Maserati granturismo A masterpiece of Pininfarina's design: discover on the official maserati website the sports car that is a blend of innovation and tradition
The new Maserati GranTurismo, styled by Pininfarina, makes its worldwide debut at the Geneva Motorshow.
The Maserati GranTurismo is a muscular and sporty car, that can be enjoyed every day and at the same time is engaging for the driver. Its excellent handling and sportiveness makes it a point of reference in its category. The Maserati GranTurismo is built with particular attention to comfort, choice of materials and details and with enough room for four people, as only Maserati can do.
The new Maserati GranTurismo is a high-performance sports car, exciting to drive with a 4.2 liter V8 engine, delivering 405 HP, and a weight distribution of 49% at the front and 51% at the rear. It is fitted with an automatic gearbox and equipped with an adaptive control system which adjusts the gear-shifting mode to the driving style and the driving conditions.
Maserati's tradition of the Gran Turismo concept dates back to 1947 when the Trident Company, following its clients' demand, unveiled at the Geneva Motorshow its first Gran Turismo, the A6, designed by the great Pinin Farina. It was the first Maserati road car and was produced in 58 units. The car was acclaimed by the automotive press for its advanced technical content and for its avant-garde style solutions.
The new model name - Maserati GranTurismo - is not incidental. Once again, the partnership between Maserati and Pininfarina gives birth to a car that is able to generate emotions and sets itself apart from competitors, due to the technique with which it is built and its unique style.
The new Maserati GranTurismo represents a further step towards the completion of the Trident product range, following the worldwide launch of the Quattroporte Automatic at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit
The engine delivers 405 horsepower at 7,100 rpm and 339 pound-feet of torque at 4,750 rpm. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters for the manual control mode.
All of this power helps this luxury sports car get up to 60 miles per hour in 5.1 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph.
Described as a "muscular and sporty car that can be enjoyed every day," the GranTurismo is fitted with an automatic gearbox and equipped with an adaptive control system which adjusts the gear-shifting mode to the driving style and the driving conditions. It is designed with "particular attention to comfort" and enough room for four people.
Maserati's tradition of the Gran Turismo concept dates back to 1947 when the Trident Company, following its clients' demand, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show its first Gran Turismo, the A6, designed by the great Pininfarina. It was the first Maserati road car and was produced in 58 units.
The interior is truly built with luxury in mind, and comes in an unbelievable 8 million different possible color and trim configurations. The electronically controlled front seats strike a balance between comfort and support needed for spirited driving, and are covered in Poltrona Frau leather upholstery.
The Easy Entry system powers the front seats forward to allow ample space for rear passengers to climb on board and share in the roomy and refined atmosphere.
The cabin has been handcrafted and the care taken in its construction is clear. The finish is clean but exquisitely refined, from the subtle chrome rings that surround the dashboard and steering wheel switches to the Trident logo on the headrests and the Alcantara used on the back of the gearshift paddles.
The standard Bose Surround Sound audio system further improves on-board enjoyment for those looking to take a break from cell phone discussions and city noises. The placement of the eleven speakers was studied intensively in order to adapt them to the cabin's acoustics.
Open the trunk and equal care can be seen in the luggage space that can hold up to two regular-sized golf bags or the exclusive five-piece luggage set created especially for the Maserati GranTurismo by Salvatore Ferragamo.
Pricing starts at $118,000, making the GranTurismo a rival to the BMW M6, Aston Martin Vantage, Mercedes CL-Class, and even more expensive models like the Bentley Continental.
It is a customization programme based on the works on GranTurismo MC Concept. Changes include front and rear carbon-fibre spoilers, carbon fibre mirror housings and door handles, 20 inch wheel rims, carbon fibre interior (steering wheel rim, paddle shifters, instrument panel, dashboard, door panels), stiffer springs, shock absorbers and anti-roll bars with custom Maserati Stability Programme software and 10 mm (0.4 in) lower height than GranTurismo S. The programme was initially offered in GranTurismo S, with the product line expanded to all GranTurismo vehicle and all Maserati vehicles in 2009. Fifteen GranTurismo MC racecars were developed, homologated for the European Cup and National Endurance Series, one of which was taken to be raced by GT motorsport organization Cool Victory in Dubai in January, 2010. [5]
The S version features a 4,691 cc (4.691 L; 286.3 cu in) V8 engine rated 440 PS (324 kW; 434 hp) at 7000 rpm and 490 N·m (360 lb·ft) at 4750 rpm, a robotic 6-speed sequential transmission with Transaxle layout, 47% front and 53% rear weight distribution. The standard suspension set-up is fixed-setting steel dampers, with the Skyhook adaptive suspension available as an option.
The S version with robotized manual was only available in the North American market for 2009 MY, but continues to be available for European customers.
The vehicle was unveiled in 2008 Geneva Motor show. [2]
The vehicle was unveiled in 2007 Geneva Motor Show.[1] The GranTurismo has a drag coefficient of 0.33. The standard version has a 4.2 litre V8 engine with 405 PS (298 kW; 399 hp) and automatic ZF gearbox 6 speed and the larger engine is a 4.7 litre 433 hp V8.[citation needed] The body has been derived from the Maserati Quattroporte V with double wishbone front suspensions and multilink rear suspension.
The Maserati GranTurismo is a grand-touring sports car, selling as much on exclusivity, personal luxury, and performance and competing directly with the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Porsche 911, and Ferrari California. Offered as a coupe or as a convertible, the GranTurismo is also related to the Maserati Quattroporte and the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. For 2007, the Maserati GranTurismo replaced the
The Maserati GranTurismo is a grand-touring sports car, selling as much on exclusivity, personal luxury, and performance and competing directly with the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Porsche 911, and Ferrari California. Offered as a coupe or as a convertible, the GranTurismo is also related to the Maserati Quattroporte and the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.
For 2007, the Maserati GranTurismo replaced the Maserati Coupé, and it offers as much performance as its predecessor with more refinement. You can see the close resemblance between the GranTurismo coupe and the Quattroporte sedan, but any similarities end there; the GranTurismo has an attractive sports-coupe silhouette, in a design that you might expect of an Italian exotic. Up close, the low front end and the flared rear fenders in particular make its profile a thing of beauty, particularly in convertible form.
A 405-horsepower, 4.2-liter V-8 had been standard on the GranTurismo, and GranTurismo S models used to get a 433-hp, 4.7-liter version. For the 2012 model year, the 4.2-liter V-8 has been discontinued, and all GranTurismo models now have a 4.7-liter V-8, with base cars rated at 433 hp and GranTurismo S models, at 444 hp. Maserati estimates the standard car can get to 60 mph in less than 5.0 seconds and to a top speed of more than 177 mph, while the GranTurismo S models can takes just 4.8 seconds or less to hit 60 mph, and can reach up to 185 mph. A GranTurismo MC edition inspired by Maserati's racing efforts sports 20-inch wheels and dark metallic trim as well as the newly uprated engine.
In both cases, the engine lives up to its Ferrari pedigree, emitting a low rumble at idle and a tuneful wail under full acceleration. All GranTurismos have a six-speed ZF automatic transmission, including excellent column-mounted steering-wheel paddles for shifting. The setup works well, with the transmission shifting quickly and decisively. Some previous models came with the Duo-Select automated manual gearbox, which we recommend you avoid due to exceptionally rough shifts during leisurely driving. Overall, with quick-ratio steering and a Skyhook air suspension with Sport mode, plus excellent brakes with a pedal feel right on par with other exotics, the GranTurismo manages to feel surprisingly nimble, considering that it's heavier than most other rival coupes. The Sport models have their own sport suspension settings, offering an even firmer ride.
The Maserati GranTurismo feels snug, because of its quite narrow footwells and tight sport seats, but it's also warm and inviting thanks to soft leather and excellent trims. There are back seats in the GranTurismo, but they're mostly for small adults and children, though they look enticing enough to try. The front seats enough space for taller adults, and trunk space should be just enough for a weekend trip. Maserati sells most of its GranTurismo and Quattroporte models by order, with a long list of customization options, interior trims, and luxury features, including a navigation system by Magneti Marelli, "trident" logo stitching on the seats, and carbon-fiber trim for the MC edition.
For those enamored of the Maserati GranTurismo, there's a steady progression of increasingly aggressive models to choose from. There's the base GranTurismo, with its 4.2-liter, 400-horsepower V8, then the GranTurismo S with a larger, more powerful 4.7-liter, 434hp V8, and finally the MC Stradale (as it's called in Europe, slightly less hardcore here as the GranTurismo MC) that packs a yet more prodigious 444hp into a more track-focused chassis. (Don't even get us started on the spectrum of convertible models.) But there will always be those for whom even the most extreme factory-prepared performance model will never be enough. And for such individuals, there's Novitec.
The tuning house is long known for tweaking Alfa Romeos, and through its Novitec Rosso division, the very best that Ferrari has to offer, too. But back in '09, they launched Novitec Tridente to deal specifically with Maseratis. And this is its latest project.
Starting with the MC Stradale, Novitec Tridente has dropped the suspension, mounted 22-inch alloys with a thin coating of Pirelli P Zero rubber, and – most crucially – superchaged and intercooled the engine (along with remapped management) up to 646 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, fed by a big air scoop in the hood. That drops the 0-62 time to 3.9 seconds, and increases the top speed to an autostrada-crunching 190 miles per hour. Extensive interior accoutrements can also be added to the package that starts at €23,900 ($32k). You can see the results in full in the high-res image gallery, and the video and press release after the jump.
Searching for the most stylish new car of 2007? Then look no further than Italy. The country has already given us Fiat's fresh 500, but at the other end of the market, Maserati designers have penned a supercar that's just as much of a visual delight.
Maserati's GranTurismo is without doubt one of the most beautiful offerings ever to leave the firm's factory gates. Every line and detail has been crafted out of real passion, resulting in a shape that's totally unforgettable.
When the Maserati was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, what turned most heads, apart from the stunning design, was its size. Measuring 4,881mm in length, the new model is 500mm longer than the firm's old Coupé, and only 184mm shorter than Mercedes' CL.
This has allowed stylists to be creative with the bodywork, and also made the Maserati surprisingly spacious inside. Slide into the leather- lined cabin and the high transmission tunnel makes you fully aware that you are in a true supercar, but the two-door is far from cramped.
There's easily enough room for two adults in the back, which makes the GranTurismo a more practical prop-osition than Porsche's 911. Headroom is tight, but against that, the seats are beautifully trimmed. However, some of the switchgear is disappointingly plasticky to look at and touch.
Yet there's a real sense of occasion when you get behind the wheel. The V8 powerplant bursts into life like a race engine, before hushing to a quiet idle. Pull the conventional gear selector into drive, and the drama begins.
Engineers have squeezed 399bhp out of the 4.2-litre unit. With peak power not arriving until 7,100rpm, and maximum 460Nm torque coming in at 4,750rpm, this is no lazy cruiser. At almost any speed, the thunderous acceleration on tap is impressive. The sprint from 0-62mph takes 5.2 seconds, and the Maserati easily has more than enough pace to match all but the most extreme AMG-tuned Mercedes.
In keeping with its grand touring ethos, the GranTurismo is only available with an automatic transmission. Drivers who want to take manual control can do so via the steering wheel paddleshifters, but the gearbox works best when left to its own devices.
If you need to make the shifts a bit quicker, then there's a Sport button, which also increases the responsiveness of the accelerator and adjusts the Maserati Stability Program.
However, the two-door can't quite match the breadth of abilities offered by some rivals. Over longer distances, the taut set-up makes the coupé feel a little unrefined, but pays dividends when you turn off on to a twisty road.
Despite its size, the four-seater has superb agility. The rear-wheel-drive chassis never feels short of grip, and it turns into bends with sports car-like precision. It's only the speed-sensitive power-steering which lacks the accuracy and feedback of a Porsche, and is vague around the straight ahead.
Ride and handling can be improved even further by electronically variable active damping, which costs an extra £1,721. And that's on top of the hefty £78,500 list price. Indeed, it's not at all hard to make your Maserati even more expensive. Highlights from the options list include 20-inch Birdcage design alloy wheels, costing £3,079, and pearlescent paint at £4,583.
No one could pretend that this car's a bargain, but the lucky few who can afford a GranTurismo will hold the keys to a truly special Italian beauty.
The Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale was introduced at last year's Paris Motor Show as a lighter and more hardcore alternative to the standard model. However, the Italian firm left the Ferrari-sourced 4.7-liter V8 largely intact as it gained a mere 10HP over the S model producing 450-horses and 510 Nm (376 lb ft) of torque.
Famed German tuning house Novitec and its Tridente division, which specializes on Maserati models, decided to step in and offer owners of the GT MC Stradale an upgrade package that focuses on the performance aspect.
Novitec Tridente fits a new supercharger along with a water-to-air intercooler, custom injectors, larger manifolds and a reprogrammed ECU to the coupe's 4.7-liter V8. As a result, output is bumped to a hefty 646-horses and 624Nm (460 lb-ft).
These upgrades allow the GranTurismo MC Stradale to make the run to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3.9 seconds, and to 200km/h (124mph) in 14 seconds.
Other performance modifications include a lower suspension kit, a sport exhaust system with huge tail pipes, and a set of new alloy wheels size 21-in. up front and 22-in. at the back wrapped around chunky high-performance Pirelli tires.
The entire conversion will set you back €23,900 or about US$31,500 at the current exchange rates.
It's beautiful to look at, stunning to listen to and anointed by Maserati's racing squad. But is the new Maserati GranTurismo MC a true driver's car, or just the latest motoring accessory to tempt the Palm Beach set? Let's find out.
Disclaimer: Maserati wanted us to drive the 2012 GranTurismo MC so badly, they flew me to San Diego, boarded me for a day in a resort hotel the size of Cape Cod, and bought me a blueberry pie. An angry woman by the name of Irene was awaiting my return to New York.
Even if you've been in car-nerd lockstep with Maserati's GranTurismo derivatives, you can't be faulted for a bit of confusion. In Europe, the latest GT version is the GranTurismo MC Stradale, whose added horsepower, automated manual gearbox, carbon-ceramic brakes, racing buckets and nonexistent rear seating suggests a GranTurismo S dressed for a night out hustling races for cash.
That car won't be coming to the U.S. Instead, we're getting the GranTurismo MC, positioned as an edgier version of the GranTurismo S for buyers seeking more driver engagement. It's similar to the Stradale, but with fewer track-day airs. The U.S.-bound MC has two, decent-sized rear seats, a mild-mannered ZF automatic transmission standing in for the F1 box and a couple-hundred pounds of extra weight over the Stradale. Sounds like the Europeans got the fillet again, and we're stuck with another boiled eye-round roast? Close, but not exactly.
Maserati reps explain the dueling versions thusly: European buyers tend to garage their Maseratis in advance of the weekend's recreational flogging sessions, but Americans want to drive their Maseratis during the week. So, for a buyer in LA or New York, the F1 box might be too finicky in commuter traffic, while the Stradale's racing harness would likely crease their bespoke power suits. Unacceptable.
Still, both cars have gotten similar tweaks on the nose by the Maserati Corse racing program. In the MC's case, the modifications largely involve aerodynamics. Those include a new, hand-formed hood with air intakes, a new front bumper and splitter combo, new fenders with air outlets, new side skirts, a new rear bumper and a larger rear lip spoiler. The result is 25% more downforce at the front and 50% more at the rear, at 125 mph.
On a recent test day, I only drove the MC, and so I can't speak for the Stradale. I can state without perjury that the MC is the automotive equivalent of a pleasuredome.
Pleasure center number one: the engine. If you must rev all the way to five grand to wring out any meaningful shove, you might as well be revving Maserati's 4.7-liter V8. What else sounds as majestic as a Maserati V8 above 3,000 rpm? Not much. A chorus of angels performing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" through speakers made from maplewood-smoked bacon, perhaps. But only with a scotch buzz on and if Freddy Mercury was singing contralto. Otherwise, the V8 wins, no question.
Ripping through San Diego's Anza-Borrego Desert State Park with the new, lighter-weight sport exhaust's bypass valve wide open, the MC's V8 paints an aural picture suggesting curvy actresses and sweeping Italian cinematography. The breathtaking barks and crackles of unspent fuel detonating off-throttle echo through the canyons like primal hints of the earth being born. Think of the most arousing engine you've ever heard, and then imagine what it might sound like sprinkled with angel dust –- the actual dust of angels, that is, not the drug that makes grandfather clocks curse at you in Portuguese.
In manual sport mode the bypass valve flaps open, feeding V8 music into the cabin. In auto sport mode, the valve opens at 3,000 rpm, and in normal mode it clamps shut, the result of which is like listening to a concert with your ear pressed against the stage door.
Sure it's pretty to the ears, but with 444 hp (+11 over the GT S) and 376 lb-ft (+15) pushing 4,145 pounds, it also keeps us safe from neck injury. Still, the MC's 0-60 time is well under five seconds, so we're also not talking Coupe De Ville numbers, either.
The ZF automatic is mounted at the engine instead of at the rear like the Stradale's AMT box. The location difference means the front/rear balance shifts by one percent – in the MC, it's 49%/51%. The box is overlaid with Maserati's MC-Shift software, which blips the throttle on downshifts – something the Italians call a "doppietta" (a cute, little double shift, I guess) – and in manual sport mode, it holds gears even at the rev limiter. It's not a terrible way to shift gears, if you're also busy rehearsing closing arguments that'll, with any luck, acquit your client from banking-fraud charges. If you're looking to reduce a canyon highway to tears, it's just too remote. This is another of those times you need to tell yourself, "Easy boy, this is a GT. The Ferrari dealership is that way."
And that sentiment rolls on through the cornering process. No doubt, this is a big, heavy car with the same appreciation for abrupt changes in direction as a Jacuzzi tub full of risk-management lawyers. The ideal way to drive the GT MC is to assume it's even bigger than it is, making an advantage of its lenient body control. Plan ahead, and keep it at as steady a state as possible – brake hard, turn in confidently, then get right back on the throttle, leaning on the super-sticky Pirelli P-Zero Corsas to guide the car back to center — in fluid, unbroken chains of hands-and-feet. A racecar for the street, this isn't, nor purports to be. The car I drove had the standard, one-setting dampers, whose single-mindedness is refreshing in the age of complex, adaptable luxury-car running gear. Maserati's Skyhook adaptable system is optional.
And then you settle back again, lolling in comfort, listening to the resonant V8 as it wails and burbles its way to an automotive Grammy award.
Let's be real. From a form-follows-function point of view, there are no grounds for applying racing pretense to a 4,000-pound Italian cruiser. The MC is a beautiful GT car, whose capabilities are spot on for sensory gratification, but not so much for Nürburgring lap times. And that's fine, even welcome in this era of constant numbers-watching. Anyway, it's not like Maserati's trying to pull a fast one, even at $143,850.
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Maserati granturismo
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It's beautiful to look at, stunning to listen to and anointed by Maserati's racing squad. But is the new Maserati granturismo
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| Maserati granturismo |
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| Maserati granturismo |
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| Maserati granturismo |
The new Maserati GranTurismo, styled by Pininfarina, makes its worldwide debut at the Geneva Motorshow.
The Maserati GranTurismo is a muscular and sporty car, that can be enjoyed every day and at the same time is engaging for the driver. Its excellent handling and sportiveness makes it a point of reference in its category. The Maserati GranTurismo is built with particular attention to comfort, choice of materials and details and with enough room for four people, as only Maserati can do.
The new Maserati GranTurismo is a high-performance sports car, exciting to drive with a 4.2 liter V8 engine, delivering 405 HP, and a weight distribution of 49% at the front and 51% at the rear. It is fitted with an automatic gearbox and equipped with an adaptive control system which adjusts the gear-shifting mode to the driving style and the driving conditions.
Maserati's tradition of the Gran Turismo concept dates back to 1947 when the Trident Company, following its clients' demand, unveiled at the Geneva Motorshow its first Gran Turismo, the A6, designed by the great Pinin Farina. It was the first Maserati road car and was produced in 58 units. The car was acclaimed by the automotive press for its advanced technical content and for its avant-garde style solutions.
The new model name - Maserati GranTurismo - is not incidental. Once again, the partnership between Maserati and Pininfarina gives birth to a car that is able to generate emotions and sets itself apart from competitors, due to the technique with which it is built and its unique style.
The new Maserati GranTurismo represents a further step towards the completion of the Trident product range, following the worldwide launch of the Quattroporte Automatic at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit
The engine delivers 405 horsepower at 7,100 rpm and 339 pound-feet of torque at 4,750 rpm. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic with paddle shifters for the manual control mode.
All of this power helps this luxury sports car get up to 60 miles per hour in 5.1 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph.
Described as a "muscular and sporty car that can be enjoyed every day," the GranTurismo is fitted with an automatic gearbox and equipped with an adaptive control system which adjusts the gear-shifting mode to the driving style and the driving conditions. It is designed with "particular attention to comfort" and enough room for four people.
Maserati's tradition of the Gran Turismo concept dates back to 1947 when the Trident Company, following its clients' demand, unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show its first Gran Turismo, the A6, designed by the great Pininfarina. It was the first Maserati road car and was produced in 58 units.
The interior is truly built with luxury in mind, and comes in an unbelievable 8 million different possible color and trim configurations. The electronically controlled front seats strike a balance between comfort and support needed for spirited driving, and are covered in Poltrona Frau leather upholstery.
The Easy Entry system powers the front seats forward to allow ample space for rear passengers to climb on board and share in the roomy and refined atmosphere.
The cabin has been handcrafted and the care taken in its construction is clear. The finish is clean but exquisitely refined, from the subtle chrome rings that surround the dashboard and steering wheel switches to the Trident logo on the headrests and the Alcantara used on the back of the gearshift paddles.
The standard Bose Surround Sound audio system further improves on-board enjoyment for those looking to take a break from cell phone discussions and city noises. The placement of the eleven speakers was studied intensively in order to adapt them to the cabin's acoustics.
Open the trunk and equal care can be seen in the luggage space that can hold up to two regular-sized golf bags or the exclusive five-piece luggage set created especially for the Maserati GranTurismo by Salvatore Ferragamo.
Pricing starts at $118,000, making the GranTurismo a rival to the BMW M6, Aston Martin Vantage, Mercedes CL-Class, and even more expensive models like the Bentley Continental.
It is a customization programme based on the works on GranTurismo MC Concept. Changes include front and rear carbon-fibre spoilers, carbon fibre mirror housings and door handles, 20 inch wheel rims, carbon fibre interior (steering wheel rim, paddle shifters, instrument panel, dashboard, door panels), stiffer springs, shock absorbers and anti-roll bars with custom Maserati Stability Programme software and 10 mm (0.4 in) lower height than GranTurismo S. The programme was initially offered in GranTurismo S, with the product line expanded to all GranTurismo vehicle and all Maserati vehicles in 2009. Fifteen GranTurismo MC racecars were developed, homologated for the European Cup and National Endurance Series, one of which was taken to be raced by GT motorsport organization Cool Victory in Dubai in January, 2010. [5]
The S version features a 4,691 cc (4.691 L; 286.3 cu in) V8 engine rated 440 PS (324 kW; 434 hp) at 7000 rpm and 490 N·m (360 lb·ft) at 4750 rpm, a robotic 6-speed sequential transmission with Transaxle layout, 47% front and 53% rear weight distribution. The standard suspension set-up is fixed-setting steel dampers, with the Skyhook adaptive suspension available as an option.
The S version with robotized manual was only available in the North American market for 2009 MY, but continues to be available for European customers.
The vehicle was unveiled in 2008 Geneva Motor show. [2]
The vehicle was unveiled in 2007 Geneva Motor Show.[1] The GranTurismo has a drag coefficient of 0.33. The standard version has a 4.2 litre V8 engine with 405 PS (298 kW; 399 hp) and automatic ZF gearbox 6 speed and the larger engine is a 4.7 litre 433 hp V8.[citation needed] The body has been derived from the Maserati Quattroporte V with double wishbone front suspensions and multilink rear suspension.
The Maserati GranTurismo is a grand-touring sports car, selling as much on exclusivity, personal luxury, and performance and competing directly with the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Porsche 911, and Ferrari California. Offered as a coupe or as a convertible, the GranTurismo is also related to the Maserati Quattroporte and the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. For 2007, the Maserati GranTurismo replaced the
The Maserati GranTurismo is a grand-touring sports car, selling as much on exclusivity, personal luxury, and performance and competing directly with the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Porsche 911, and Ferrari California. Offered as a coupe or as a convertible, the GranTurismo is also related to the Maserati Quattroporte and the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.
For 2007, the Maserati GranTurismo replaced the Maserati Coupé, and it offers as much performance as its predecessor with more refinement. You can see the close resemblance between the GranTurismo coupe and the Quattroporte sedan, but any similarities end there; the GranTurismo has an attractive sports-coupe silhouette, in a design that you might expect of an Italian exotic. Up close, the low front end and the flared rear fenders in particular make its profile a thing of beauty, particularly in convertible form.
A 405-horsepower, 4.2-liter V-8 had been standard on the GranTurismo, and GranTurismo S models used to get a 433-hp, 4.7-liter version. For the 2012 model year, the 4.2-liter V-8 has been discontinued, and all GranTurismo models now have a 4.7-liter V-8, with base cars rated at 433 hp and GranTurismo S models, at 444 hp. Maserati estimates the standard car can get to 60 mph in less than 5.0 seconds and to a top speed of more than 177 mph, while the GranTurismo S models can takes just 4.8 seconds or less to hit 60 mph, and can reach up to 185 mph. A GranTurismo MC edition inspired by Maserati's racing efforts sports 20-inch wheels and dark metallic trim as well as the newly uprated engine.
In both cases, the engine lives up to its Ferrari pedigree, emitting a low rumble at idle and a tuneful wail under full acceleration. All GranTurismos have a six-speed ZF automatic transmission, including excellent column-mounted steering-wheel paddles for shifting. The setup works well, with the transmission shifting quickly and decisively. Some previous models came with the Duo-Select automated manual gearbox, which we recommend you avoid due to exceptionally rough shifts during leisurely driving. Overall, with quick-ratio steering and a Skyhook air suspension with Sport mode, plus excellent brakes with a pedal feel right on par with other exotics, the GranTurismo manages to feel surprisingly nimble, considering that it's heavier than most other rival coupes. The Sport models have their own sport suspension settings, offering an even firmer ride.
The Maserati GranTurismo feels snug, because of its quite narrow footwells and tight sport seats, but it's also warm and inviting thanks to soft leather and excellent trims. There are back seats in the GranTurismo, but they're mostly for small adults and children, though they look enticing enough to try. The front seats enough space for taller adults, and trunk space should be just enough for a weekend trip. Maserati sells most of its GranTurismo and Quattroporte models by order, with a long list of customization options, interior trims, and luxury features, including a navigation system by Magneti Marelli, "trident" logo stitching on the seats, and carbon-fiber trim for the MC edition.
For those enamored of the Maserati GranTurismo, there's a steady progression of increasingly aggressive models to choose from. There's the base GranTurismo, with its 4.2-liter, 400-horsepower V8, then the GranTurismo S with a larger, more powerful 4.7-liter, 434hp V8, and finally the MC Stradale (as it's called in Europe, slightly less hardcore here as the GranTurismo MC) that packs a yet more prodigious 444hp into a more track-focused chassis. (Don't even get us started on the spectrum of convertible models.) But there will always be those for whom even the most extreme factory-prepared performance model will never be enough. And for such individuals, there's Novitec.
The tuning house is long known for tweaking Alfa Romeos, and through its Novitec Rosso division, the very best that Ferrari has to offer, too. But back in '09, they launched Novitec Tridente to deal specifically with Maseratis. And this is its latest project.
Starting with the MC Stradale, Novitec Tridente has dropped the suspension, mounted 22-inch alloys with a thin coating of Pirelli P Zero rubber, and – most crucially – superchaged and intercooled the engine (along with remapped management) up to 646 horsepower and 460 pound-feet of torque, fed by a big air scoop in the hood. That drops the 0-62 time to 3.9 seconds, and increases the top speed to an autostrada-crunching 190 miles per hour. Extensive interior accoutrements can also be added to the package that starts at €23,900 ($32k). You can see the results in full in the high-res image gallery, and the video and press release after the jump.
Searching for the most stylish new car of 2007? Then look no further than Italy. The country has already given us Fiat's fresh 500, but at the other end of the market, Maserati designers have penned a supercar that's just as much of a visual delight.
Maserati's GranTurismo is without doubt one of the most beautiful offerings ever to leave the firm's factory gates. Every line and detail has been crafted out of real passion, resulting in a shape that's totally unforgettable.
When the Maserati was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year, what turned most heads, apart from the stunning design, was its size. Measuring 4,881mm in length, the new model is 500mm longer than the firm's old Coupé, and only 184mm shorter than Mercedes' CL.
This has allowed stylists to be creative with the bodywork, and also made the Maserati surprisingly spacious inside. Slide into the leather- lined cabin and the high transmission tunnel makes you fully aware that you are in a true supercar, but the two-door is far from cramped.
There's easily enough room for two adults in the back, which makes the GranTurismo a more practical prop-osition than Porsche's 911. Headroom is tight, but against that, the seats are beautifully trimmed. However, some of the switchgear is disappointingly plasticky to look at and touch.
Yet there's a real sense of occasion when you get behind the wheel. The V8 powerplant bursts into life like a race engine, before hushing to a quiet idle. Pull the conventional gear selector into drive, and the drama begins.
Engineers have squeezed 399bhp out of the 4.2-litre unit. With peak power not arriving until 7,100rpm, and maximum 460Nm torque coming in at 4,750rpm, this is no lazy cruiser. At almost any speed, the thunderous acceleration on tap is impressive. The sprint from 0-62mph takes 5.2 seconds, and the Maserati easily has more than enough pace to match all but the most extreme AMG-tuned Mercedes.
In keeping with its grand touring ethos, the GranTurismo is only available with an automatic transmission. Drivers who want to take manual control can do so via the steering wheel paddleshifters, but the gearbox works best when left to its own devices.
If you need to make the shifts a bit quicker, then there's a Sport button, which also increases the responsiveness of the accelerator and adjusts the Maserati Stability Program.
However, the two-door can't quite match the breadth of abilities offered by some rivals. Over longer distances, the taut set-up makes the coupé feel a little unrefined, but pays dividends when you turn off on to a twisty road.
Despite its size, the four-seater has superb agility. The rear-wheel-drive chassis never feels short of grip, and it turns into bends with sports car-like precision. It's only the speed-sensitive power-steering which lacks the accuracy and feedback of a Porsche, and is vague around the straight ahead.
Ride and handling can be improved even further by electronically variable active damping, which costs an extra £1,721. And that's on top of the hefty £78,500 list price. Indeed, it's not at all hard to make your Maserati even more expensive. Highlights from the options list include 20-inch Birdcage design alloy wheels, costing £3,079, and pearlescent paint at £4,583.
No one could pretend that this car's a bargain, but the lucky few who can afford a GranTurismo will hold the keys to a truly special Italian beauty.
The Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale was introduced at last year's Paris Motor Show as a lighter and more hardcore alternative to the standard model. However, the Italian firm left the Ferrari-sourced 4.7-liter V8 largely intact as it gained a mere 10HP over the S model producing 450-horses and 510 Nm (376 lb ft) of torque.
Famed German tuning house Novitec and its Tridente division, which specializes on Maserati models, decided to step in and offer owners of the GT MC Stradale an upgrade package that focuses on the performance aspect.
Novitec Tridente fits a new supercharger along with a water-to-air intercooler, custom injectors, larger manifolds and a reprogrammed ECU to the coupe's 4.7-liter V8. As a result, output is bumped to a hefty 646-horses and 624Nm (460 lb-ft).
These upgrades allow the GranTurismo MC Stradale to make the run to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3.9 seconds, and to 200km/h (124mph) in 14 seconds.
Other performance modifications include a lower suspension kit, a sport exhaust system with huge tail pipes, and a set of new alloy wheels size 21-in. up front and 22-in. at the back wrapped around chunky high-performance Pirelli tires.
The entire conversion will set you back €23,900 or about US$31,500 at the current exchange rates.
It's beautiful to look at, stunning to listen to and anointed by Maserati's racing squad. But is the new Maserati GranTurismo MC a true driver's car, or just the latest motoring accessory to tempt the Palm Beach set? Let's find out.
Disclaimer: Maserati wanted us to drive the 2012 GranTurismo MC so badly, they flew me to San Diego, boarded me for a day in a resort hotel the size of Cape Cod, and bought me a blueberry pie. An angry woman by the name of Irene was awaiting my return to New York.
Even if you've been in car-nerd lockstep with Maserati's GranTurismo derivatives, you can't be faulted for a bit of confusion. In Europe, the latest GT version is the GranTurismo MC Stradale, whose added horsepower, automated manual gearbox, carbon-ceramic brakes, racing buckets and nonexistent rear seating suggests a GranTurismo S dressed for a night out hustling races for cash.
That car won't be coming to the U.S. Instead, we're getting the GranTurismo MC, positioned as an edgier version of the GranTurismo S for buyers seeking more driver engagement. It's similar to the Stradale, but with fewer track-day airs. The U.S.-bound MC has two, decent-sized rear seats, a mild-mannered ZF automatic transmission standing in for the F1 box and a couple-hundred pounds of extra weight over the Stradale. Sounds like the Europeans got the fillet again, and we're stuck with another boiled eye-round roast? Close, but not exactly.
Maserati reps explain the dueling versions thusly: European buyers tend to garage their Maseratis in advance of the weekend's recreational flogging sessions, but Americans want to drive their Maseratis during the week. So, for a buyer in LA or New York, the F1 box might be too finicky in commuter traffic, while the Stradale's racing harness would likely crease their bespoke power suits. Unacceptable.
Still, both cars have gotten similar tweaks on the nose by the Maserati Corse racing program. In the MC's case, the modifications largely involve aerodynamics. Those include a new, hand-formed hood with air intakes, a new front bumper and splitter combo, new fenders with air outlets, new side skirts, a new rear bumper and a larger rear lip spoiler. The result is 25% more downforce at the front and 50% more at the rear, at 125 mph.
On a recent test day, I only drove the MC, and so I can't speak for the Stradale. I can state without perjury that the MC is the automotive equivalent of a pleasuredome.
Pleasure center number one: the engine. If you must rev all the way to five grand to wring out any meaningful shove, you might as well be revving Maserati's 4.7-liter V8. What else sounds as majestic as a Maserati V8 above 3,000 rpm? Not much. A chorus of angels performing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" through speakers made from maplewood-smoked bacon, perhaps. But only with a scotch buzz on and if Freddy Mercury was singing contralto. Otherwise, the V8 wins, no question.
Ripping through San Diego's Anza-Borrego Desert State Park with the new, lighter-weight sport exhaust's bypass valve wide open, the MC's V8 paints an aural picture suggesting curvy actresses and sweeping Italian cinematography. The breathtaking barks and crackles of unspent fuel detonating off-throttle echo through the canyons like primal hints of the earth being born. Think of the most arousing engine you've ever heard, and then imagine what it might sound like sprinkled with angel dust –- the actual dust of angels, that is, not the drug that makes grandfather clocks curse at you in Portuguese.
In manual sport mode the bypass valve flaps open, feeding V8 music into the cabin. In auto sport mode, the valve opens at 3,000 rpm, and in normal mode it clamps shut, the result of which is like listening to a concert with your ear pressed against the stage door.
Sure it's pretty to the ears, but with 444 hp (+11 over the GT S) and 376 lb-ft (+15) pushing 4,145 pounds, it also keeps us safe from neck injury. Still, the MC's 0-60 time is well under five seconds, so we're also not talking Coupe De Ville numbers, either.
The ZF automatic is mounted at the engine instead of at the rear like the Stradale's AMT box. The location difference means the front/rear balance shifts by one percent – in the MC, it's 49%/51%. The box is overlaid with Maserati's MC-Shift software, which blips the throttle on downshifts – something the Italians call a "doppietta" (a cute, little double shift, I guess) – and in manual sport mode, it holds gears even at the rev limiter. It's not a terrible way to shift gears, if you're also busy rehearsing closing arguments that'll, with any luck, acquit your client from banking-fraud charges. If you're looking to reduce a canyon highway to tears, it's just too remote. This is another of those times you need to tell yourself, "Easy boy, this is a GT. The Ferrari dealership is that way."
And that sentiment rolls on through the cornering process. No doubt, this is a big, heavy car with the same appreciation for abrupt changes in direction as a Jacuzzi tub full of risk-management lawyers. The ideal way to drive the GT MC is to assume it's even bigger than it is, making an advantage of its lenient body control. Plan ahead, and keep it at as steady a state as possible – brake hard, turn in confidently, then get right back on the throttle, leaning on the super-sticky Pirelli P-Zero Corsas to guide the car back to center — in fluid, unbroken chains of hands-and-feet. A racecar for the street, this isn't, nor purports to be. The car I drove had the standard, one-setting dampers, whose single-mindedness is refreshing in the age of complex, adaptable luxury-car running gear. Maserati's Skyhook adaptable system is optional.
And then you settle back again, lolling in comfort, listening to the resonant V8 as it wails and burbles its way to an automotive Grammy award.
Let's be real. From a form-follows-function point of view, there are no grounds for applying racing pretense to a 4,000-pound Italian cruiser. The MC is a beautiful GT car, whose capabilities are spot on for sensory gratification, but not so much for Nürburgring lap times. And that's fine, even welcome in this era of constant numbers-watching. Anyway, it's not like Maserati's trying to pull a fast one, even at $143,850.
Maserati granturismo
Hi, very usefull information, keep it continue. Maserati latest model year for 2016.
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