MASERATI HAS DEBUTED the 2010 GranCabrio at the Frankfurt Motor Show, a car that is not only the company’s first 2+2 convertible, but also its most powerful.

Producing 323kW from its 4.7 litre V8 (shared with the GranCabrio’s hardtop sibling, the GranTurismo S) performance is brisk: 100km/h comes up in just 5.7 seconds and the quarter mile is dispatched in 13.2 seconds.

Peak power is developed at 7000rpm, just 200rpm shy of the Ferrari-developed V8’s redline, and peak torque of 490Nm arrives at 4750rpm. Top speed is 280km/h with the roof up - 15km/h slower than the GranTurismo.

The V8 will be paired with a six-speed ZF automatic transmission only, which features a manual mode for drivers that prefer to select their own ratios.

Maserati’s ’skyhook performance suspension system’ is fitted as standard to the GranCabrio, while large Brembo brakes take care of stopping duties for the big drop-top.

Like its hardtop sibling, the GranCabrio was penned by famed design house Pininfarina, notable for its work with Ferrari and Alfa Romeo.

The body utilises aluminium in the bonnet and crossmembers to lower weight and improve rigidity, and the boot is made of lightweight plastic. A flat alloy undertray is bolted beneath the car, and works to lower aerodynamic drag.

To keep weight down and storage space up, the 2010 Maserati GranCabrio features a canvas roof that stows behind the rear seats when not in use and can be raised or lowered in 28 seconds at speeds of up to 30km/h.

The GranCabrio’s climate control system detects whether the roof is up or down, and automatically adjusts ventilation settings to suit.

The GranCabrio is slated to go on sale worldwide in the first half of next year. A launch date for the Australian market has yet to be announced.

GALLERY » 2010 Maserati GranCabrio