Every Every GranTurismo uses a double wishbone front suspension design and a multi-link set-up at the rear. There are three different suspension choices, covered by standard, Skyhook and MC Handling Pack. With Skyhook, the dampers firm up when the Sport mode is selected, while the MC Pack lowers the car by 10mm, has stiffer springs, dampers and anti-roll bars, as well as a recalibrated ESP system. The Stradale models have their own unique suspension set-up that is eight per cent firmer than the S and drops the ride by 10mm at the front and 12mm at the back.
Ceramic brakes on Stradale only
A thorough suspension geometry check and alignment is money well spent when you buy a GranTurismo. It ensures the car handles well and will avoid the excessive tyre wear some owners have reported, especially on the inner edges of the front tyres.
The 4.2 and S have ventilated steel discs all round that work efficiently to stop the 1.8-tonne Maserati. Check for scoring and ridges on the front discs by running your finger over the surface.
For the Stradale, Maserati fitted carbon ceramic discs as standard with six-piston Brembo front calipers. These discs could be fitted as an option to the lesser models and give prodigious stopping power. However, a new set of carbon ceramic discs from Maserati is £12,000, which is why many owners opt to have these stoppers refurbished by SICOM. This company offers a much more affordable solution by refacing the discs and it can provide them on an exchange basis if you need the car on the road sooner than the usual two-week turnaround.
Unique Pirelli P Zero Corsa 20-inch tyres were developed for the Stradale and the same brand is standard fit for the other models. However, most owners prefer Michelin Pilot Super Sport or Cup 2 tyres for dry and wet driving. Budget around £1,100 for a set of four replacement tyres for any GranTurismo model either on the standard 19-inch alloy wheels of the 4.2 and S models or the 20-inch rims of the Stradale.
PHer's view:
"The ride is a little on the firm side, so you do feel bad road surfaces, but not to the point of significant irritation."
John Coventry