Maserati GranCabrio MC, Maserati Levante & Maserati Ghibli: Paris 2012

Maserati has revealed the GranCabrio MC at Paris 2012 and revealed new names joining the current Maserati line-up – Levante & Ghibli.

The GranCabrio MC is, more or less, the open-topped version of the GranTurismo MC Stradale and gets the same powertrain setup, with a 453hp, 4.7 litre V8 with 520NM of torque. But it doesn’t get the automated manual of the  GranTurismo MC and instead gets a more ‘comfortable’ regular auto ‘box.

The auto ‘box and extra weight of the GranCabrio MC conspire to dent the performance a bit with a 0-62mph of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 180mph – 0.4 seconds and 8mph down on the GranTurismo. Still, it’s a swift convertible nonetheless.

Other changes for the MC include stiffer suspension, Brembos, new bumpers, air vents on the bonnet, boot spoiler, twin tailpipes and 20″ alloys, with new sports seats, flat-bottomed steering wheel, flappy paddles and carbon fibre trim for the interior.

Besides the arrival of the GranCabrio MC, Maserati also announced the names for three future models.

The Maserati Quattroporte is being spun off in to two models when the next generation arrives, and the bigger ‘Sports Limousine’ version is to keep the Quattroporte name. But the smaller version – aimed at the BMW M5 – will get the Maserati Ghibli badge (we’re not sure we approve – the Ghibli badge on a saloon car?).

Maserati also revealed that the production version of the Kubang – which we expected to get the Cinqueporte moniker – is going to be the Maserati Levante SUV, named after Via Emilia Levante in Bologna where the Maserati brothers first dreamt up there eponymous car company in 1914.

By Cars UK