I tend to race around when I am in Miami, meeting artists, dropping off magazines at different art galleries, attending art fairs and exhibitions, checking out the latest restaurants for future features, stopping by a new venue to make an introduction or meeting friends and colleagues for a drink and bite to eat on a host of editorial errands, if you will, for the magazine. Because I fly to Florida from Connecticut, securing a dependable car upon landing is my first, but not my favorite, priority.
That is until last December when I traded my standard rental ride for a 2024 hot-wheeled Maserati convertible that made me look for even more places to go during my fast-paced week in the sun.
Maserati GranCabrio Trofeo with Tracey Thomas at Eau Palm Beach | Photo by Fred Bollaci
As you might have guessed from my previous articles in Venü, I’ve made Maserati my go-to brand whenever I have the chance. A high-performance, ultra-luxury vehicle with sex appeal no matter the model, Maseratis are intoxicating. They boast a finesse of design and detail that pay rightful tribute to the fashionable Italian blood that courses through their bodies of steel. They are sleek and steady, ruling the road with a confident air and tons of attitude. They roar with speed on the highway, but still purr on busy city streets, demonstrating a flexibility in handling and hotness that definitely fits into my life on the road.
I had the pleasure of driving a 2024 GranCabrio Trofeo around Palm Beach after Miami Art Week/Art Basel for a week of wows I could only dream about. The car commands a sticker price in the $200 K range. With all the bells and whistles I was privy to, the one I drove clocked in above $225 K, not counting all the priceless moments I had sitting behind the wheel.
The GranCabrio Trofeo’s 542-hp twin-turbo engine rockets from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds. It’s computer-limited speed allows you to hit 180 on the open road, but the power is there to go even faster. I did my research before I took the keys, looking forward to the “unparalleled open-air experience” that defines this sporty gem.
Its soft-top canvas roof can open and close in seconds with the touch of a button while driving, which, with Florida’s impromptu rain showers, is an enviable blessing for those of us who prefer to travel with the wind in our hair. But get this. In the event of chilly evening temps or lusty gusts, the top-down standard delights in this convertible car include a heated “scarf,” a.k.a. neck warmer extraordinaire, and a wind stopper.
Boasting the heart of a supercar, with the layout of a sports car, everything you touch inside the car is designed to impart that superstar feeling, with do-it-for-you everything, from automated options you need, to those you didn’t know you needed but now can’t drive without, along with top quality materials and an ease of operation that defies expectations. Of course, the folks at Maserati include your own personal assistant with the Maserati Intelligent Assistant (MIA) multimedia system, the latest infotainment that enhances your every move in the car with personalized touch-screen functions. Add an intuitive dashboard with interactive voice-recognition, a digital clock both with classic and futuristic displays, multi-colored ambient lighting to set the mood, and safety features that are predictive, proactive and protective, and Maserati has raised the bar again with this new model.
Photo courtesy of Maserati
Not to be outdone by its high-tech treats, they designed the interior of the car to impart living room elegance with sophisticated craftsmanship in a small space that feels boundless when topless. The front seats are designed to cradle driver and passenger in hand-stitched, soft-as-butter leather seats luxuriously heated and ventilated as the temperature dictates, and roomy enough to ensure a comfortable short or long-distance ride. The back seats are a tighter fit if you want to stretch your legs while riding in luxury, but since I only carried stacks of magazines with me when I was out and about, no one had to worry about catering to their feet!
Listening to music while I’m out cruising the streets is a must if I am not on the phone. So, while I didn’t exactly blare my favorite tunes as I drove around, the premium Sonus faber 3D sound system, pitch perfect all around, immersed me in a superior listening experience that I felt compelled to share with the lucky people on the streets.
Parking was also a breeze, especially with Maserati’s 360-degree camera systems that give you a great view of what’s around the car. The only hard part was getting out and leaving the car behind as I made the rounds in the places I had to visit.
From the moment I slid behind the wheel to the last drive before reluctantly handing back the keys, the 2024 GranCabrio Trofeo delivered an experience that was nothing short of exhilarating. Every drive felt like an adventure, turning even the most routine errands into unforgettable moments. This Maserati isn’t just a car—it’s a statement of style, power, and sophistication. If you’re in the market for a luxury sports car that seamlessly blends performance with indulgence, I highly recommend taking one for a spin. But be warned—you may never look at driving the same way again.
To learn more about this gem of a car, which, by the way, received the 2025 Editors’ Choice Award for “Luxury Sports Car” by Car and Driver magazine, taking home top honors among some 500 models in 45 different market segments on the road today, visit www.Maserati.com. Or better yet, take a test drive at your local Maserati dealer. But a word of caution. After you do, you might want to make room in your garage for that little weekend sports car you have been dreaming about. Just sayin’… ☐
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