Maserati powers up for car show

The GranCabrio uses a 4.7-litre V8 from the recently launched MC Stradale version of the coupe. Photo / Supplied

Maserati has created a hardcore version of its graceful GranCabrio for next week's Geneva motor show.

The sport uses the highly tuned 4.7-litre V8 from the recently launched MC Stradale version of the GranTurismo coupe.

This delivers 330kW - an increase of 8kW over the standard GranCabrio.

Although no performance figures have been released, the hike should cut the zero to 100km/h sprint time to less than 5sec.

Shifting gears is a robotised manual transmission which is now positioned on the rear axle for better weight distribution, and allows the driver to swap ratios using paddleshifters.

Handling should be sharper than ever, with more advanced tuning of the Skyhook active suspension
system.

Grooved and drilled dual-cast brake discs also feature.

Marking the sport out from the regular drop-top are black-look headlamps, plus body-coloured front corner splitters and side skirts.

There's no word yet on how much it will cost.