MC Stradale....without a roof?

[Woody]

So if you fancies an MC Strad, but wanted the wind in your hair, you wish has been granted.... Benny, gotta be your bag, this?

The Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale, despite its harnesses and a lack of rear seats, was never quite the GT3 rival and hardcore flagship it appeared. It was 110kg lighter than the standard car, but it was still hauling 1770kg and remained a viable everyday proposition.



Changes are all below knee levelThe fact Maserati is now launching a GranCabrio MC perhaps underlines its real intentions with the car. Put it this way: you can't imagine a 991 GT3 without a roof, can you?

Maserati says the car is 'inspired and encouraged by the success of the GranTurismo MC Stradale', implying it wasn't originally part of the product plan. To that end, the MC cabriolet appears to have been subjected to a less thorough overhaul than the hard-top car. Maserati outlines a "highly sporty and aggressive look" for the GranCabrio MC, without detailing any mechanical additions.

Generating the appropriate amount of aggression are a front bumper and grille aping the MC Stradale, along with a new rear spoiler and exhaust arrangement. The wheels also appear similar to the flow-formed alloys that saved 5kg on the GranTurismo MC Stradale.



Get me to a boulevard, nowThe MC is expected to be based on the GranCabrio Sport and so will feature that car's 450hp, 4.7-litre V8. With no apparent weight loss over that 1980kg car, expect the GranCabrio MC to match that car's 5.2 second 0-60mph time and 177mph top speed.


http://pistonheads.co.uk/news/default.asp?storyId=26403

 

[Felonious Crud]

Mmmmm.... I like that. Have any of you heard a Stradale? I never have. I know the exhaust is different but I don't know if it sounds different. Would be a noisy delight with the roof down! And thank goodness Maserati has seen sense and remembered to include some back seats this time.

/A

 

[BennyD]

Sorry Woody, no it isn't. I've said all along that, IMO, it's a car without a purpose. You can seat 4 people in comfort but can't carry luggage for 1 as the boot is too small. If you live in the south of France and trawl up and down the front all day with 3 mates and have nowhere to go, then fine. If you want to cross Europe in it and use it like the GT car it really should be, then no. I'll stick to my spyder as you can carry the luggage for the two people it seats, and probably makes more music too!

 

[Andyk]

Nope not for me..Too heavy.................not that much quicker than the already heavy Grancab Sport............

 

[bigbob]

Personally I have a two seater roadster wth only 250PS and it's great. Use it occassionally and keep the Maser for day to day stuff.

 

[Simon]

I hope this isn't the "new" car they are announcing at Paris?

 

[Wattie]

God I like that too. Never really been a fan of white but I reckon that looks the nuts. That new wheel style is great too.

Dodgy boot or not, I could live with that!

Cheers Wattie

 

[lozcb]

Any one know how it compares in performance to F430 spyder , must admit i really like it



regards loz

 

[w5pwr]

Very nice, I like that.......

 

[bigbob]

I hope this isn't the "new" car they are announcing at Paris?

Probably is. The big QP is coming to Detroit and Maserati UK sent an e-mail round dealers a few months back saying that the mid engined GranSport was a pipe dream.

That said there will be the small QP and Kubang through at motor shows in about a year's time so there is plenty of activity.

 

[BennyD]

Any one know how it compares in performance to F430 spyder , must admit i really like it

I reckon an F430 spider would chew it up and spit it out except for looks, comfort and sound.

 

[Andyk]

It would Ian.......But then the Ferrari is a small two seater this is not.....Not sure what its rivals is.....Aston Martin DBS Volante maybe but then the Aston is lots more pennies and much quicker. The Bentley Continental SS drop top maybe.....

Just reading the press release from Maserati they don't call it a Stradale.....They just say its a Grancab MC...........Suppose it would just be odd calling a car that is highly sporty and aggressive look, while maintaining the strengths and characteristics of a true grand tourer, ideal for long journeys a Stradale...Or though Stradale does mean 'for the street'

 

[Felonious Crud]

I love the look of the Grancab, this version even more so, but the tiny boot makes it wholly impractical for me. My old Merc cab (one of the dullest cars I have ever owned, btw) had enough space in the boot to fit a family of four's luggage for a fortnight holiday. The Maser could barely fit a pair of the wife's shoes in. But I still love the look of it and with the roof down the sound must be amazing.

/A

 

[Dhanj]

Must say I love it. Big car with big presence (compared with a F430 Spider which is much shorter surely?). Benny made the comment about not enough luggage for 4 people but I understand that it is a straight 2 seater like the hard top MC Stradale no?
Mind you there probably isn't enough luggage space for 2 either! But who cares!

EDIT: I stand corrected - it is a 4 seater. But 2+2's are never designed to carry 4 people in comfort anywhere long distance - purely for joy rides! And wouldn't you enjoy a ride in the back of one of these with that glorious sound track!

 

[BennyD]

No Dhanj, it's a full four seater, I would love to see it as a two seater with a bigger boot.

 

[Woody]

I cant lie, when I originally posted this, I thought it was a 2 seater, but it seems its essentially a GC with some of the MC Strad makeup.

I think the small boot would be a pain in the 'aris - the GS isnt terrible, but it is limiting.

On looks alone, its a gem. Practicality, less so.