The Road Trip: driving alfresco in Maserati’s Grancabrio

THERE’S A CERTAIN romance to a road trip. The daydream is a bit of adventure, the promise of excitement, and endless miles of open road hugged by vast – and photogenic – landscapes. In reality, road trips can become tedious or even agonising if you aren’t driving the right car. That’s why the Italians invented the concept of the gran turismo – a coupe capable and comfortable enough to cruise over long distances at speed, yet also sporty enough to let the driver enjoy all the road’s twists and turns.

The latest entrant to that esteemed category is Maserati’s GranCabrio, a luxurious, sporty convertible designed to devour miles and miles of highway in style. But when rubber meets the road, is it up to the challenge? I went to Italy’s ravishing Lake Maggiore to find out.

The destination

Compared to its celebrity sister, Lake Como, Maggiore is an unsung wonder of the Italian north. A short and scenic two-hour drive from the heart of Milan, the lake and the town of Stresa are a beguiling respite from a grand tour of the Italian cultural centres, or a perfect first stop on a sojourn through the iconic mountain ranges to the north. The view from Stresa is a panoramic dreamscape of the shimmering lake, enhanced by the rising foothills of the Alps.

What I drove

I’d been dying to get behind the wheel of Maserati’s new GranCabrio since I got my first laps in last year’s refresh of its hardtop sibling, the GranTurismo coupe, which is sleek, speedy, elegantly refined, and simply a joy to drive. The convertible, however, promised the same driving experience, heightened by an unobstructed view of the sky and a bit of wind in my hair.

Maserati’s newly launched cabriolet version comes in two flavours. The internal-combustion powered Trofeo offers a 542-horsepower twin-turbo V6 that cranks out 479 lb-ft. of torque. All that juice sends the Trofeo from 0 to 60 in 3.4 seconds, on to 120 mph in 11.4 and a top speed of 196 mph. Quicker still, the all-electric Folgore version can rocket to 60 mph in 2.9 seconds, to 120 mph in just under 9, and offers a top speed of 180 mph. The tri-motor configuration (one in the front and one for each of the rear wheels) creates 818 horsepower and a staggering 996 lb-ft. of torque. With gracefully hewn lines, opulent interiors, and supercar engineering, both versions represent the platonic ideal of a convertible grand tourer.

Starting out from Stresa with the top down in the Folgore, my co-driver and I headed south, weaving in and out of small towns along the lake. The pastel hues of Belgirate, Lesa, and Meina whizzed by before we turned inland. With a bit of space and higher speed limits, I could stretch the Folgore’s legs a bit: Push the throttle hard and you can feel your stomach rise toward your throat. You may not notice your heart skip a beat, but the adrenaline starts to take effect in less time that it takes for the GranCabrio to hit 60 mph.

After some spirited driving, we popped off for some espresso at Relais La Foleia, a pair of restored neoclassic villas that offers guests a secluded hideaway. The two houses face each other across a lily-pad-blanketed pond that could easily have been the setting of an Impressionist masterpiece.

The route

After our coffee stop, we wound our way through Briga Novarese and Gozzano, en route to Lake Orta for lunch at Laqua by the Lake. Multi-Michelin-starred chef Antonino Cannavacciuolo created a feast for us, with a first course of amberjack, bottarga, and fennel, followed by pasta and a yogurt, strawberry, and rhubarb dessert.

After filling our tanks we swapped into the ICE-powered Trofeo. From a cold start, the built-in-house Netuno engine sounded a little cranky. But that’s part of its charm: As the V6 wakes up and the engine temperature builds, the cylinders and turbos begin to sing. Push the power over 5,000 rpm and its song becomes exhilarating.

A drizzle began to fall, and my driving partner and I briefly discussed putting the roof up, not that it would have taken much effort. Via a swipe of the center touchscreen, the top can be raised in 14 seconds and lowered in 16, all at up to 31 mph. But moments later the rain ceased, and we continued on.

Steering is effortless, quick, and accurate. Come into a corner late and the GranCabrio doesn’t mind. There’s a seemingly endless amount of grip. As we flew up a wooded road to the top of Mount Mottarone for a view of the lakes, my co-driver put on Taylor Swift’s Getaway Car. It felt appropriate, though I’m not sure what we were trying to escape other than our eventual return to reality.

The hotel

Another Italian jewel, Boutique Hotel Stresa is an exercise in contemporary luxury, with thoughtful design and lavish appointments. Rooms and suites are grand with cavernous bathrooms and paradisiacal showers, perfect for washing away the road-weary miles.

The on-site restaurant, LeBolle, offers a meticulously crafted Mediterranean-inspired menu. Standouts included branzino with Moroccan lemon, fermented anchovy sauce, and whole roasted eggplant; and calamari stuffed with black couscous, fried tentacles, cashews, and Blu del Moncenisio cheese.

On the third floor, there’s a grand plunge pool with sweeping views. Another level up, the rooftop bar offers a stunning view of the lake and the Borromean Islands – perfect for an aperitif as the fading evening light dances across the water.

What I packed

For the few days I’d be spending in and around Maggiore, I packed mostly early-summer essentials: my favourite pair of shorts for the time behind the wheel, a few polos, white suede loafers (after all, this was Italy), a cashmere sweater to combat chilly nights, and my Peter Millar dark seersucker jacket for dinners. Smart enough for a Michelin-starred tasting but not too posh for a hole-in-the-wall trattoria, it’s quickly become a go-to in my closet.

Not to be missed

If you come to Lake Maggiore, hop a boat for a tour of Isola Madre. The largest of the Borromean Islands, home to the 16th-century Palazzo Borromeo, also features a massive garden with rare trees like the Kashmir cypress and flowering plants including azaleas and rhododendrons, as well as tea and ginkgo biloba that were imported and cultivated over the centuries.

Make a reservation at La Rampolina. The agnolotti filled with roast meats in a butter and sage sauce and topped with a 36-month Parmesan represents the height of Italian decadence. Afterward, the zabaione with berries is almost too much, but in truth there’s always room for dessert and a caffè corretto.

For your consideration

Our cruise of the villages and shores of the Piedmont highlands was a route undeniably made for a Maserati. Yet truth be told, there are few places in the world where the all-wheel drive GranCabrio wouldn’t feel at home.

But better still, it’s an easy car to feel at home in.

Maserati’s head of design, Klaus Busse, explained that he wanted the GranCabrio to be easy to wear, unlike some other Italian rocket ships that wear you. Mission accomplished. Busse and his team have created the automotive equivalent of a dark, tailored Italian seersucker blazer.

And that versatility is the point of a Grand Tourer: You can drive it from Milan to the track for some hot laps, and on to Maggiore for a gastronomical adventure by the lake. Toss the keys to the valet and they will most definitely park the GranCabrio front and center, with the Maserati trident pointing toward passersby – though not all will recognize it, because the GranCabrio doesn’t scream for attention unless you push it to redline; it whispers luxury and performance.

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This story originally appeared on Esquire US.

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