Maserati will take the wraps of a new 285 kmh version of its glamorous GranCabrio at the Geneva International Motor Show next month (1 March 2011) boasting not just more power and torque but also a cut in fuel consumption to go with its aggressive new looks.

Conceived to give the GranCabrio a harder-edged model to sit alongside the GranTurismo S and the Quattroporte Sport GT S, the GranCabrio Sport uses a more powerful and fuel-efficient version of Maserati’s, all-alloy 4.7-litre V8, coupled with the MC Auto Shift variant of its ZF six-speed automatic transmission.

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This naturally aspirated engine produces in this configuration 331 kW (up from 323 kW) and has 510 Nm (up from 490 Nm) at the peak of its rich, thick torque curve. Maserati’s Friction Reduction Program has made the GranCabrio Sport’s engine react more quickly to driver demands and cut fuel consumption by six per cent. The top speed of the GranCabrio Sport is 285 kmh.

The acclaimed super-fast MC Auto Shift software developed for the Quattroporte Sport GTS is fitted to the GranCabrio Sport and provides optimised gearshift response resulting in an even-greater driver engagement.

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The handling has received attention, too, with an upgrade and revision of the Skyhook active-suspension system – now with a more aggressive tuning – and the adoption of ventilated and cross drilled dual-cast brake discs for more powerful braking during sustained high speed use.

Visually, the GranCabrio Sport is distinguished by a more pronounced dynamic look. This look begins at the GranCabrio’s unique nose with a black grille and a Trident with red accents. The headlights now have a black look with white edges, while front corner splitters and the redesigned side skirts are both body coloured. The GranCabrio Sport also debuts a new body colour for Maserati: Rosso Trionfale inspired by the red Italian national colours used on 1950s racing Maseratis. In 1957, Juan Manuel Fangio won his fifth F1 World Title at the wheel of a Maserati 250F in this shade of red.

The GranCabrio Sport will debut in Australia and New Zealand in early 2012, when local prices and specifications will be announced.

ENDS

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