A superb self drive hire choice, created by master coachbuilder Pininfarina, the GranCabrio is characterised by its soft-top roof. This styling bonds the GranCabrio closely with the company’s refined traditions.
The Maserati Gran Cabrio offers a master class on how to excel at driving at the highest level and standard. This supercar is for motorists who know that driving is more than just changing gears: it is a way of life. When you choose this Maserati for self drive hire, you are beginning a journey to discover the point where luxury, beauty and power meet.
The performance ability of the Maserati
The execution of the Maserati is a mixture of high class technical standards and how the driver wishes to implement them. The transmission of the car is automatic, controlled with a 6-speed gearbox. From the moment you hear the Maserati 4.7 litre V8 engine turn on, you know you have something special. Maserati created a system where the pneumatic control valves in the engine manage the exhaust in a way that makes the engine purr with a sleek sound that other supercars cannot match. If you are a driver who loves engines, this is why the V8 engine will captivate you when you try this car on self drive hire. The V8 engine sees the Gran Cabrio have a top speed capability of 176 mph. The car can go from 0-60 mph in an impressive 5.2 seconds, and it delivers a 433 horsepower from its powerful engine. These are the types of performance features that Maserati drivers will appreciate because they point to the supremacy of Maserati as the luxury car marque that goes the extra mile for the driver.
The safety features of the Maserati highlight a meticulous attention to detail. When you are driving, you can operate the hydraulic brake assist feature which strengthens how the brake moves. You can use this feature whenever you want to create an even smoother driving experience, whether you turning sharp corners or going on a roundabout.
The design and look of the Gran Cabrio
When you look inside the Maserati, you realise how ground-breaking the car is. After 95 years, Maserati decided to create their first four-seater car with an open top. This makes this Maserati supercar the perfect option for a weekend car hire for a group of friends or your family. There is no better way to experience this Maserati than to marvel at the features of the interior with other passengers. The performance car is draped in the finest Poltrona Frau leather, which feels soft to the touch. The painstaking way Maserati designers have hand sewn the stitching on the armrest illuminates the glow of pure luxury done in the Maserati style. The wood that decorates the Maserati Gran Cabrio's cabin is delectable Brazilian Carbalho wood, polished to give a smooth gloss to a sleek interior.
The way you can operate the Maserati from the inside includes connecting your USB devices through ports located on the dashboard. The technological prowess of the Gran Cabrio means you can store up to 180 hours of music within the car, and you can also operate a CD player if you wish.
Exterior Design
When closed, the rear pillar – one that does not, in fact, exist – is mimicked in the hood’s smart, forward-slanting design, giving the GranCabrio the dashing looks of a coupé.
Once open, the Maserati GranCabrio transforms into an astounding cabriolet, free to show off all its sinuous, feline beauty. The vibrant side-on view is accentuated by the reduced ground clearance and long bonnet. A stylish ‘V’ points towards the grille, in the middle of which is a large chrome Trident.
The flanks also feature chrome elements that give the GranCabrio some added gloss. One particularly elegant design feature is the continuous chrome trim that encircles the cabin and integrates with the third rear stop light.
Towards the back of the car, the triangular light cluster is formed by 96 LEDs with a wide diffuser that further underlines the car’s athletic poise. This sporty feel is also seen in the generous 20” wheel rims that reflect the Trident design.
The shape of the GranCabrio is the result of extensive aerodynamic testing aimed at limiting the drag typical of droptop cars. The GranCabrio boasts a Cx coefficient that is one of the best in its class: 0.35 with the hood up and 0.39 with it down. The spoiler and rear diffuser both contribute to obtaining top draw roadholding.
Interior
The GranCabrio's cabin offers maximum comfort for front and rear occupants.The Maserati GranCabrio is the only real droptop in its class to offer enough space for four adults, seated in an elegant and luxurious cabin. The interior space is best in class and ensures maximum comfort for rear as well as frontpassengers.
The interior is divided by a central tunnel that distributes the space between the occupants along the car’s length. The dashboard extends horizontally and its upper section features a characteristic ‘V’, a distinctive Maserati symbol.
The GranCabrio’s cabin is attractive and inviting. Only the finest materials were employed in its build: the leather was handcrafted by Poltrona Frau® and a selection of prestigious woods was used for the dashboard, door panel and rear flank features. The level of craftsmanship and attention to detail can also be seen in the chrome rings that enhance the dashboard switches and steering wheel as well as the Alcantara finish on the back of the steering wheel paddles.
Adding to the on-board comfort is the canvas hood, one made up of three layers to ensure excellent acoustic isolation. With the top down and with just two on board, it is possible to minimise interior air flow thanks to the windstop developed specially for the GranCabrio (available as an option).
In the Maserati GranCabrio, the air conditioning has been optimised to offer the maximum comfort levels both with the top up or down. The system recognises how the car is being used and automatically reprogrammes the air output to maintain the set temperature.
Engine
The engine of the Maserati GranCabrio is an eight cylinder, 4691cc V90° capable of developing 440 hp at 7000 rpm and with a peak torque of 490 Nm at 4750 rpm. The power unit uses the advanced technology typical of all Maserati engines. This allows the declared power figures to be reached, ensures smooth gear changes and a quiet engine.
The timing is actioned by two overhead camshafts per bank and four valves per cylinder controlled by hydraulic tappets. The overhead camshafts on the aspirated side are controlled by a low pressure, continual phase variator, a technical solution that, together with the optimisation of the combustion chamber, allows 82% of the maximum torque from 2500 rpm for a superb overtaking, even in high gears.
Transmission
The Maserati GranCabrio features a six-speed, ZF automatic transmission with a hydraulic torque converter to give extremely fluid gear shifts while maintaining the characteristics of the sporty V8 engine.
The transmission has four modes and is also fitted with self-adapting control that adjusts the type of gear change to the driving style and road conditions.
In Manual mode, gear changes are sequentially made by the driver via the steering column mounted paddles or the gearstick.
Exhaust
The engine noise is emphasised by the sports exhaust managed by the by-pass valve. Pushing the Sport button opens the pneumatic valves if the car is on the move and the engine above 3000 rpm. This means that the engine can be exploited to the full, giving a rewarding engine sound. This becomes even more pronounced with the hood down.
Chassis
The weight distribution of the Maserati GranCabrio is slightly biased towards the rear with 49% over the front and 51% over the back with the hood up. With the hood down, the front-rear split is 48-52%.
This set up was achieved by positioning the engine behind the front axle and results in true and predictable handling that makes driving easier and renders the car more stable.
The new loadbearing chassis is constructed from a blend of materials with an eye on keeping the weight down. The framework is made from toughened steel apart from the bonnet and front bumper bar, in aluminium, and the boot lid in heat treated plastic that uses Sheet Moulding Compound technology.
The chassis was developed to provide maximum stiffness even without a roof. The result is that the Maserati GranCabrio is able to offer the same driving pleasure as any quality closed-top car.
Suspension
The Maserati GranCabrio is fitted with the electronically controlled Skyhook suspension as standard. This system employs dampers with an aluminium body that continually adjust the damping. This solution means that the set up adapts instantly to the driving style and the road conditions to offer the utmost in on-board comfort.
The Skyhook system acts by using acceleration sensors that detect movement on all four wheels and the body. A control unit processes the data it receives from the sensors, analyses the driving style and road surface and instantly adjusts the dampers accordingly via their proportional valves.
Electronics
The car’s already superb dynamic handling is constantly monitored and optimised by the Maserati Stability Programme (MSP). The MSP kicks in to correct even the hint of a skid by reducing torque. Working with the ABS and EBD, the system stops the wheels locking under braking, distributes the braking between the front and rear axles. It also prevents the wheels spinning on low grip surfaces when accelerating or climbing (ASR and MSR).
Hood
The Maserati GranCabrio’s canvas hood was a technological as well as aesthetic choice. The soft top solution means a lower centre of gravity because the top of the car is lighter. This enhances the car’s dynamic handling.
The hood weighs only 65kg and the materials, mechanism, its operation time and stowage are all top quality. The GranCabrio transforms from a splendid coupé into a cabriolet in just 28 seconds if the car is travelling up to 30 km/h.
Active safety
The dynamic handling of the GranCabrio is assisted by the electronically controlled Maserati Stability Programme (MSP). The technology was developed to optimise the driving dynamics and safety when on the move. The system is supervised by a series of sensors that pick up any unsteadiness to adjust the brakes and engine and provide ideal traction.
The high performance brakes on the GranCabrio were built by Brembo and feature four self-ventilating drilled discs. The 360 mm front brakes make the most of dual-cast disc technology (cast iron for the braking surface and an aluminium hub). This solution, teamed with callipers actioned by six pistons in a single aluminium block, ensure unbeatable stopping power and are highly resistant to fade even under intense use. MSP works in harmony with the ABS to stop the wheels locking under braking, and EBD, to distribute the braking between the front and rear axles.
The Electric Park Brake (EPB) replaces the traditional mechanical handbrake with an electronic control on the central tunnel. The EPB system is engaged automatically when the engine is switched off and is only deactivated when the accelerator pedal is pressed. EPB also plays an important role in terms of safety as, in an emergency, it acts on all four wheels and can be employed with the vehicle in movement, without compromising stability, until the switch is released.
The Brake Assist System (BAS) has been introduced on the Maserati GranCabrio to improve safety. Thanks to a dedicated sensor, BAS recognises panic braking by measuring the speed and pressure at which the brake pedal is depressed and then takes over from the driver to apply the maximum braking force. This shortens the stopping distance in emergency situations.
Passive safety
The Maserati GranCabrio is fitted with new generation airbags, using the intelligent technology first employed on the Maserati Quattroporte S. The passenger side airbag, with its ‘Low Risk Deployment’, adapts the intensity of its inflation in crash situations to the size of the occupant.
New head and chest airbags set in the front seats provide protection from side impacts while seatbelts are equipped with the latest pre-tensioners and load limiters to securely contain all four occupants.
The main introduction in terms of passive safety is the extendable roll over bars set behind the rear seats. The roll bars are hidden by the hood cover and are activated in just 190 milliseconds when needed.
The extendable roll bars were developed to offer occupants the maximum protection both with the hood raised or tucked away. A Maserati copyrighted technical solution allows the roll bars to extend by shattering the rear window without any risk for the occupants.
Top Tips:
- Activate the car's on-board computer to have traffic information read out to you as you drive.
- Adjust the temperature you want by using the integrated climate control system.
