- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 4 seats
- Engine
4.7i, 8 cyl.
- Engine Power
338kW, 520Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 14.5L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Auto (DCT)
- Warranty
3 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2013 Maserati GranCabrio MC – Quick drive review
Price: $355,000 plus on-road and dealer costs
The vitals: 4.7-litre V8; 338kW/520Nm; 6-spd automatic; RWD; 14.5L/100km and 337g/km CO2
What is it?
It is the flagship of the Maserati GranCabrio range that mixes some of the high-performance elements from the track-focused MC Stradale coupe into the gorgeous drop-top.
What does it say about me?
That you're not the shy and retiring type and want to share your passion for Italian sports cars with more than one passenger – as well as the rest of the neighbourhood.
What doesn't it say about me?
That I'm too conservative to put up with a Ferrari or that style matters more than outright performance.
Who else is buying it?
Seriously cashed-up executives that have a garage full of other cars. The Maser is probably the fair-weather friend and taken for a drive on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
What colours does it come in?
There's a total of 17 to choose from, and if you've got more dollars than sense Maserati can arrange a custom paint job too.
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If it were a celebrity, who would it be?
Russian president Vladimir Putin; tough, mature, slightly irrational and doesn't mind taking his top off in public.
Why would I buy it?
Because it looks gorgeous with the roof up or down, it seats four adults comfortably and it sounds like a rocket launcher lurks under the bonnet even at slow speeds.
Why wouldn't I buy it?
Because there are much faster, better-handling and more solid feeling high-end sports convertibles for similar money, such as the Mercedes-Benz SL, Audi R8 Spider and Porsche 911 – although none have the space of the GranCabrio.
Best bits?
The racket its engine makes when in Sport mode; it is so glorious and loud that you can hear it from the next suburb. It might annoy the neighbours, but it's also a great built-in security system that ensures anybody who isn't allowed to drive it won't sneak out in the middle of the night.
Worst bits?
The cabin is beautifully crafted with top-shelf materials, but it is starting to show its age in terms of design and lack of features. There's a bit of scuttle shake through the windscreen and kickback through the steering over bumps which indicates its body is a little floppy when pushed hard.
Does it cost too much?
It's a gorgeous car that oozes quality craftsmanship from every facet, but it lacks some of the more modern features and solid on-road dynamics of its rivals. And because it is more of a grand tourer than an outright track weapon, the standard GranCabrio does 95 per cent of the same job.
Will I get a deal?
You can try, but considering there won't be many coming to Australia and the MC Stradale coupe was a sell-out success, Maserati will make it tough.
Will it get me noticed?
This is one car that you can never hide in, so absolutely, positively, without a doubt, yes ... it will get you noticed. Its curvaceous body turns heads on its own, but the noise it makes means even those that can't see it coming will swing around, or duck for cover. And, quite clearly, you are even more exposed with the roof down.
How's the cabin ambience?
It is a pretty special experience to sit in any of the GranCabrio's four figure-hugging pews and be immersed in its supple hand-stitched leather, real carbon fibre and Alcantara (fake suede). That experience is only amplified by the wind in your hair and sun on your scone with the roof down. But, as mentioned previously, the Maserati is starting to show its age a little too.
What's the stereo like?
It fights hard against the exhaust for your aural attention. In fact, the note is that intoxicating that some may never actually turn the stereo on at all. If they do, however, it might look like an old school aftermarket head unit but it a quality system that simply extends the car's sound wave beyond the next suburb. Some of its functions though are a bit fiddly.
Does it go?
Sure does. The naturally-aspirated 4.7-litre V8 spins all the way to 8000rpm with a smooth and linear power delivery and is capable of propelling the GranCabrio MC from 0-100km/h in 4.9sec. It doesn't have the same low-down shove as its more modern, turbo-charged rivals and its six-speed auto, which features a launch control function, isn't as rapid at changing gears. But it doesn't really matter, it sounds fast all the time.
How about stopping?
It has monster brakes and grippy tyres so it has no problem arresting its forward momentum.
How does it cope with bumps?
The MC replaces the adjustable dampers in the standard GranCabrio with a stiffer single-rate set-up that reduces body roll by 10 per cent. Because of that, it automatically feels sharper over small bumps and its low ride height means you need to crawl over speed humps and out of driveways so you don't rub its extended front splitter on the ground.
What about service stations?
Like most Italian supercars, it doesn't mind a drink. But this one, with an average fuel consumption of 14.5L, is bordering on needing some intervention. However, you'll happily put up with its bad habits for its brashness and charm.
Would you buy one?
I love the sound it makes, how gorgeous it looks even standing still and the genuine four-seater space of its cabin, but the standard GranCabrio does near enough the same job for less money. If I was after flat-out, drop-top thrills though, there are better options.
The Spin
"The Maserati GranCabrio MC... offers a glorious Jeckyll and Hyde character."
The Translation
It looks like a supermodel and barks like a mad man.