Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 2dr Car Review - April 2012

The handling of the GranCabrio is very good for a large car, with steering that is accurate and nicely weighted and a minimal amount of body roll while cornering. You will always be aware while driving that it is a big car, and while the ride at speed is comfortable and easy to live with, the firm suspension does mean that the biggest bumps and holes in the road are felt in the cabin. The driving position in the car is very good, and there is plenty of adjustment in the seat and the wheel to suit every driver, and visibility isn't bad at all for a cabriolet.

Engine performance is always going to be a big factor when considering a car like this, and the 4.7 litre engine is able to propel the GranCabrio from 0-62mph in only 5.2 seconds. The top speed of 177mph is also very good although this will probably never be tested unless you're able to take the car to the track. The fabric roof has been tailored to keep a good level of refinement with the roof up, and when the roof is down there is minimal buffeting in the cabin.

The quintessential Maserati grille does look like a gaping mouth, and it is this aggressive style that has helped shape the most recent models produced by the manufacturer. Apart from the bulging bonnet that restrains the beast within, the lines are smooth and streamlined, and the back end has large tail light clusters and two sets of twin exhausts. Inside the cabin there is more leather than you would see in the average furniture store, and it is all very classy, although the number of small buttons on the centre console are a little awkward to use while driving.

The level of equipment included with the GranCabrio is also very good, with alloy wheels complementing the heated power leather seats to make a good looking car. There is also satellite navigation and a CD stereo with a hard drive, which is a nice touch even in a car with such a hefty price tag.

Those people who are looking for a cabriolet that can accommodate four people will certainly want to look at the GranCabrio, as the back seats are genuinely practical to use. However, the boot is very small and may necessitate carrying some luggage in the spacious cabin. Reliability hasn't always been the strongest feature of a Maserati, but they do promise that this is a very simple car with less to break down.

The GranCabrio is a very safe car, and comes with a wide range of airbags to look after the driver and passengers in case of an accident. It also has a number of driving aids that help to keep the car under control and away from any accidents in the first place.

It is the financial side of the package that will worry many buyers, and with a list price of £102,615 there is no doubt that the GranCabrio is aiming for the top end of the market.

Running costs aren't cheap either, with the 4.7 litre petrol engine only able to deliver an average 19.5mpg. The high insurance costs are only to be expected in a car like this, but one plus point is that Maserati cars do hold their value well because of their desirability. The GranCabrio comes with a three year warranty and offers a good roadside assistance package to drivers should anything happen to the car.