MC HAMMERED

Maserati GranCabrio MC

By Andy Enright

On the right road, on the right day, the Maserati GranCabrio MC might be the one of the most delightfully charismatic road cars money can buy. With 454bhp on tap from its howling 4.7-litre V8 and a more focused suspension set up, it’s probably the most enjoyable way for four people to get a sun tan.

This GranCabrio MC features the sort of go-faster work you wouldn’t really associate with an open-topped car. The engine is a 4.7-litre V8 that cranks out an astonishing 460PS and 520Nm of torque. That’s enough to punt this hefty hunk of automotive real estate to 62mph in just 4.9 seconds and on to a top speed of 179mph. The MC Auto Shift transmission isn’t some lazy slush-box. It includes a launch control mode called MC Start Strategy and a number of manual modes where wheel-mounted paddles can be used. This six-speed ZF has a Manual-Sport mode which allows the driver to hang onto a gear right onto the rev limiter if necessary without the system intervening to change up.

Single-rate dampers are fitted and braking is taken care of by Maserati’s patented Dual Cast system which includes brake discs with aluminium and steel surfaces grabbed by massive Brembo calipers. They’ve got work to do, as despite the sports parts, this is a car that weighs the best part of two tonnes. Maserati has worked to ensure that the GranCabrio MC disguises its weight well through firm body control and has also done well in reducing the sort of scuttle shake that afflicted early GranCabrio models.

The Maserati GranCabrio is one of those cars where the detailing takes precedence over the basic proportioning. At first glance, your eyes tell you that this is one of the most beautiful cars to turn a wheel. It’s a convertible Maserati. Then your rational brain kicks in. It’s huge. The wheelbase is enormous. Isn’t it ever so slightly odd-looking? The thing is, if you’re at the wheel of the GranCabrio MC, onlookers aren’t ever going to lay eyes on it long enough for rational thought to enter their heads. Therefore you can enjoy this car’s elements of practicality while wowing all and sundry with its sheer, well, Maserati-ness.

The MC-specific exterior changes include a front end inspired by the MC Stradale coupe, a bonnet with two air outlets for cooling purposes, brake disc cooling vents, a large rear spoiler, centre exhausts, rear bumper air ducts and some rather lovely 20-inch MC design alloy wheels. The styling changes have an effect too, with Maserati claiming 10 per cent more downforce over the front axles and 25 per cent more at the rear.

There’s something wholly delightful about the fact that Maserati already had a fast four-seat convertible in its range. They even had a go-faster version of their fast four-seat convertible and now they have a go-even-faster model in the shape of this GranCabrio MC. On the face of it, this car makes little in the way of sense. About the only sensible things about it are the fact that the price step up over the GranCabrio Sport isn’t huge and also the fact that rear seat passengers get a better deal than before. Other than that, it’s hedonism all the way.

With Maserati making noises about challenging BMW on certain product fronts, we wondered whether the Italian company might be getting a bit sensible. Here’s all the evidence you need that there’s still plenty of old-school Italian running through the product planning department. Long may that continue.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Maserati GranCabrio MC

PRICE: £111,710

INSURANCE GROUP: 50

CO2 EMISSIONS: 337g/km

PERFORMANCE: 0-62 4.9s / top speed 179mph

FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 19.5mpg

STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Electronic stability control, ABS with brake assist, twin front and side airbags

WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height mm 4881/1915/1350