Paris, 27 September 2012 – “The international spotlight of the Paris Auto Show – where Maserati is introducing the new GranCabrio MC – is the perfect setting to announce the names of the three much awaited future Maserati products, the models that will give Maserati a completely new scope to 50,000 units per year by 2015.
The first of the announced new models is the all-new Maserati Quattroporte, the sports luxury sedan that will continue the 50-year success story begun in 1963, when Maserati created a new segment of the automobile market with the introduction of the first Quattroporte.
The new high-end E segment four-door sedan will be named Ghibli – a name that draws directly from Maserati’s rich and successful tradition.
The car, 48 millimetres longer than the GranCabrio and GranCabrio Sport, is characterised by a front end which is inspired directly by the MC Stradale, adopting a profile designed to optimise the aerodynamic lift and flow. These differ from those on other versions of the GranCabrio due to the increased car length and other aerodynamic elements at the rear end.
Thanks to experience gained in racing and above all to specific analysis of fluid dynamics, the new GranCabrio MC has an aerodynamic lift coefficient (measured at 140 km/h) which is 10% lower at the front and 25% lower at the rear compared to the GranCabrio and GranCabrio Sport.
The bonnet incorporates two generous air outlets at the centre to optimise cooling of the powerful V8, and two more air outlets to cool down the brake discs have also been added to the two front wings.
Initially introduced on the GranTurismo Sport the new headlights, which adopt LEDs for the daytime running light (DRL) function, complete the new look of the GranCabrio MC. Though they maintain the external shape seen on the other three versions in the GranCabrio range, the new headlights adopt the most modern technology, perfectly enhanced with an extremely sporty look thanks to the matt black colour of the structure.
The bi-xenon unit inside the headlight also incorporates Adaptive Light Control, which follows the movement of the steering by up to 15 degrees.
The rear is characterised by the large spoiler, for greater negative lift at high speeds. Inside the spoiler, built into the luggage compartment, is the third brake light. The standard version comes in the same colour as the body and it is also available, within the various car customisation packages, with a carbon finish.
The bumper has been completely redesigned at the bottom to make the new model even sportier and at the same time ensure optimal aerodynamic efficiency. The circular exhausts have been moved to the centre of the bumper and the specific layout of the air ducts, built into the lower part of the bumper, ensure greater streamlining, stabilising the air flow from the underbody.
Finally, the name of the sports luxury SUV that will spring from the Kubang concept is Levante – as in Via Emilia Levante in Bologna, where the Maserati brothers, almost a century ago, dreamt of the company that today still bears their name. Considering that Levante will be marketed in 2014, the year Maserati will celebrate its Centennial, it seems a proper name and, in many ways, a bridge to Maserati’s future.”
Interior
The interior of the GranCabrio MC has received a thorough overhaul with particular attention paid to ergonomics.
The new seats, completely redesigned from both an aesthetic and functional point of view and enhanced with high-quality materials, now ensure the optimum balance of comfort and performance, elegance and functionality. The new structure of both the front and rear seats now incorporates the headrest and is enhanced by an upper, central trim, with a design inspired by the car’s front grille.
Particularly important, especially with convertible cars, is the attention paid to the rear passengers. For this reason, the frame for the front seats, which is also available in a completely carbon-fibre version, has been completely redesigned to ensure 20 mm more legroom for the rear passengers.
Particular attention has been paid to the ergonomic and comfort-related aspects of driving. The seats, with an increased profile to enhance their wrap-around structure and lateral containment, ensure sporty driving while guaranteeing superior comfort, even on very long journeys.
The steering wheel features a new design, with the rim flattened at the top and bottom for greater manoeuvrability, also for sports and high-speed use, without interfering with the driver’s legs.
The rear seats have been redesigned according to the same logic: maximum comfort, maximum passenger restraint in sports driving and ample use of quality materials.
To complete the new, super-sporty look of the new GranCabrio MC, it incorporates the Trofeo-design steering wheel paddles as standard, with increased dimensions as seen on the GranTurismo Sport, and an aluminium pedal unit.
Engine and performance
As with the most sporty GranTurismo in the range (the GranTurismo Sport), the GranCabrio MC also adopts the new 4.7-litre V8 engine, which delivers 338 kW (460 HP) together with substantial torque of 520 Nm at 4,750 rpm.
The pistons, positioned at an angle of 90°, are made of reinforced, hardened aluminium, as is the engine block. The crankshaft, with five-point balancing, is made of high-strength steel.
The timing system, with a system of two chains per bank, features dual variable valve timing.
The new power unit, in combination with the MC Auto Shift transmission, is now able to propel the GranCabrio MC, in closed soft top configuration, to a top speed of 289 km/h with acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds.
