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Touch the sky

Introducing the Maserati GranCabrio, a cabriolet
Issue: Nov, 2009
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There are few cars that put a smile on the face quite like a Maserati. Less clichéd than a Ferrari, less nouveau riche than a Nissan GTR and less ostentatious than an Aston Martin, the Italian sportscar firm has made a feature of its boutique charm – no matter where you park it, you’re unlikely to see another one at the same social gathering. It’s the ultimate motoring prom dress. And it just got a whole lot easier to get into.

The Maserati GranCabrio is the latest manifestation of its GranTurismo concept, the all-grown-up sportscar trend that has taken nippy two-seaters away from hairdressers and back into affluent adulthood. This cabriolet even has four seats. And, no doubt, room for golf clubs. In the words of the company’s typically self-congratulatory press release, “Maserati’s exclusive take on the need to live exciting experiences as opposed to the mania of owning things just for the sake of it.” Which means they won’t be shifting many in Saudi Arabia.
 
It is a wonderfully luxuriant car. Inside, hand-crafted woods punctuate leather upholstery and chrome detailing, while the canvas hood offers incredible sound insulation – even at the highest speeds. Outisde, the Pininfarina-designed body is all pleasing swoops and coyish curls, with a teeth-baring front end to confirm it will propel you over 280kph. The 4.7-litre engine, moreover, helps shoot the car from zero to 100kph in a roof-ripping 5.4 seconds. 
 
There is a superb blue Maserati GranTurismo currently flitting between the 4th Circle and Sports City roundabout, and one hopes others like it will join its ranks. Amman’s streets need its kind of eye-candied variety.