Maserati has taken the GranCabrio convertible to a new level of performance with the new GranCabrio Sport. With more power, a faster gearshift and a distinctively aggressive look, the GranCabrio Sport has given Maserati a harder-edged convertible to sit alongside the GranTurismo S and the Quattroporte Sport GT S as the performance flagships of their respective ranges.

Publically unveiled at this year�s Geneva Motor Show, the GranCabrio Sport combines an upgraded 4.7-litre V8 engine with a 10 horsepower increase to 450 hp and improved fuel economy with the faster MC Auto Shift transmission.

With a 285km-h top speed and a 0-100km/h sprint of just 5.2 seconds, the GranCabrio Sport is brimming with performance and luxury refinements both inside the cabin and underneath its award-winning body panels.

Its six-speed transmission includes a super-fast MC Auto Shift mode and has been developed for the GranCabrio Sport directly from the transmission in the Quattroporte Sport GT S.

The handling has been enhanced for greater speed, too, with an upgrade and revision of the Skyhook active-suspension system and the adoption of a more-responsive brake package.

Visually, the GranCabrio Sport is characterized by a more-pronounced dynamic look. This look begins with the GranCabrio�s distinctive nose and continues with a host of small, perfectly integrated changes throughout the body and the interior.

Exterior Design
Maserati�s design team worked to provide a more-aggressive look that sat in harmony with the GranCabrio�s critically acclaimed styling.

A series of relatively small upgrades in critical areas have created an integrated, dynamic design that immediately differentiates the GranCabrio Sport from the rest of the GranCabrio range and identifies it with both the Quattroporte Sport GT S and the GranTurismo S.

It introduces a new colour, Rosso Trionfale � a classic red that pays tribute to the championship-winning Maserati racing cars of the 1950s. It�s a colour that highlights the GranCabrio Sport�s strong personality, yet maintains its elegant and slim look.

The strong, distinctive GranCabrio grille receives even more character with a new black colour, while the grille�s Maserati Trident receives the red accents that are reserved for the fastest car in each of Maserati�s model ranges. These red accents are also found on the Quattroporte Sport GT S and the GranTurismo S.

The headlights now have a black look with white reflectors*, while front corner splitters and the redesigned side skirts are both body coloured. The Shadow line, with its dark look around the base of the window glass, stresses the dramatic look of the car, strengthening its personality and pointing out the sinous lines of the body.

Besides adding to the aggressive style, the side skirts and the corner splitters were developed in the wind tunnel and add significantly to the car�s aerodynamic efficiency reducing aerodynamic resistance and improving fuel consumption.

The dynamic look is finished with redesigned 20� Astro-design wheels and a pair of menacing, black oval exhaust tips. The wheels each feature three Tridents and create a lighter look to accentuate the higher performance.

(*white reflectors are not available in the US)

Interior Design
The more-aggressive look is carried over inside the open-topped cabin, with a new seat-face design and drilled aluminium pedals.

The GranCabrio Sport introduces changes to the gear-shifting system, with Maserati�s Active Shifting paddles now standard. The paddles, drawn from the Trofeo racing car, are longer than the standard steering column-mounted paddles and make shifting easier in enthusiastic driving.

The GranCabrio Sport debuts two new interior colours in rich leather: Bianco Pregiato and Grigio Chrono. Bianco Pregiato is a more-pure white colour than the existing pearl colour and can be used everywhere except the top of the dashboard. Grigio Chrono is a darker grey, developed to complement the new Rosso Trionfale body colour.

To differentiate it further from the standard GranCabrio, the GranCabrio Sport badge will be positioned on the dashboard in front of the passenger*.

While the front passenger seat matches the driver�s seat by receiving adjustable lumbar support as standard, all four seats incorporate the new M-Design seat stitching**.

This design reflects classical Maserati grille designs and replicates the design in the central seat panel, all crafted with Poltrona Frau�s finest leather.

The Trident-embossed headrests can also be enhanced with customized stitching and customers can choose 13 different colours to contrast the leather of the seat.

(*The badge will be GranTurismo C. Sport on the US version)

(**Not available on the Australian version)


Engine
The GranCabrio Sport uses the latest version of Maserati�s sonorous, all-alloy 4.7-litre V8, taken straight from the high-performance GranTurismo MC Stradale.

This naturally aspirated engine produces 450 horsepower (331kW) at 7000rpm: that is10hp more than the GranCabrio. It is also rich with torque, with a peak of 510Nm (20Nm more than the GranCabrio) arriving at 4750rpm. Eighty percent of its maximum torque is already available at just 2500rpm.

The performance increases are a result of Maserati�s Friction Reduction Program, which has made the GranCabrio Sport�s engine more reactive to the driver�s most-nuanced inputs. This program included a revision of the oil sump�s fluid dynamics and the application of a Diamond-Like Coating to the tappets and the super-finished camshaft lobes.

Besides added power, torque and responsiveness, the Friction Reduction Program has lowered the GranCabrio Sport�s fuel consumption by six percent to a combined total of 14.5 litres/100km.

The new exhaust tips also help the GranCabrio Sport to give a richer engine sound when the bypass valves are activated. The valves are always open in Manual-Sport mode, while they are open above 2500rpm in Auto-Sport mode.

This exhaust system allows Maserati to hit its target of improving the car�s performance and also give its customers access to a new open air musical theatre and a rich sound experience.

However, the valves are closed in Normal mode, giving the driver and passengers a quieter ride.

Transmission
The GranCabrio Sport is the first Maserati to match the upgraded, 450hp version of the 4.7-litre engine with the day-to-day luxury of a fully automatic transmission.

This six-speed transmission includes the super-fast MC Auto Shift mode and has been developed for the GranCabrio Sport directly from the transmission in the Quattroporte Sport GT S.

The MC Auto Shift mode contains a launch-control mode and is active in both Manual Sport and Automatic Sport modes to provide faster gearshift times and to automatically �blip� the throttle during down-shifts.

To operate the MC Start Strategy (launch-control mode), the driver turns off the MSP in Auto Sport mode, then holds the brake pedal while pressing the accelerator. The driver should reach the optimum revs for a fast start (between 2300-2500rpm), and then simultaneously release the brake pedal and press the accelerator pedal completely. This manouvre is only recommended for use on a race track or in closed conditions of complete safety.

Like the Quattroporte Sport GT S, the MC Auto Shift gives the driver even-greater engagement by holding gears in the Manual Sport mode, even when the engine reaches its rev limiter, and introducing a digital in-dash display to indicate the ideal gear-shift timing.

The transmission gives the driver five distinct operating modes: Auto-Normal, Manual-Normal, Auto-Sport, Manual-Sport and Ice.

Chassis and Handling
The handling has received significant attention, with a new, sportier tune of the Skyhook active-suspension system and the adoption of grooved and drilled dual-cast brake discs.

The upgraded �Sport Skyhook� uses acceleration sensors to register wheel and chassis movement. It sends this data to a central processor, which also analyzes the road conditions and the driving style and instantly and precisely regulates the dampers to suit any situation.

With the GranCabrio Sport, the Skyhook system received upgraded management software and dampers to give a sharper focus on handling, grip and balance, while even the springs and anti-roll bars have been upgraded.

Derived from the GranTurismo�s high-strength steel monocoque architecture, the GranCabrio and GranCabrio Sport feature aluminium structural reinforcements beneath the floor for extra rigidity at the cost of only 100kg compared to the GranTurismo S.

Attached to the front of this architecture are aluminium wishbones with forged aluminium hub carriers and struts, aluminium gas dampers and springs, while at the rear adds a radius bar for each wheel to control toe-in.

The changes to the brakes, with grooved, ventilated and drilled discs on all four wheels, have targeted a sporty, responsive and consistent feeling for the driver.

The grooves have been designed to keep the brake pads clean by avoiding dust build-up, which can reduce braking performance, while the drilled holes ensure the uniform wear of the disc and the pads for long-term consistency. This all helps the GranCabrio Sport to stop in just 35 metres from 100km/h.

Optional equipment
The GranCabrio Sport will have the MC Sport Line packages available immediately at its launch, including interior and exterior carbon fibre features. For example it is possible to change the front splitter to carbon-fibre, while the side skirts are also available in black.

The Astro-design, 20-inch wheels are also available in Shiny Anthracite Grey to create a darker, more-menacing look.

It is also possible to change the body-coloured waist line around the cabin from black (Shadow line) to the same Chrome-line that is standard on the GranCabrio.

The Chrome-line can also be fitted to the door handles, the capote mouldings and the exhaust tips.

MY2012 upgrades to GranCabrio
While introducing the GranCabrio Sport, Maserati has also refreshed the detailing of the GranCabrio.

The MY2012 GranCabrio now receives a chromed front grille and side vents, while it also receives adjustable lumbar support for the front passenger as standard equipment.

It has also added the options of a new, anodized matt red brake caliper for the GranCabrio.


GranCabrio Sport Specifications

Body
High-strength steel monocoque, under-body aluminium cross bracing

Layout
Front-mid-engine, rear-drive

Engine
4.7-litre all-alloy V8

Power
450hp (331kW) @ 7000rpm

Torque
510Nm @ 4750rpm

Capacity
4691cc

Bore x stroke
94mm x 84.5mm

Compression ratio
11.25:1

Maximum engine speed
7200rpm

Oil delivery
Wet sump

0-100km/h acceleration
5.2 seconds

Top speed
285km/h

Fuel consumption � Urban
22.5 litres/100km

Fuel consumption � Extra-urban

9.8 litres/100km

Fuel consumption � combined
14.5 litres/100km

CO2 emissions
337 grams/km

Transmission
Six-speed automatic (ZF 6HP26) with MC Auto Shift

Ratios
First: 4.171:1
Second: 2.340:1
Third: 1.521:1
Fourth: 1.143:1
Fifth: 0.867:1
Sixth: 0.691:1
Reverse: 3.403:1
Final Drive: 3.73:1

Differential
Asymmetric limited-slip (25% in traction, 45% in release) with bevel drive

Steering
Engine-speed sensitive power steering, rack-and-pinion.

Turning circle
12.3 metres

Length
4881mm

Width (with mirrors)
2056mm

Width (without mirrors)
1915mm

Height
1353mm

Wheelbase
2942mm

Front track
1586mm

Rear track
1590mm

Front overhang
873mm

Rear overhang
1066mm

Boot/trunk capacity
173 litres

Fuel capacity
75 litres

Dry weight (EU)
1887kg

Kerb weight (EU)
1980kg

Weight distribution (roof closed)
49% front/51% rear

Weight distribution (roof open)
48%/52%

Brakes
360mm front discs, 330mm rear discs

Tyres
245/35 ZR20 (front); 285/35 ZR20 (rear)

| Maserati | Images gallery

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Richard Jenkinson

On the other side of the spectrum, Richard Jenkinson devised 'Edo', a bio-inspired sports motorcycle. Taking cues from Japanese material science and Origami, the ethanol-powered sport bike proves it is possible to design a high-powered vehicle whilst remaining environmentally aware. Aspects of the design that stand out include the rear fan-like creations on the tail that move up and down depending on the speed at which the bike travels. "The wings accentuate the visual impact by extending fully upwards," Jenkinson described, "Exaggerating the design like a sculpture."

Provided by:

Ducati 916 with custom Pipemaster motorcycle exhaust system. Ducati 916 mufflers nicely tucked up under the tail.

CSX Suzuki fitted with custom Pipemasters exhaust system.

	Honda VTR with custom Pipemaster motorcycle exhaust system.

Kawasaki ZX9 with custom motorcycle exhaust.

TRX Yamaha custom motorcycle exhaust.

Friday, 17 December 2010 11:41

Two months after the appointment of Bernhard Gobmeier as BMW Motorrad Motorsport Director, further changes are being made to key positions within the Superbike team. Rainer Bäumel, formerly the team's Technical Director, takes up the newly created post of Head of Race Operations with immediate effect. Stephan Fischer becomes the new Head of Development for BMW Motorrad Motorsport, while Josef Hofmann is appointed Managing Director of the Stephanskirchen factory. All three will respond directly to Gobmaier.

In mid-January, Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport will be bound for Australia. The next winter tests are scheduled for 26th to 28th January in Eastern Creek, before the team behind Troy Corser and Leon Haslam resume testing on Phillip Island on 2nd and 3rd February. Immediately before the season opens there on 27th February, Team BMW Motorrad Motorsport will be able to measure themselves against the other World Championship contenders for the first time at the final official Infront test held at the same track on 21st and 22nd February.

Tuesday, 23 November 2010 17:27

Roberto Rolfo has returned to the Superbike World Championship for the Kawasaki Pedercini team, with whom he will ride the new ZX-10R machine in 2011. The 30 year-old Italian moves to the Pedercini team after one season in the Moto2 GP class where he took one win at Sepang in Malaysia and a third place at Sachsenring in Germany.

Rolfo already has three years' experience in World Superbike. In 2006, he raced with team Ducati SC Caracchi, while in 2007 he joined the Hannspree Honda Ten Kate team and the year after the Hannspree Honda Althea team. In 2009 he started the season with Stiggy Honda team but after only a few races he was replaced by John Hopkins due to the team's economic problems.

Roberto Rolfo :"I'm really very happy to return to the Superbike championship. My three years' experience in this fascinating and competitive championship was unforgettable and I will try my best to improve my preceding results. I immediately established a good feeling with the entire Pedercini family. They are reputable professionals and we are on the same wavelength concerning next year's targets. I decided to leave Moto2 because I'm eager to ride the new Kawasaki ZX10R and take advantage of all its great power. It feels grand to be back in Superbike and I'm determined to put a good season together next year. I'm looking forward to testing the new bike very soon and getting familiar with it while also getting to better know my new team. This will be my very first time on a Kawasaki bike".

Wednesday, 24 November 2010 12:44

The FIM has handed down the updated 2011 WSBK calendar and as was the case in 2010 it features 13 rounds, which will take place at some of the world's most evocative and iconic racetracks.

The season opener takes place at the incomparable seaside circuit of Phillip Island, one of the fastest and most open circuits in the entire world of racing (photo). It, like many others, is an old friend of WSBK racing and it will of course feature as an official pre-season test venue, shortly before race weekend, on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22. Raceday itself will be Sunday, 27 February 2011 - make a note of it now. At Phillip Island World Supersport will also make its only non-European appearance of the year.

Early springtime at Donington Park will echo the very beginnings of WSBK in 1988, with this brilliant motorcycle racing venue all ready to welcome back WSBK racing after a year's absence. March 27 will be raceday, for the first of two races to be held in the UK next year.

April 17 is the day for yet another classic WSBK venue, Assen, while the first of three Italian-based WSBK rounds come along at super-fast Monza, on May 8. The normal European theatre of operations is left behind for a short period after Monza, and the Superbike class alone heads to America and the Miller Motorsports Park this year, for a race on Monday May 30 - on the Memorial Day holiday. Note that there will be no Supersport World Championship round at Miller in 2011, but the programme will see the reintegration of a round of the AMA Superbike Championship.

Two race weekends in a row will be enjoyed in June, the first being the San Marino Round at Misano on June 12 and then a new adventure beckons for the full WSBK travelling circus, the debut of the Motorland Aragon Circuit in Spain on June 19.

The wide corners and chicanes of Brno form round eight on July 10; the even faster layout of Silverstone has its latest taste of WSBK action on July 31. Double the thrills for British fans, and they will have several top riders to cheer on again, as they did in 2010.

August is a race-free month for all WSBK classes, with action reconvening at the historic Nürburgring circuit on September 4. An intense end to the season sees three European rounds, Imola, Magny Cours and Portimao, all coming along within a four-weekend period.

Imola has been reconfirmed on September 25, Magny-Cours in France is the penultimate round of the year on October 2, while instant classic Portimao is again the venue for the final round of the season, on October 16. Portimao will, in fact, bracket the WSBK season neatly, as it hosts the first official test of the year, between 26 and 28 January.

Ten rounds remain in the Superstock classes, as there will be no races for those classes in Donington, and their season gets underway at Assen, on April 17.