Only twelve of these limited-edition GranTurismos will be produced in Modena, all for Middle Eastern markets. The same number – twelve – are the world titles which make up the prestigious palmares of the MC12 in the FIA GT International Championship since 2005: two Constructors’ Cups (2005 and 2007), four Drivers’ Titles (Michael Bartels – Andrea Bertolini in 2006, Thomas Biagi in 2007, Michael Bartels – Andrea Bertolini in 2008 and 2009); five Teams’ Titles (from 2005 onwards uninterruptedly with the Vitaphone Racing Team); one Citation Cup in 2007 with gentleman driver Ben Aucott.

Twelve are also the Middle Eastern cities where Maserati is present with a dedicated showroom: each car will feature a plaque with the name of the city to which it is committed.

A limited and numbered edition of the GranTurismo S MC Sport Line, finished in “Matt Bianco Fuji” with eye-catching pearlescent nuances, will be dedicated to the Italian market. Only eleven customers in Italy will be able to sit behind the wheel of this exclusive car.

Designed to enhance the sporty DNA of the Trident, the “MC Sport Line” options, available to Maserati clients worldwide, sum up the experience acquired on the track by the Maserati Corse racing department, whose contribution to the design of the functional components has been invaluable. The world of motor racing also inspired Maserati’s designers when it came to styling, hence the extensive use of carbon fibre.

An Aerodynamic Package is available within the “MC Sport Line” for the GranTurismo range and it includes double front winglets, rear lip spoiler, door sill inserts, black window surrounds, black exhaust pipes and body coloured door handles. Carbon fibre door mirrors and carbon finish door handles are also available as part of the Aerodynamic Package. These modifications, developed in the wind tunnel and tested at various circuits with the Maserati GranTurismo MC race car concept, increase the vertical load (Cz is reduced by 30%), allowing faster cornering and further improved traction coming out of the corner.

Several aesthetic features are available from the MC Sport Line option list, some of which can also be ordered for Quattroporte S and Sport GTS, including gloss black alloy wheels, interior carbon finishing and MC design aluminium racing pedals.

A single rate sports suspension system is available on the Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic, whilst for the GranTurismo S, the highest performing model in the Maserati range, the MC suspension set up can be ordered. This includes lower ride height (by 10mm), stiffer dampers, larger-diameter anti-roll bars which minimise lateral load shifts (roll angle is reduced by 20%). Overall the car’s rigidity is increased by 16% at the front and 32% at the rear.

The “MC Sport Line” suspension is combined with drilled, slotted front and rear disc brakes providing a more predictable and a more immediate braking action, meeting all the expectations of those in search of peak handling. Compared to the standard units, the Sport Line discs are drilled with 4 slots and 16 blind holes around their perimeter: the slots keep the brake pad clean, preventing loss of performance due to material detached by friction, while in case of rain their mechanical action helps to break up the film of water. Blind holes have been added on the inside and outside of the braking surface for more uniform wear of the brake pad and disc surfaces, keeping braking efficiency constant over time.

The Maserati Stability Programme (MSP) has also been re-calibrated for the MC suspension, allowing the driver greater freedom of action.

The open-top GranCabrio is pure Maserati. It is a Maserati in the truest sense, with an unmistakable Pininfarina design, spacious interior, handcrafted details, driving pleasure and high performances. The Maserati GranCabrio touches all five senses in an open-air experience that retains all the typical comfort and performance brio. Like all Maserati’s open-top models, the GranCabrio is a special car intended for true connoisseurs.

The GranCabrio continues in the footsteps of the Maserati tradition in open-top models, and adds to a line-up of models that has made the history of the Modena manufacturer, such as the 1950 A6G Frua Spyder, the 3500GT Vignale Spyder (1960), the Mistral Spyder (1964), the Ghibli Spyder (1968) and the 2001 Spyder, the car Maserati chose for his comeback to the United States.

True to its tradition, the Maserati GranCabrio opens a new chapter, because never before have four-seater top-down models been produced at the Viale Ciro Menotti Maserati factory in Modena. There are four proper seats, so that the rear passengers are not merely supporting actors, but co-stars of the journey.

The Maserati GranCabrio is powered by a 4.7 litre V8 engine paired with the fluid 6-speed automatic transmission. In Sport mode, the V8 gives the driver and passengers the full power of its 323kW, with a thrilling roar that becomes even more exciting with the top down, as it becomes one with its surroundings.

Completely re-engineered

The body of the Maserati GranCabrio has been thoroughly overhauled. Despite the lack of an overhead frame and a wheelbase at the top of its class (2.942mm: longer than its direct competitors) it guarantees the best possible performance in terms of structural rigidity. This enhances the smooth handling, safety and comfort of the car, and fully exploits the powerful, efficient mechanics.

The newly-designed bearing monocoque has been made using materials and technologies designed especially to optimise weight: the bonnet and cross beams are made from aluminium, while the boot is made from SMC (Sheet Molding Compound).

The excellent weight distribution (with higher load at the rear) also facilitates excellent on-the-road dynamics and improved safety, in combination with the vehicle’s control systems. These include, for the first time ever, the Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA), which optimises brake performance both in frequent use and in emergency situations.

The new body took thousands of hours of calculations, testing and development. The result of all this work is a static rigidity at the top of its class (75000 DaN/m/rad) and dynamic torsional frequency of 27.2 Hz.

Particular attention has been paid to developing the aerodynamics, with the creation of a flat aluminium base that not only adds to the overall body’s rigidity but also reduces Cx by 6 points. In this way, for the first time, the convertible version of a car is able to maintain the same aerodynamic performance of the coupe, with a Cx of 0.35.

An all-round experience

Behind the wheel of the Maserati GranCabrio, driving fun combines with comfort and safety in all road conditions. With the longest wheelbase in its segment, the Maserati GranCabrio gives all passengers an extremely comfortable ride even on long journeys. Their safety is enhanced thanks to the extendable roll bars behind the rear seats, which are activated if necessary.

Passenger comfort onboard the Maserati GranCabrio also comes from the perfect integration between the vehicle’s top and its main systems, guaranteeing maximum efficiency and drivability in all conditions. The automatic dual-zone climate control function optimises the conditions inside the car, adjusting the internal temperature and the intensity of ventilation depending on the outside temperature, heat of the sun, and air humidity.

By capitalising on the close collaboration between Maserati engineers and BOSE technicians on the GranTurismo, the GranCabrio has been equipped with a BOSE audio system that adds another dimension to open-air music.

The Maserati GranCabrio is fitted with Skyhook suspension as standard. The braking system uses high performance dual-cast technology, developed in collaboration with Brembo and already successfully employed on the GranTurismo and Quattroporte.

The GranCabrio’s roof is strictly canvas-made, emphasising the link with the Maserati tradition. Aerodynamic, aero-acoustic efficiency and the desire to make the GranCabrio a car suitable for all year driving are the principles which led the Maserati technicians to develop a three-layer canvas hood. Not only does it offer ample opportunities for customisation, but it also adds considerable benefits in terms of on-the-road dynamics, as the car’s centre of gravity is lower. In 28 seconds, passengers can enjoy the thrill of the open-air experience, activating the open/close mechanism even when the car is moving, at speeds of up to 30km/h.

The Maserati GranCabrio will be marketed this coming winter, and experienced by customers the world over from the following spring.

Clients and supporters of the brand can already choose contents and features of their own Maserati GranCabrio, thanks to a completely renewed car configurator (www.configurator.maserati.com/grancabrio/), which is state of the art in terms of image quality and flexibility of usage. The Maserati GranCabrio is also on the web with a dedicated minisite (www.maseratigrancabrio.com).