Maserati - Four's a charm

The GranCabrio is breathtakingly gorgeous, and even better in the flesh. Photo / Supplied

Maserati has an unenviable task. It must maintain its sales and model range to survive in a dog-eat-dog market - while remaining rare and exclusive.

Basing the GranCabrio on the GranTurismo was logical - but can the elegant result stand up to our roads?

What's new?
Only the obvious. The 4.7-litre V8 is shared with other models, with the same 323kW and 490Nm put to the rear wheels via the same ZF auto transmission, albeit with tweaked software.

The same basic platform has been braced with beefier sills, a torsion wall behind the rear seats that's part of an enclosed roof compartment, and engine bay braces. That offsets the reduced stiffness from the electronically controlled soft-top roof. Weight's up 100kg, though balance remains even - 49:51 per cent front to rear roof up, and 48:52 roof down - thanks largely to the engine's position between the two axles.

The company line
"The No 1 reason Maserati owners choose the brand is exclusivity," says public affairs manager Edward Rowe. "They had grown tired of seeing their badge on vans, trucks and hatches - they wanted a brand that's exclusive to prestige, premium product." And they'll get it - just four GranCabrio are allocated to NZ on top of the eight GranTurismo and Quattroporte sold so far this year.

What we say
The $338,000 GranCabrio is a looker - and even better in the flesh than photos. It's also the longest car in the category, which allows genuine seating for four. But building a quiet roof, a stiff body and that much cabin space within what is effectively a chopped GranTurismo means a compromise - and at 173 litres, the boot is ludicrously tiny. Would your golf clubs fit back there? One bag perhaps, but not two. Which is why Maser sells a set of bespoke luggage that includes straps to cinch it to the rear seat, and a security system that sounds if a hand so much as dips into the cabin.

On the road
Our Gold Coast launch took us on a single-lane ribbon of tarmac winding over a knotted hill, its surface so lumpy that a pothole ripped the sidewall off a Maser tyre just the day before.

The gnarly route underlined that yes, this car certainly is stiff for a four-seat luxury drop-top. But the sport button needs more thought.

As is, it's fine for smooth surfaces where a single button can sharpen engine response, firm suspension and open exhaust baffles to liberate this gloriously knicker-shredding soundtrack.

But here we'd want a two-step approach, with sharper engine response and howling motor along with standard suspenders capable of cushioning the worst our roads can deliver, with the full Monty then delivered at the pilot's whim.

Otherwise? Our drive was brisk rather than straight-to-jail fast, delivered with plentiful sense of occasion and an impressively quiet and refined cabin - roof up, or down.

Why you'll buy one
It looks gorgeous, sounds better, and it's rare.

Why you won't
If you want four seats, you want to carry four bags, too.