Drop the Top; Top the Rest
The Chic New GranTurismo Convertible

Summer driving just got a whole lot better.  In fact, all driving just got a whole lot better, and good weather just became great.  2010 sees the introduction of the latest superb model in the Maserati range: the GranTurismo Convertible. Following in the footsteps of the ground-breaking GranTurismo, the new Convertible looks set to redefine the market for open-top luxury sports cars, offering both sparkling performance and four full-size seats.

Discover Italian craftsmanship in every handmade detail, every refinement – born of 95 years' unbroken tradition.
Tradition and technical heritage Maserati have always been Maserati hallmarks, and its  cars are recognized worldwide as masterpieces of style. Maserati  has become renowned for elegance and outstanding quality thanks to a continuous search for perfection in every detail, resulting in cars designed to give their owners the unique Maserati experience. This is the tradition that Maserati celebrates in launching the  first four seat open-top car to emerge from the Viale Ciro Menotti complex, the first car with four comfortable seats and without compromising  the unique, exciting handling of all Maserati cars.

Driving and travelling in a Maserati GranTurismo Convertible is a singular sensory experience: the sight, touch, sound and even the aroma of the car stimulate every sense as well as prompting the admiration of anyone who sees it.

Soft top: a decisive stylistic component
To create the GranTurismo Convertible while maintaining the award-winning automotive design of the GranTurismo, the designers at Pininfarina and the engineers at Maserati selected a retractable multilayer soft top, permitting a huge range of color combinations while optimising functionality, space and weight requirements. The complete soft-top system is far lighter than comparable systems, maintaining the excellent low center of gravity of the GranTurismo with the top open or stowed.

A joy to behold both inside and out, the soft top is available in six standard exterior colors (black, blue, burgundy, chocolate, titanium grey and java), complemented headliners available in black, beige and beluga grey.

The durability of the soft top system has been demonstrated in a battery of stringent tests, exposing the roof to the world’s most challenging weather conditions. Five steel and aluminum frames firmly support the roof right up to the impressive top speed of 176 mph. The the triple-layer fabric roof, helps ensure all-season functionality, offering a cozy and quiet ride when up. An integrated, tempered thermal glass rear window is used so the GranTurismo Convertible is a pleasure to drive in all seasons, providing a luxurious environment worthy of a Maserati as well as with the option of al fresco motoring.

Everyday enjoyment: designed for four adults.
The designers of the Maserati GranTurismo Convertible equipped it with seats that deliver peerless comfort and quality. Particular attention was paid to the rear passengers, who will enjoy uncompromised comfort not typically found in open-top carss, but expected in a Maserati.

Rear passengers feel the difference immediately upon entering the car. From the automatic illumination that provides a welcoming light from two cleverly-located courtesy lamps, to the individual rear seats, with large leather-covered surfaces and the same sporting profle as the front seats. This attention to detail extends to standard rear seat ventilation controls and a convenient storage compartment, as well as two full-sized cupholders matching those in the front. The rear seats are enhanced by a relaxed, 22 degree seatback angle, giving occupants an excellent seating position unlike other convertibles. The GranTurismo Convertible's rear passenger compartment is ideally suited to transporting two adults in ideal luxury.

Aerodynamic efficiency
The aerodynamics and styling of the car have been developed in close coordination to help minimize the airflow disturbances normally found in a cabriolet. The aerodynamic coefficient of drag (Cd) has been reduced to a masterful 0.35 with the top up, and 0.39 with top down – exceptional for cars of this type.

Aerodynamic efficiency has been achieved thanks to the special design of the underbody components (including the aluminum structure and engine undertray) and careful design of the top to ensure that it does not unduly compromise airflow, even at high speeds. And, of course, the overall design of the body has been specified to minimize drag and maximize downforce.

Weight distribution
The critical factor which makes the Maserati GranTurismo Convertible so exhilarating to drive, immediately and predictably responsive to every  driver input and eminently enjoyable, is its balanced weight distribution. With the top up, 49% of the car’s weight is carried by the front wheels and 51% by the rear wheels (48% / 52% with the top down) – the ideal layout for handling and control. As with all modern Maseratis this has been achieved by positioning the engine behind the centreline of the front wheels, a crucial factor in transforming everyday driving into a fluid, dynamic and engaging experience.

Body
The GranTurismo Convertible's sublimely styled body is primarily comprised of high-strength steel, with the hood and bumper crafted in  aluminum. The rear deck lid is produced from a thermoset plastic which not only reduces its weight and is more resistant to minor damage than other materials, it also gave the Maserati designers greater freedom in creating its shape.

The new unibody is the result of thousands of hours of computer simulation and an equal amount of testing. The result in terms of handling has to be experienced to be believed. The rigidity of the new frame has set a new industry benchmark by boasting a torsional rigidity frequency of 27.2 Hz which is an indication of how resistant the overall structure is to twisting under load. This level of strength is a key contributor to the very precise handling and extraordinary comfort, and is the basis for the overall dynamic performance of the GranTurismo Convertible.  Nonetheless, the  car is only  221 lbs heavier than its coupe sibling, so that the Maserati GranTurismo Convertible delivers an equally satisfying driving experience, with full performance on tap

Engine
The heart of the GranTurismo Convertible is the most powerful of Maserati’s V8 engines; this version features a displacement of 4.7 liters and power delivery of 433 bhp at 7,000 rpm. The  torque profile is relatively flat, offering a maximum of 361 ft-lb at only 4,750 rpm. The engine cylinder banks are set at an angle of 90° with valve timing actuated by chain-driven dual overhead camshafts per bank with four valves per cylinder.

Maserati Sport Exhaust System
Every great sports car provides aural thrills, especially if it's a convertible. The Maserati GranTurismo Convertible is no exception, with its clever multi-setting exhaust system.  Controlled by integrated pneumatic valves which are closed in normal mode to ensure a discreet sound level, the exhaust tone changes when the Sport button is pressed and to  open the exhaust valves and set a number of other dynamic characteristics, thus enabling the engine to deliver maximum power with a stunning sound which is even more exciting with the top down.

The exhaust valve bypass is controlled so that it only opens at over 3,000 rpm, giving the car two distinct driving personalities: discreet and comfortable at low engine speeds, responsive and powerful at high revs with an unforgettably enjoyable sound.
  
Limited Slip Differential
A standard feature common to all Maserati models is the performance-enhancing Limited Slip Differential. This mechanical system works in harmony with the Maserati Stability Program by providing torque to both rear wheels, maximizing the traction available during acceleration and cornering. Developed and utilized in motorsport, the limited-slip differential is especially effective in transitional handling situations such as powering out of a corner, where optimizing traction and torque is a clear advantage.

The Maserati Limited Slip Differential utilizes specially-designed friction clutch packs, which lock the differential when traction is lost at one of the rear wheels. Torque is delivered to both wheels, helping to maximize traction especially for both performance driving in dry conditions, and in wet and wintry conditions when road adhesion is limited. Without a limited-slip differential, torque follows the path of least resistance, exacerbating the situation when one rear wheel loses traction.  Great cars help the driver remain in control, and Limited Slip Differentials are a hallmark of serious high-performance cars. Ours is a testament to Maserati's dedication to accessible performance and its competition heritage.

Of course, all this technology, all the efforts by the design team and the countless hours of research, development and road testing are just what you would expect from Maserati; and the GranTurismo Convertible is just what you would expect from the iconic Italian marque. Visit your local authorized Maserati dealer to arrange a test drive, and discover for yourself just how good the Maserati GranTurismo Convertible really is.