Maserati GranCabrio Trofeo

The latest, V6-powered GranTurismo is now available in open-top form. Is its combination of performance, comfort and style a winning one?

- ADAM TOWLER

HOW APPROPRIATE FOR A CAR THAT includes a variant called 'Folgore' ('Lightning' in Italian) in its line-up that giant forks of the stuff are straddling the road ahead. It's almost as if Maserati has a direct line to the big man upstairs. Then again, giant hailstones are clattering against the fabric roof as well, and then turn to a deluge of water so heavy that to top 15mph feels reckless. Possibly not the environment the Italian firm had in mind when they chose to launch the new GranCabrio Trofeo around the Italian Lakes. Still, if nothing else it's a stern test of the canvas above my head and one that it passes with ease: there are no puddles forming inside, as you would expect of a £169,585 convertible, and it feels as quiet and snug as if I was driving the GranTurismo coupe.

Talking of which, we've been fans of the big Italian coupe since we first drove it last year. So much so that it received an invite to eCoty 2023, where despite finishing in the final spot it still impressed us with its rather unique blend of pace, grace and practicality. The convertible version, in both ICE Trofeo' and EV 'Folgore' forms, was developed alongside the coupe from the beginning, the platform designed to offer the flexibility to support all variants while sharing as much in common as possible, including passing down the same production line. For example, both hard- and soft-top use the same castings at the base of the A-pillar, but the Cabrio's windscreen surround is stronger to withstand roll-over accidents and provide additional bracing.