Sportier Maserati GranCabrio previewed

Maserati will launch the more hardcore GranCabrio Sport in Geneva.

The Geneva Motor Show will play host to the rarest of launches - a meaningful new Maserati. Far from a limited edition paintjob special, Maserati's latest show stand launch will be a hardcore version of its beautiful drop top, called the GranCabrio Sport.

Details are scant at the moment, but we do know it will hold onto the 4.7-litre V8 engine used across Maser's range, tuned for more power and sound. A ZF six-speed automatic gearbox acts as bridge between engine and rear wheels.

Maserati says it's "a harder edged model to sit alongside the GranTurismo S and the Quattroporte Sport GT S." Interestingly enough, Maserati also claims the engine is more fuel efficient.

Said gearbox is tuned for quicker shift times and the suspension gets an upgrade - as do the brakes.

Visual changes include a black grille with red accents, black-look headlamps, white front corner splitters and redesigned side skirts. There's a new body colour too, a play on the whole red thing and something to do with Fangio winning an F1 title in a red car.

Published on: February 22, 2011