MASERATI GRANCABRIO 3.0 V6 Trofeo 2dr Auto

Maserati's GranCabrio luxury sports GT convertible comes in two very different forms in second generation guise. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

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

Background

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 sold before the introduction of this MK2 design in 2024. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

Things have changed a lot for Maserati since the launch of the previous generation version of this car. Back then, the ties with Ferrari were still tight - hence that old model's Maranello-developed V8. For this MK2 GranCabrio, the drivetrain options are very different. The old-school choice is the Trofeo, which uses the Nettuno 3.0-litre bi turbo V6 borrowed from Maserati's MC20 supercar, which puts out 550hp and makes 62mph in 3.6s en route to 196mph. Roof down, toupees will need to be firmly attached. Unlike with the GranTurismo coupe, there's no entry-level 490hp Modena model The new alternative to combustion power in this car is the all-electric Folgore version, which 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. There's 280 miles of EV range. 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. All GranCabrio's have 4WD and adaptive air suspension. Both powertrains feature Maserati's latest '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 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.

Design and Build

Maserati's experience with luxury convertibles goes back to the pre-war days and as you'd want, the GranCabrio is a gorgeous-looking thing, roof up or down. The fabric top retracts or erects in 15 seconds at speeds of up to 32mph. The low-set 'cofango' clamshell bonnet is flanked by smoked chrome headlights and there's a traditional grille, whichever powertrain you select, though the Trofeo has more vents for better breathing. Inside, this second generation GranCabrio has moved into a very different age. There's a 12.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a pair of screens in the centre of the fascia, the top 12.3-inch one for infotainment and the lower 8.8-inch panel for comfort features. Disappointingly, the old analogue clock that used to decorate the middle of the dash is gone, replaced by a digital display with interchangeable faces. But Maserati still continues with physical buttons to control the automatic gearbox. Those slightly more spacious rear seats allow space for a couple of adults, but you wouldn't want to be stuck in them for more than short-to-medium-length journey. The provision of such seats explains a near-5-metre body length that's a little longer than the class norm. But it doesn't help with boot capacity, which at a meagre 172-litres is compromised by the hood folding mechanism and a letterbox-shaped aperture. This is much the same as before, which is disappointing because the second generation GranTurismo coupe this cabrio is based on has a much larger 310-litre boot than its predecessor. Go for the GranCabrio Folgore EV and boot capacity falls to just 151-litres, due to space given up to the pair of rear axle motors.

Market and Model

You'll need to allow a budget of around £170,000 for the V6 550hp GranCabrio V6 Trofeo. If you want the GranCabrio Folgore all-electric model, then you're going to need to think in terms of a £185,000 budget. Either way, you get plenty of equipment for that, with features like sumptuous Italian leather upholstery, a digital rear view mirror and a 360-degree surround view camera system. There's also a glorious Sonus faber 3D sound set-up offering 'an all-round sound experience' with two levels of customisation, featuring up to 19 speakers and 3D sound with a thumping output of up to 1,195-watts. Drive assist tech includes adaptive cruise control with lane centring and autonomous emergency braking, which also works when reversing. Alexa integration is built into the central 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, which also includes the brand's voice-activated 'Maserati Intelligent Assistant' and has over-the-air update capability, plus wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring. A configurable head-up display is optional.

Cost of Ownership

With a combustion GranCabrio, you're going to have to pay for your pleasures at the pumps of course. For the V6 Trofeo, you're looking at 26.9-27.1mpg on the combined cycle - good luck with that. And you'll be taxed royally at 236-238g/km of CO2. But all of this is par for the course for a V6 GT luxury Coupe in this segment. And you should cheer up a bit when it comes to considering residuals, which should be very solid indeed given this car's extreme rarity. Of course, if you really cared about efficiency, then you'd opt for the all-electric Folgore version. The 92.5kWh battery (just 83kWh of which is actually usable) can be charged at speeds of up to 270kW, making the GranCabrio in this form one of the fastest-charging EVs on sale. At an appropriately powerful ultra-fast public charger, up to 62 miles of range can be added in just five minutes thanks to the car's 800-volt electrical architecture. The GranCabrio Folgore's claimed driving range is up to 280 miles, though for that you'll need to be easy on the throttle and make plenty of use of the car's four brake regeneration settings, accessed via steering wheel paddle-shifters. You'll also need to engage the Folgore's 'Max Range' drive mode, which limits top speed to 80mph, softens throttle response and restricts climate system output. Folgore owners have access to a charging app loaded with a database of over 335,000 charging points around Europe. Sadly, Maserati plans to ditch combustion engines completely by 2030.

Summary

Many will buy this car simply because it's a Maserati. And because it looks drop-dead gorgeous. The difference though, with this Trident badged-brand in the modern era is that its products also stack up on more sensible grounds. Some will rightly point out that this is a vastly more expensive car than obvious alternatives. But it's also true to say that most actual Maserati buyers wouldn't regard a BMW 8 Series Convertible or even a Mercedes-AMG SL as a 'obvious' rival. These, they would say, are merely cars that you buy if you can't quite afford a GranCabrio. If you can and want the option of carrying two adult rear seat passengers in something still describable as a 'proper sportscar', then it's hard to think of a better choice, though you'll need to take that tiny boot into account before thinking of too much Grand Touring. In the end, there are, it's true, faster and even more exclusive ways of rewarding yourself for a lifetime's toil than this. But none of the other open-topped luxury sportscars you could choose are as practical for rear passengers and many cost a lot more. So while buying a GranCabrio will always be a Grand gesture, it's also one you could justify to yourself. Not that you should have to. To its owner, this car will be beauty and the best. Which'll be all that matters.

Body Glass

Laminated front glass with high thermal and noise insulation

Rain sensor

Heated washer nozzles

Anti pinch sensor for front electric windows

Brakes

Vehicle domain control module (VDCM)

Maserati stability programme (MSP)

Electronic parking brake

Carpets/Rugs

Front and rear floor mats

Chassis/Suspension

Air suspension with electronically variable active damping control system

Double wishbone suspension with semi-virtual steering axis and multilink rear suspension

Communication

Cyber security gateway

Apple car play and Android auto

Maserati connect

TBM (Telematic Box Module) for Connectivity

Wi-Fi hotspot

Voice control system

Driver Aids

Drive mode selector: Comfort mode, GT mode, Sport mode, Corsa mode with launch control

Front and rear parking sensors with rear active braking

Electronic Power Steering (EPS)

Driver Convenience

Start and stop engine function

Wireless charger

Driver Information

Engine emission level default

e-Call (emergency call)

12.3" HD touch screen central display with Maserati Intelligent Assistant (M.I.A) and satelite navigation, Android Automotive OS

Miles Speedometer - Contamiglia

12.3" full TFT digital colour display cluster with onboard computer and driver information

8.8" multifunction comfort display with smart gestures (controls for front/rear climate, seats, headlights, ambient lighting, clock & air suspension)

Connectivity Services (Europe)

Driving Mirrors

Automatic dimming door mirrors

Frameless rear view mirror

Power folding and heated door mirrors

Embellishment Trims

Linear Graphic effect stitching on seats, door panels and dashboard

Engine

Battery 95 Ah

GSR Ready

Entertainment

Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB)

2 USB ports (A and C) and 12v socket in front cabin

2 USB ports (A and C) in rear cabin

Exterior Body Features

Trofeo specific front bumper, rear bumper and diffuser

Lower fascia with carbon fibre inserts

Quad tips exhaust system in chrome finish

Active aerodynamics (Air shutter control)

Registration Plate Holder- Ece

Daylight opening (DLO) moulding in Black

Silver tailpipes

Front grille surround frame, version name, trident logo on C-pillar and Maserati script on boot lid in Twilight

Black side air vent inserts

Body coloured side skirts with carbon fibre inserts

Rear boot

Black door handle inserts

Exterior Lights

Taillamps with high visibility full LED lights

Proximity sensor with welcome lighting

3rd brake light

Automatic headlamp activation with dusk sensor

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Two zone automatic climate control with humidity sensor

Rear seats air ducts

Interior Features

Trident logo embossed on headrests

Two front and two rear cupholders

Power height and reach adjustable steering column

Driver and passenger sunvisors

Dashboard glovebox with valet lock

Leather sport, multifunction, heated steering wheel with Drive mode selector

Aluminium gear shift paddles

Rooflining in Alcantara along with pillars and sun visors

Maserati digital smart clock on dashboard

Interior Lights

Ambient lighting on dashboard, door panels, front storage and front footwells

Safety

Front passenger airbag deactivation

Front seatbelt reminder

Airbag System Cabrio 2 Front and Side Head & Thorax

Airscarf neck warmer

Automated emergency braking with pedestrian cyclist recognition including forward collision warning

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Roll over protection

Seats

Isofix rear child seat attachments with hook covers

Front head restraints

Rear head restraints

Heated front seats

18-way power front sport seats with drivers memory function

Single front passenger seat

2 individual seats in 2nd row

Security

Premium alarm system (perimeter and volumetric sensing, anti-lift device, electronic immobiliser)

Base alarm system

E-latch opening system

2nd key fob

Keyless entry via smartphone

Keyless entry, keyless go and easy entry

Vodafone stolen vehicle recovery with automatic driver recognition and remote inhibition

Wearable key

Transmission

Electronic limited slip differential

ZF-8 speed automatic transmission

Maserati all wheel drive system

Wheels - Spare

Fix and go tyre sealing compound and electric air compressor

Emissions - ICE

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEH: 200

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

HC+NOx: N

Particles: N

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb: 236

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEL: 380

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEH: 385

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEL: 241

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEH: 244

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEL: 198

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEL: 211

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEH: 213

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 238

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 235

Engine and Drive Train

Compression Ratio: 11.0:1

Engine Layout: MID ENGINE NORTH SOUTH

Cylinders: 6

Cylinder Layout: V6

Number of Valves: 24

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 8 SPEED

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TWIN TURBO

Catalytic Convertor: No

CC: 2992

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 82

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 88

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 27.1

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 26.9

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 30

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 30.3

WLTP - MPG - High - TEH: 32.1

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 16.8

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 16.6

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEL: 26.4

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEH: 26.1

WLTP - MPG - High - TEL: 32.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 16.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEH: 8.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 9.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEL: 8.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 10.8

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEL: 10.7

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 9.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 10.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 10.5

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 17

General

Coin Description: V6

Coin Series: Trofeo

Generation Mark: 1

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Badge Engine CC: 3.0

Badge Power: 550

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: N

Based On ID: N

Special Order: 0

Special Edition: 0

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Performance

Engine Torque - RPM: 3000

Engine Torque - NM: 650

0 to 62 mph (secs): 3.6

Top Speed: 196

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 479

Engine Power - RPM: 6500

Engine Torque - MKG: 66.3

Engine Power - BHP: 550

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 405

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Alloys?: No

Wheel Style: PEGASO

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Tyre Size Rear: 295/30 R21

Space Saver?: 0

Tyre Size Front: 265/30 R20

Vehicle Dimensions

Length: 4966

Width: 1957

Wheelbase: 2929

Height (including roof rails): N

Height: 1365

Width (including mirrors): 2113

Weight and Capacities

No. of Seats: 4

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 70

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 172

Max. Roof Load: N

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): N

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.4

Minimum Kerbweight: 1895

Brakes

Fuoriserie lime painted brake callipers

Red painted brake calipers

Black painted brake calipers

Fuoriserie orange painted brake callipers

Anodised red painted brake calipers

Blue brake calipers

Yellow painted brake calipers

Fuoriserie white painted brake callipers

Embellishment Trims

High gloss carbon macrotwill trim

High gloss carbon fibre with copper thread trim for selected interior details

Entertainment

Sonus Faber high premium 1195 W surround system with 19 speakers

Exterior Body Features

Fuoriserie - Matte paint

Wind deflector

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint

Special mica paint

Fuoriserie - Additional metallic paint

Fuoriserie - Additional Matte paint

Model badge removal

Fuoriserie - Quadricoat paint

Fuoriserie - Additional three coat paint

Matte Tricoat paint

Additional Special mica paint

Fuoriserie - Metallic paint

Carbon fibre boot spoiler

Fuoriserie - Solid paint

Additional metallic paint

Special metallic paint

Solid paint

Additional mica paint

Mica paint

Matte paint

Exterior Lights

Full LED Matrix adaptive dark finish headlights,Matrix adaptive high/low beam,static bending light,LED DRL and LED front turn indicators

Hoods

Power Soft Top - Titan

Power Soft Top - Greige

Power Soft Top - Blu Marine

Power Soft Top - Granata

Interior Features

Full grain leather upholstery

Cigarette lighter

Fuoriserie modena leather upholstery

Full grain premium leather upholstery with perforated seat squab, backrest centres + Campidoglio effect stitching, door panels and dashboard

Trident stitching on headrest

Additional full grain premium leather upholstery with perf seat squab, backrest centres + Campidoglio effect stitching, door panels and dashboard

Additional fuoriserie full grain leather upholstery

Packs

Comfort pack with ventilated front seats - Grancabrio

Sport design pack Trofeo - Grancabrio

Tech assistance pack - Grancabrio

Advance driver assistance full pack with adaptive cruise control with stop and go - Grancabrio

Paint - Metallic

Fuoriserie - Metallic paint - Orange zest

Fuoriserie - Metallic paint - Urban green

Fuoriserie - Metallic paint - Blu maserati

Metallic - Grigio Maratea

Fuoriserie - Metallic paint - Blu graphite

Fuoriserie - Metallic paint - Bordeaux Pontevecchio

Fuoriserie - Metallic paint - Rose gold liquid metal

Metallic paint - Bianco Astro

Paint - Mica

Special mica paint - Blu modena

Mica - Blu emozione

Mica paint - Nero Assoluto

Paint - Solid

Fuoriserie - Solid paint - Bianco pastello

Solid - Giallo Modenese

Paint - Special

Special mica paint - Devil orange

Fuoriserie - Quadricoat paint - Blu nobile

Special mica paint - Verde Giada

Matte Tricoat paint - Rame Folgore

Special metallic paint - Night interaction

Fuoriserie Matte paint - Digital aurora

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Nero cometa glossy

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Dark aurora boreale

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Grigio Cangiante

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Rosso GranTurismo

Matte paint - Grigio maratea

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Green jupiter

Fuoriserie - Matte paint - Grigio lamiera

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Azzurro astro glossy

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Galactic orange

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Gold venus

Trim - Leather

Full grain perf premium leather - Tan with perf seat squab, backrest centres + Campidoglio effect stitching, door panels and dashboard

Full grain premium leather - Black with perf seat squab, backrest centres + Campidoglio effect stitching, door panels and dashboard

Leather - Ice with black carpet and black headliner

Fuoriserie full grain leather - Greige with black headlining, carpet, and griege belts

Fuoriserie modena leather - Greige with greige headlining, black carpet and belts

Fuoriserie modena leather - Greige with greige headlining, carpet and belts

Full grain leather - Red with black headlining

Full grain leather - Black with red stitching and grey headlining

Full grain leather - Black with red stitching and black headlining

Full grain leather - Black with yellow stitching and grey headlining

Full grain leather - Black with yellow stitching and black headlining

Full grain leather - Black with grey stitching and black headlining

Wheels - Alloy

Fuoriserie - 20" front / 21" rear Astreo design forged twilight blue wheels with C class tyre

20" front / 21" rear Astreo design wheels with gloss black matt aluminium

20" front / 21" rear Astreo design wheels with gloss black aluminium + C class tyre

20" front / 21" rear Pegaso design full forged wheels with diamond cut black gloss finish

20" front / 21" rear Crio design light alloy wheels with gloss black finish