Posted on: Sep 24, 2012 | 13,727 reads

Maserati Officially Releases GranCabrio MC

New top-of-the-line convertible Maser released ahead of Paris debut with the more aggressive shape of the GranTurismo MC Stradale, only sans the roof.

Just yesterday we brought you a handful of leaked images of a new top-of-the-line Maserati GranCabrio. What was reported yesterday, however, as the GranCabrio MC Stradale has now been officially released ahead of its debut in Paris as the GranCabrio MC. Topping the GranCabrio line-up (sold in America as the GranTurismo Convertible), the new GranCabrio MC adopts some of the enhancements applied to the European-spec GranTurismo MC Stradale and the US-spec GranTurismo MC.

Maserati Officially Releases GranCabrio MC

more at CarBuzz:
Porsche Carrera GT by Carlex Design Unique of the Week: 1976 Jensen Interceptor Coupe McLaren Denies Honda Rumors

That means a more aggressive, aerodynamically-optimized shape that's 48 millimeters longer than the existing GranCabrio and GranCabrio Sport. The revised front and rear ends reduce lift at speed and keep the car more firmly planted on the road, with a rear wing fitted to the trunk lid with integrated third brake light and available color-keyed to the car's finish or in bare carbon fiber. Since the existing GranCabrio Sport already includes the upgraded 4.7-liter V8 that features in the GranTurismo MC Stradale coupe, we wouldn't expect a power boost.

Neither would we expect the GranCabrio MC to ditch the ZF-sourced 6-speed automatic for the sportier but jerkier 6-speed sequential in the Stradale. Maserati, however, has not released those specifications. It is apparent from the photos, however, that the GranCabrio MC keeps all four seats (like the US-spec GranTurismo MC) instead of ditching the rear ones (like the Euro-spec MC Stradale).