Maserati Drops The Top On GranCabrio!

Since the Maserati GranTurismo debuted in 2007, we've been twiddling our thumbs waiting for the drop-top version to appear.  Well, twiddle no more Maserati afficianados, for the GranCabrio is here!  And while it isn't exactly the most shocking thing ever (I mean, it's a GranTurismo without a solid roof, what were you expecting?), it's still a convertible Maserati.

A few things worth mentioning about this particular drop-top goddess: unlike most of it's competition, the GranCabrio will use a folding canvas roof, rather than the ever-popular folding hardtop (Merc SL, Cadillac XLR, etc.)  In a break from Maserati tradition, the Spyder's wheelbase remains the same as it's fixed-roof counterpart, which means that it retains it's back seats - however useless they may be.  Previous drop-top Maser's ditched the rears - see the V8 Coupe and the BiTurbo.  Maserati says this is the longest-wheelbase convertible on the market, which Rolls Royce and Bentley might have a thing or two to say about.

To compensate for the added weight of the convertible (top mechanism, additional chassis bracing) Maserati skipped over the base 4.2L V8, and fitted the GranTurismo S's 4.7L V8 as standard to the GranCabrio.  As with the GranTurismo S (and Quattroportes with the 4.7L engine), it produces a healthy 433bhp, and is mated exclusively to Maser's ZF 6-speed automatic transmission.

Other than that, it's business as usual for the Maserati.  The GranCabrio's debut is scheduled for the 2009 Frankfurt Show, so expect to hear a  bit more about it then.