats now
incorporates the headrest and is enhanced by an upper, central trim,
with a design inspired by the car's front grille.
Particularly important, especially with convertible cars, is the
attention paid to the rear passengers. For this reason, the frame for
the front seats, which is also available in a completely carbon-fibre
version, has been completely redesigned to ensure 20 mm more legroom for
the rear passengers.
Particular attention has been paid to the ergonomic and comfort-related
aspects of driving. The seats, with an increased profile to enhance
their wrap-around structure and lateral containment, ensure sporty
driving while guaranteeing superior comfort, even on very long journeys.
The steering wheel features a new design, with the rim flattened at the
top and bottom for greater manoeuvrability, also for sports and
high-speed use, without interfering with the driver's legs.
The rear seats have been redesigned according to the same logic: maximum
comfort, maximum passenger restraint in sports driving and ample use of
quality materials.
To complete the new, super-sporty look of the new Maserati Gran Cabrio
MC, it incorporates the Trofeo-design steering wheel paddles as
standard, with increased dimensions as seen on the Gran Turismo Sport,
and an aluminium pedal unit.
The Engine and performance
As with the most sporty Gran Turismo in the range (the Gran Turismo
Sport), the Gran Cabrio MC also adopts the new 4.7-litre V8 engine,
which delivers 338 kW (460 HP) together with substantial torque of 520
Nm at 4,750 rpm.
The pistons, positioned at an angle of 90°, are made of reinforced,
hardened aluminium, as is the engine block. The crankshaft, with
five-point balancing, is made of high-strength steel.
The timing system, with a system of two chains per bank, features dual variable valve timing.
The new power unit, in combination with the MC Auto Shift transmission,
is now able to propel the Maserati Gran Cabrio MC, in closed soft top
configuration, to a top speed of 289 km/h (179 mph) with acceleration of
0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.
Automatic transmission (MC Auto Shift)
Like other sports models in the Maserati range, the Maserati Gran Cabrio
MC also adopts an automatic six-speed ZF transmission able to transfer
all the power of the 460 HP V8 engine to the ground. Calibrated
specifically for application on the sportiest version in the Gran Cabrio
range, the MC Auto Shift transmission features five operating modes. It
can be used in Auto-Normal, Auto-Sport, Manual-Normal, Manual-Sport and
Ice modes.
In Manual mode, gear changes are carried out directly by the driver
through the steering wheel paddles, as with a truly manual gearbox. In
Manual-Normal mode, the driver can change gear until the threshold value
is reached, while in Manual-Sport mode the gear is maintained until the
driver next changes gear, even if this may result in over-revving and
the intervention of the limiter.
On the Gran Cabrio Sport, Sport mode includes super-fast mode, which
derives directly from the Gran Turismo Sport and the Quattroporte Sport
GT S and permits gear changes that are 50% faster.
The mode includes automatic blipping (short burst of acceleration) when
downshifting with the Launch Control system, called MC Start
Strategy(which operates only with MSP deactivated).
Using the MC Start Strategy, the driver holds down the brake pedal,
presses the accelerator pedal and then releases the brake pedal when the
optimum engine speed is reached (2,300-2,500 rpm).
Chassis and suspension
Performance, safety and comfort were the guidelines that Maserati
engineers followed when designing the chassis for the new Gran Cabrio
MC. In light of the experience gained with the GranTurismo MC Stradale,
it is fitted with single-rate dampers, to give maximum emphasis to the
car's sporty character, which guarantee greater rigidity in order to
ensure optimum road holding in all driving conditions, without
detracting from maximum passenger comfort.
