Thursday 15th September 2022

Maserati GranTurismo gets V6 - and all the moves

Seeing is believing when it comes to the new-for-2023 GranTurismo

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The previous Maserati GranTurismo occupies a strange space in the memory banks. On the one hand, it can justifiably claim to have kept the lights on at Maserati when the firm wasn’t indulged with the love and affection it is treated to now; on the other, it was arguably never quite the car it should have been. It often looked and sounded the business (the MC Stradale would have people spilling out of shops on a quiet high street) but the overall driving experience didn’t always meet up with the evocative billing. 

Now, the model is back. Or at least it’s a long way down the road to its return, because Maserati has opted to reveal the new design ahead of its official debut. Which is slightly odd - especially as the manufacturer has declined to disclose any additional information - but we’ll forgive the brain trust in Modena, because a) the new GranTurismo is no less pleasant to look at than the old one, and b) we know it gets the latest ‘Nettuno’ V6. 

Granted, the last car featured eight cylinders arranged in a compelling vee, but the Nettuno engine is the one responsible for powering the mid-engined MC20 to considerable acclaim, and (in the Trofeo version at least) you can expect the unit to appear in a very similar format. Which certainly would bring the fight to a number of key rivals, not least the new - and also very easy on the eye - Mercedes SL. Indeed, its maker suggests that the new generation 'is now ready to take the brand ahead into the future, emboldened by its unique style and driven by an innate propensity for innovation.’ Which is nice. 

Of course, beyond the new V6, Maserati is referring to the other means of stretching the GranTurismo’s legs, which is almost certain to include a petrol-electric hybrid - and absolutely will feature a PHEV, because the all-electric Granturismo Folgore has already been confirmed. Albeit without any technical details. Regardless, Modena is at pains to remind us that the incoming GranTurismo represents a 75-year journey from the A6 1500, considered its spiritual ancestor. It would do well to remember that the demise of its immediate antecedent was quietly swept under the rug back in 2019. No matter how the wheels are ultimately powered, its replacement has its work cut out. 

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• Novitec launches 711hp Maserati MC20
• Maserati Ghibli Trofeo vs. BMW M5 Competition

[Corkys]

That is a very good looking car. Shame about it lacking a V8 but it the way things are going

[Turini]

So many hopes for the brand given so many lacklustre offerings, that looks rather nice

[MikeM6]

It's good too see the design of Maserati improving, many recent offerings had that 'Korean white goods look' that even the Kia and Hyundai had left behind.

I'm just not sure about the V6 though, to me that still feels a little entry level as an engine choice, but I guess that is the direction of travel now.

[Jon_S_Rally]

I think the front end of the old car looked marginally better, and it's a shame to lose that wonderful sounding V8, but that's still a lovely looking thing.

My neighbour has a Gran Cabrio and I get chills every time I hear it. Lovely cars, even if they are flawed.

[lrdisco]

Sorry but that does nothing for me and I’m usually a huge fan boy.

[pycraft]

Welcome to the new GranTurismo, same as the old GranTurismo. I'm sure it's an "all new car" and whatnot but it seems odd to make a new car that looks so much like a slight evolution of the one they withdrew from sales four years earlier.

I'd hoped for the kind of step forward we saw when we went from the 3200/4200/GranSport to the GranTurismo, but there we go.

[NJJ]

I appreciate these are not the official release pictures but these shots look so amateur. Thankfully they don't spoil what is a fine looking car, but they don't exactly show it at its best either.

[DeejRC]

Is this the same size as the old one, ie bloody huge?

[Fetchez la vache]

To the untrained eye (e.g. mine!) this looks much like the last one. Unsure as to whether this is a good thing or a bad thing TBH...Always looked lovely in pictures, but just huuge in real life, which always put me off.

[ate one too]

Find me a better looking, better sounding full four adult seater coupe than the previous GranTurismo.

Let's hope this one carries that that legacy forward. Granted the V6 "Nettuno" engine doesn't sound as sweet as the old V8 but will be giving around a 100 BHP more in the new model

[paddy1970]

The key stat will be the weight as the old one was really heavy (nearly 2t)...

[FlukePlay]

I happened to drive the last gen model round a track last week...it felt rather large and cumbersome and I presume it's best suited to touring. Mash the accelerator and it punched hard, sounded great but was not a car to be hustled around a track. Roomy too, it could definitely accommodate the kids in the back and I am pretty sure a couple of adults would fit snugly in there.

[Vee12V]

DeejRC said:

Is this the same size as the old one, ie bloody huge?

It was a proper 4 seater though.

[Almani]

Looks very under-wheeled to me - a bit like an old Dinky Toy

[jamesbilluk]

Love the rear view on this new model, but I prefer the front view of the previous model.

[Silvanus]

DeejRC said:

Is this the same size as the old one, ie bloody huge?

Looking at the side profile it looks slightly shorter. Shorter bonnet and wheelbase, still a big car mind. Wonder if the platform for this is shared anywhere else across the Stelantis group? The proportions look good and its not followed its competitors with overly aggressive angles and slashes. Top of the range should be good for well over 650 bhp, wonder how the V6 sounds when given some revs, the V8 in the old one was what made it so special.

[siwhit]

NOICE!!!!!

[Red6]

Normally I would hold back until I see a car in the carbon, but this looks a bit wet to me. It's like Maserati haven't tried to evolve the design.

[mat205125]

ate one too said:

Find me a better looking, better sounding full four adult seater coupe than the previous GranTurismo.

Always been my thoughts too.

I've never found myself in the market for a pure GT, however find myself ever closer to that point, and these are pretty special

[dunnoreally]

Paint job aside, I quite like that. Didn't even know there was another of these in the works, so a pleasant surprise too.

I'm still sad that the Fiat Chrysler marriage combined with the departure of Ferrari didn't give us a Hellcat-engined Maserati. I feel a big American engine suits a svelte gt, like in old De Tomaso stuff.

Still, in today's world of the upcoming four pot E63, even a v6 is more than welcome in my book.