Tuesday 26th February 2008

Maserati Granturismo S

Maserati sharpens up its big GT

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Maserati has unveiled a new driver-focused version of the Granturismo – the Granturismo S.

The 4.7 litre V8 in the ‘S’ has 434bhp – a 34bhp increase over the standard car – and electro-actuated gearbox with fast MC-Shift.

The Granturismo S will be launched at Geneva next month, and features a high-performance brake system developed in collaboration with Brembo and introduced for the first time on the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S.

The system features front brake discs made with dual-cast technology – a dual casting of cast iron and aluminium, paired with aluminium mono-bloc 6-piston brake callipers.

The car has been subtely tweaked on the outside and interior upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather and Alcantara.

More details are expected when the car appears at the Geneva Show.

[dinkel]

I thought AutoCar described the Granturismo as a great GT but not a sportscar . . . Why try then?

I'm confused.

[Wigeon Incognito]

dinkel said:

I thought AutoCar described the Granturismo as a great GT but not a sportscar . . . Why try then?

I'm confused.

Because to get rave reviews in the magazines every car has to be a great sportscar as well as being a GT/supermini/4x4/luxury saloon etc etc.

Rave reviews = sales.

[Panayiotis]

I think the performance doesn't reflect the styling. With smaller and cheaper cars offering more horsepower in a lighter body, I think Maserati is forced to do this. I assume this given that the standard car hasn;t been on sale for very long.

[mc_blue]

It surprises me that this car has come so soon. I agree that it may not be necessary, I've always looked at this car as a Merc CL, Jaguar XK and even Conti GT and Ferrari 612 rival due to its size and GT bias. A smaller lighter model should be pitched at the 977 etc.

Any PHers with the current guise royally pissed off?

Edited by mc_blue on Tuesday 26th February 12:22

[Exint2]

This was always planned, and not a reaction to the press, the original car has an automatic box and the carry-over 4.2 engine.

This is the more focused "sportscar" rather than GT' with the 4.7 first seen in the Alfa 8C and an uprated version of Maseratis Paddle shift box.

It'll still suffer from the basic mass of the car but I expect the suspension will be tuned differently and the extra torque will be more important than the 34HP. And the car looks even better IMHO!

Edited by Exint2 on Tuesday 26th February 12:25

[Exint2]

This was always planned, and not a reaction to the press, the original car has an automatic box and the carry-over 4.2 engine.

This is the more focused "sportscar" rather than GT with the 4.7 first seen in the Alfa 8C and an uprated version of Maseratis Paddle shift box.

It'll still suffer from the basic mass of the car but I expect the suspension will be tuned differently and the extra torque will be more important than the 34HP. And the car looks even better IMHO!

Edited by Exint2 on Tuesday 26th February 12:26

[SCOOTERMAN]

Wigeon Incognito said:

Because to get rave reviews in the magazines every car has to be a great sportscar as well as being a GT/supermini/4x4/luxury saloon etc etc.

...and wear a friggin' BMW/Audi badge...

Edited by SCOOTERMAN on Tuesday 26th February 12:34

[zaktoo]

dinkel said:

I thought AutoCar described the Granturismo as a great GT but not a sportscar . . . Why try then?

I'm confused.

Maybe because Autocar is not the alpha and omega of automotive journalism?

in fact, today it's sadly more like a monosyllabic grunt from a troglodyte

[AMG Merc]

I love the look of this car - it's just so BIG though!

[Road_Terrorist]

AMG Merc said:

I love the look of this car - it's just so BIG though!

You're right, it really needs a V12 version to be taken seriously, Ferrari must have a few lying around they can use

[Zod]

AMG Merc said:

I love the look of this car - it's just so BIG though!

and H E A V Y .

[Beefmeister]

I'm really looking forward to driving this, to see if it answers some of the criticism i gave it previously.

Either way, just look at it - this picture is verging on erotic....

[spice]

the first cars will soon be £60k

[[AJ]]

Beefmeister said:

I'm really looking forward to driving this, to see if it answers some of the criticism i gave it previously.

Either way, just look at it - this picture is verging on erotic....

I agree. One of the best looking cars on the market at the moment IMO.

[LukeBird]

Perhaps even better looking than the 'normal' car...
And that isn't exactly ugly!

[Akers]

If that's available from next month and I had just bought a 'standard' Gran Turismo, I'd be pd

Edited by Akers on Tuesday 26th February 15:08

[900T-R]

Akers said:

If that's available from next month and I had just bought a 'standard' Gran Turismo, I'd be pd

I'm sure your local friendly Maser dealer would be delighted to 'upgrade' the order you placed...

[mc_blue]

This is going to nudge £100k?

[Gizmo535]

[AJ] said:

Beefmeister said:

I'm really looking forward to driving this, to see if it answers some of the criticism i gave it previously.

Either way, just look at it - this picture is verging on erotic....

I agree. One of the best looking cars on the market at the moment IMO.

I saw the silver one of these at the Sunday Service... and quite frankly I was underwhelmed.
Would rather have a DB9 - and even that is a bit ungainly around the rear threequarters to my mind (heresy I know. But the rear wheel is too far away from the end of the front door).

[ross]

I think it's gorgeous... would love one, think might wait for 12 months though, suspect might get one a bit cheaper;-) and absence makes the heart grow fonder...