Maserati GranCabrio road test

What is it?The convertible version of Maserati’s GranTurismo coupe, on the same long wheelbase and with class-leading room for four. It’s claimed to be as nearly as torsionally stiff and as good to drive as the coupe, too. Technical highlights?There’s nothing especially innovative, but it’s all done well; the engineers have managed to add significant strengthening to the body structure, a powered folding soft top and pop-up rear seat roll-over protection for a weight penalty of just 100kg.  The running gear is the 434bhp 4.7-litre V8, the most potent engine in the range, mated to the excellent six-speed ZF automatic. What’s it like to drive?As good as Maserati claims; accurate steering, responsive, poised handling, fine ride. With the roof up, you really could believe you were driving the coupe. 
The engine isn’t over-endowed with torque but there’s enough, and the noise the V8 makes in ‘Sport’ mode is glorious. Roof down, the heater of our car struggled to keep us warm at less than 10deg c ambient – perhaps the optional £588 wind deflector should be standard. How does it compare?It’s the most spacious of all the proper four-seat convertibles – roof up, rear seat occupants up to 1.73m (5ft 8in) will be happily comfortable. It’s more dynamic and better looking than most of its rivals, too, and looks especially good value compared to the £143k Ferrari California…    Anything else I need to know?It arrives in the UK at the end of April and will cost £95,630, about £6k more than the mechanically identical GranTurismo S. For a more in-depth look into the Maserati GranCabrio, grab a copy of evo 142, on sale Weds March 3 2010.