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Maserati MC20 Cabrio is a 621-horsepower Italian hair dryer

Winter is officially here, but Maserati is already looking forward to warmer temperatures and more driving-friendly weather. It released the first official photos of the MC20 Cabrio, which is exactly what it sounds like: a convertible version of the recently-launched MC20 coupe. Maserati likes having fun with the camouflage it uses to cover its pre-production prototypes, it notably dedicated an early MC20 test mule to Stirling Moss, and it designed a cloud-themed wrap specifically for the MC20 Cabrio. Unfortunately, whether it features clouds or swirls, the camouflage does an excellent job of hiding key details and the photos ask more questions than they answer. For example, we know that this is a convertible but there's no word yet on whether it will have a power-folding cloth soft top or if it will be fitted with a removable roof panel. Roof aside, the Cabrio looks nearly identical to the coupe, which isn't a bad thing; we think the MC20 is one of the best-looking cars that Maserati has released, and its exterior design will influence other additions to the company's range, including the Grecale crossover. Both the coupe and the convertible are built around the same carbon fiber monocoque, and we're guessing that there won't be major drivetrain differences between the two body styles. Power for the Cabrio will come from a mid-mounted, 3.0-liter V6 that's twin-turbocharged to develop 621 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque. Called Nettuno, it spins the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. More details about the Maserati MC20 Cabrio will emerge in the coming months. Sales should start for the 2023 model year. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Maserati Ghibli 334 Ultima First (and Final) Drive Review: Arrivederci V8

BORMIO, Italy – Maserati has sold more than 100,000 cars with a V8 engine. Its smallest V8s had 3.2 liters of displacement; its biggest were 4.9-liter units. Its first V8 powered the rare, short-lived V8RI race car released in 1935; its final V8s will be built in December 2023 for the Ghibli, Quattroporte and Levante. After that, the curtains come down. Officially, the Italian brand explains its new, 3.0-liter Nettuno V6 (a brilliant engine thatÂ’s twin-turbocharged to 621 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque in the MC20) leaves nothing to be desired in terms of performance. Privately, insiders also cite looming emissions regulations in key markets as a reason for finally hopping on the downsizing train. Will the V8 ever come back? “Never say never,” IÂ’m told, though a return isnÂ’t planned as of this writing. To hell with heritage; the cost of summoning a dark cloud of disapproval from regulators around the world outweighs whatever benefits Maserati would reap by saving the V8 in the name of tradition. ItÂ’s the end of the V8 era, then, and Maserati is commemorating it with two limited-edition models called Ghibli 334 Ultima and Levante V8 Ultima, respectively. The Quattroporte is available with a V8 as well, but a special-edition version of the big sedan isnÂ’t in the pipeline because Maserati wanted to focus on its better-selling models. In both cases, the Italian company has saved the best for last. The Ghibli 334 Ultima stands out with an edition-specific color called Persia Blu, 21-inch Orione wheels, Pirelli P-Zero tires made using a stickier compound, and several carbon fiber bits (such as the door mirror caps) that save about 55 pounds. The Rubino Red “334” logo painted on each fender denotes the new top speed: 334 kilometers per hour, which represents about 207 miles per hour and makes the 334 faster than the Trofeo itÂ’s based on by 5 mph — itÂ’s also the fastest sedan on the market. The previous title holder, BentleyÂ’s Continental Flying Spur, tops out at 333 kph, which also converts to about 207 mph, but Maserati is Italian and uses the metric system to measure its bragging rights. The sedanÂ’s 0-to-62-mph time drops from 4.3 to 3.9 seconds, but the engine remains the same: ItÂ’s the tried-and-true 3.8 rated at 572 horsepower and 538 pound-feet of torque. Inside, the 334 Ultima comes with two-tone Pale Terracotta and black upholstery that echoes some of MaseratiÂ’s classic models without going full-on retro.

Hear the Maserati Alfieri clear its throat at Villa d'Este

We know that Maserati will eventually bring a version of its Alfieri Concept to the road, as a next-generation production model slated to arrive in 2016. Shown at the Concours d'Elegance at Villa d'Este, the Alfieri wowed spectators with its throaty singing voice, releasing a few barks and a very racy idle note. Sadly, we know it won't sound exactly like this when it goes on sale.
See, Maserati is adopting a V6-only plan with the Alfieri, so the 4.7-liter V8 shown in the concept and adopted from the GranTurismo, isn't going to make be available in the production model. That's not to say the production car will sound bad - we've every reason to believe it won't - but that this isn't an accurate representation of what the 2016 Alfieri will sound like.
Take a listen and a look at the video down below, then hop into Comments and let us know what you think.