The improved version of Maserati's second generation GranCabrio luxury sports GT convertible sharpens up its act. 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, here lightly improved. As before, this 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 were sold before the introduction of this MK2 design in 2024, which was updated in 2026 to create the car we consider here. Let's take a closer look.
Driving Experience
With this updated version of the second generation GranCabrio, the engineering changes aren't massive - but are significant. As before, all variants have air suspension and AWD and you choose between an old-school 3.0-litre V6 or the full-electric Folgore version. With the V6, there's still an entry-level 490hp unit, but the uprated Trofeo version you'd probably rather have now puts out 590hp, 40bhp more than before. It's the same but different with the Folgore EV model too. There's still the same tri-motor drivetrain; but its 92.5kWh battery now takes you 316 miles between charges (up from 280 miles before).
Whatever kind of powertrain you decide upon, it'll be quick. The uprated Nettuno 3.0-litre bi turbo V6 in the Trofeo version (as before borrowed from Maserati's MC Pura supercar) doesn't now go any faster, despite it's power uplift, so it still makes 62mph in 3.6s en route to 196mph. But roof-down, toupees will still need to be firmly attached and it sounds so much faster because a new exhaust system adds wider-bore outlets to make it as loud as it can be. With both petrol variants, the 8-speed auto gearbox has been recalibrated for greater responsiveness. And a new 'country' drive mode has been added for use on rougher road surfaces (thanks to the 20mm ride height increase it confers).
As before, both powertrains feature Maserati's '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 is 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.
If you're not familiar with that all-electric Folgore GranCabrio, we'll tell you that it 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. 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.
We mentioned the Folgore model's EV range increase; that's thanks to the addition of a system that disconnects the front motor when it's extra reserves of power aren't required (at highway speeds for instance). Plus the electrical control algorithms have been updated.
Design and Build
The visual changes made as part of this update are modelled on the brand's MCXtrema track car - specifically more aggressive bumpers and vents, a straighter-edged front grille and wider wheels.
Otherwise, it's as you were. Maserati's experience with luxury convertibles goes back to the pre-war days and as you'd want, the GranCabrio remains 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 the grille is traditional, whichever powertrain you select, though the Trofeo has more vents for better breathing.
Inside, there are lots of detail changes, chief amongst them the addition of metal drive selector buttons - a vast improvement on the old plastic ones which looked like they were lifted from a Fiat 500e. There's also now a feature allowing you to switch between drive and reverse using the lovely huge gearshift paddles. Other mid-term updates include a faster, clearer version of the 12.2-inch instrument screen. And the 8.8-inch lower climate display's been updated too.
The steering wheel's new (now alcantara-covered and influenced by the brand's GT2 Stradale track car); and there's a smarter dashboard clock. As before, you get a 12.3-inch central monitor for infotainment features.
A major reason why you'd choose a GranCabrio rather than another big luxury sports convertible is that it's rear seats are actually usable by adults - for short-to-medium distances anyway. The provision of these rear pews 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. It's way down on the 310-litre boot you get with the GranTurismo Coupe. 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 £137,000 for the base 490hp V6 GranCabrio - and around £160,000 for the V6 590hp GranCabrio V6 Trofeo. The good news is that the GranCabrio Folgore all-electric model has somehow become vastly less expensive, priced at around £139,000, over £40,000 less than the pre-facelift model.
Across the line-up, you get plenty of equipment, 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. Residuals may be painful too, despite 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 updated GranCabrio Folgore's claimed driving range is up to 316 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. The updated version of this second generation model faces few direct alternatives - and can vastly undercut the Bentley, Mercedes and Porsche models that some might see as realistic alternatives. And none of those rivals can also be had in full-EV form.
Even aside from the issue of price and drivetrain, 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.
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