Maserati GranCabrio II – A New Definition of Italian Automotive Excellence? – I ask
When I thought about the first generation of the Maserati GranCabrio, I believed it was one of those cars that had reached the pinnacle of perfection—Italian style, an incredible engine sound, and top-tier luxury. And yet, Maserati has proven that there’s always room for improvement. Here comes the second generation of this iconic convertible—GranCabrio II, combining classic elegance with modern technology.
Three Faces of Power
The GranCabrio II is available in three versions—two gasoline-powered and one fully electric.
GranCabrio (490 HP)
Under the hood of the base GranCabrio lies a 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine delivering 490 HP and 600 Nm of torque. With AWD and an 8-speed automatic transmission, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 302 km/h.
GranCabrio Trofeo (550 HP)
For those craving even more excitement, Maserati offers the Trofeo version. Its Nettuno V6 engine generates 550 HP and 650 Nm of torque. Combined with AWD and a refined suspension, this setup allows it to sprint to 100 km/h in just 3.6 seconds, with a maximum speed of an impressive 316 km/h.
GranCabrio Folgore EV (761 HP)
For fans of modern solutions and/or market demands, Maserati has created a true electric beast. The GranCabrio Folgore utilizes 800V technology and three electric motors producing a combined 761 HP and a staggering 1350 Nm of torque. The result? A breathtaking 0–100 km/h time of just 2.8 seconds. Moreover, its 92.5 kWh battery provides a range of up to 450 km.
Pricing and Competition
The Maserati GranCabrio II comes in three versions—but only two price points. These are, of course, base prices:
- GranCabrio – from €169,600
- GranCabrio Trofeo – from €210,800
- GranCabrio Folgore (EV) – from €210,800
Naturally, with customization and additional features, the price can surpass €250,000.
For comparison
At around €200,000, you can consider the Porsche 911 Cabrio… in its most powerful Carrera 4 GTS version (flat-six, 541 HP, 0–100 km/h in 3.1s, V-max 312 km/h). The base 911 Cabrio starts at €142,000 (flat-six, 394 HP, 4.3s, 291 km/h). However, it isn’t a direct competitor, as it lacks full-size rear seats, something Maserati emphasizes in its marketing.
A four-seater alternative is the Bentley Continental Convertible, but with a starting price of €250,000, you’re only just entering the game.
Another German option is the BMW 8 Series. The M8 Cabrio with a 4.4-liter V8 (600 HP, 0–100 km/h in 3.3s, 250 km/h V-max, or the Competition version with 3.0 R6, 625 HP, 3.2s to 100 km/h) starts at €194,000, while the base 840i version (3.0 R6, 33 HP, 5.2s to 100 km/h, 250 km/h V-max, the only RWD option) starts at €116,000. However, BMW doesn’t offer as much passenger space in the second row, giving Maserati an edge in this area.
For the GranCabrio Folgore (EV), German alternative is a diesel-powered 8 Series (3.0 R6, 340 HP, 4.8s to 100 km/h, 250 km/h V-max, AWD), costing slightly more than the “weakest” 840i at €122,000.
According do Folgore version – here it is worth mentioning the new trend of combining electrification and convertibles: The MG Cyberster immediately comes to mind, although that is a different league in about €75.000 for AWD option.
| Model | HP | 0–100 km/h | Price (from) (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 840i Convertible | 333 | 5.2s | €116,000 |
| BMW 840d Convertible | 340 | 4.8s | €122,000 |
| Porsche 911 Cabrio (Base) | 394 | 4.3s | €142,000 |
| Maserati GranCabrio | 490 | 3.9s | €169,600 |
| BMW M8 Convertible | 600 | 3.3s | €194,000 |
| BMW M8 Competition Convertible | 625 | 3.2s | €194,000+ |
| Porsche 911 Carrera 4 GTS Cabrio | 541 | 3.1s | ~€200,000 |
| Maserati GranCabrio Trofeo | 550 | 3.6s | €210,800 |
| Maserati GranCabrio Folgore (EV) | 761 | 2.8s | €210,800 |
| Bentley Continental Convertible | 550 | 4.1s | €250,000+ |
Luxury and Technology – Is It Really Enough?
The GranCabrio II offers an extensive array of technology and driver-assistance systems, but does this actually enhance the driving pleasure? A 12.2-inch digital cockpit, a 12.3-inch central touchscreen with an additional 8.8-inch panel, and Maserati Intelligent Assistant voice control all sound great, but these features are already standard in today’s luxury cars.
The real question is: Do these enhancements truly elevate the emotional connection behind the wheel? Will they make the GranCabrio II an even better travel companion for both the driver and four passengers? Or is it still a car best enjoyed solo, where the engine’s sound and the wind in your hair matter most? And finally—will all four passengers enjoy the same level of comfort, or does the GranCabrio still primarily favor the driver?
How Will It Perform in the Market?
The GranCabrio II is undoubtedly one of the most intriguing convertibles in recent years. But how will it fare in terms of sales? Will customers embrace the electric version, or will they remain loyal to the classic roar of the Italian V6 (I love that sound!)?
Only time will tell whether Maserati has struck a chord with car enthusiasts. The GranCabrio Folgore will certainly attract a (potentially niche) group of buyers seeking a prestigious EV. However, I’m more curious to see if owners of the first-generation model will be tempted to upgrade—especially to an electric version.
When I first saw the new GranCabrio II lineup, I immediately wondered whether Maserati would introduce a hybrid version between the standard model and the Folgore EV. But after some reflection, I reminded myself that compromise has never really been Maserati’s game.
