GRANDEST DESIGNS (some text hidden) --NONE--

By Jonathan Crouch

The improved version of Maserati's second generation GranCabrio luxury sports GT convertible sharpens up its act. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 46

Only Maserati still offers a proper four-seat luxury GT sports convertible in the form of this car, the GranCabrio, here lightly improved. As before, this second generation model offers a chance choice of a supercar-derived V6 or a full-EV powertrain. Either way, it's very desirable indeed.

Backgroundword count: 155

The idea of a four-seat luxury GT sports convertible is so appealing you wonder why it hasn't been more widely adopted. Most sports luxury convertibles are either two seat-only or have a couple of rear pews fit only for designer shopping bags. Hence Maserati's approach with the first generation GranCabrio - to provide properly comfortable adult rear seats, for short trips anyway. Before that original GranCabrio arrived back in 2010, the open-topped version of Maserati's GranTurismo coupe, the company's Viale Ciro Menotti factory had never before produced a four-seater convertible, despite a long history of open-topped sportscars stretching all the way back to the A6G Frua Spyder of 1950. But the GranCabrio showed this to be a successful formula and over 40,000 examples of that original model were sold before the introduction of this MK2 design in 2024, which was updated in 2026 to create the car we consider here. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 433

With this updated version of the second generation GranCabrio, the engineering changes aren't massive - but are significant. As before, all variants have air suspension and AWD and you choose between an old-school 3.0-litre V6 or the full-electric Folgore version. With the V6, there's still an entry-level 490hp unit, but the uprated Trofeo version you'd probably rather have now puts out 590hp, 40bhp more than before. It's the same but different with the Folgore EV model too. There's still the same tri-motor drivetrain; but its 92.5kWh battery now takes you 316 miles between charges (up from 280 miles before). Whatever kind of powertrain you decide upon, it'll be quick. The uprated Nettuno 3.0-litre bi turbo V6 in the Trofeo version (as before borrowed from Maserati's MC Pura supercar) doesn't now go any faster, despite it's power uplift, so it still makes 62mph in 3.6s en route to 196mph. But roof-down, toupees will still need to be firmly attached and it sounds so much faster because a new exhaust system adds wider-bore outlets to make it as loud as it can be. With both petrol variants, the 8-speed auto gearbox has been recalibrated for greater responsiveness. And a new 'country' drive mode has been added for use on rougher road surfaces (thanks to the 20mm ride height increase it confers). As before, both powertrains feature Maserati's 'Vehicle Domain Control Module' (VDCM), which adjusts the level of electronic support provided according to the drive mode selected. The main settings are 'GT', 'Sport' and 'Corsa': on the Folgore, the V6 variant's 'Comfort' setting is replaced by 'Max Range'. Maserati's spent ages creating a powertrain sound system that works with these settings. Particularly for the electric version, which delivers a unique soundtrack supposed to be a fusion of electric whirrs coupled with a V8 roar. If you're not familiar with that all-electric Folgore GranCabrio, we'll tell you that it uses three drive motors collectively putting out 761hp. Courtesy of 1,350Nm of torque, 62mph in this EV variant takes 2.8s en route to 180mph. The Folgore needs less chassis stiffening than the Trofeo because its enormous T-shaped 92.5kWh battery adds to the structural stiffness of the car. Inevitably, this EV model is heavier than its petrol counterpart (though not by as much as you might think - around 100kg). Still, you'll feel that through the corners. We mentioned the Folgore model's EV range increase; that's thanks to the addition of a system that disconnects the front motor when it's extra reserves of power aren't required (at highway speeds for instance). Plus the electrical control algorithms have been updated.

To see the full road test text contact us on 0330 0020 227