Thursday 28th February 2013

New Maserati GT MC Stradale unveiled

Latest iteration of GranTurismo MC Stradale gains two seats in the back

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Maserati has announced a series of revisions to its GranTurismo MC Stradale – including, slightly bizarrely, the addition of two rear seats.

We say bizarrely only because the Stradale has always been the hardcore, “stripped-out” version of the GranTurismo – hence the ‘MC’ part of its name, which stands for ‘Maserati Corse’, or Maserati Racing. So the addition of two rear seats - just like the somewhat portly American-market version - somewhat pulls it away from that brief. Still, if Maserati’s discovered that a bare-bones track special with space for the kids is what its customers want, then who are we to argue?

Bumper gills aside, istill a lovely looking thing

The other significant – and more obviously logical – change to the Stradale has been the addition of 10hp to the 4.7-litre V8, taking it up to the 460hp that’s now standard across the GranTurismo range. As before, it's matched to Maserati’s six-speed MC Race Shift electronically-actuated gearbox, and gives the updated MC Stradale a top speed of 188mph.

There’s also a new carbon-fibre bonnet, a more aggressive rear diffuser, and the 20-inch alloy wheels are now forged. These changes should mean a reduction in weight that’ll help counteract the addition of the rear seats – though, perhaps notably, Maserati hasn’t released any weight figures yet, and though we’ve asked the question, we’ve yet to receive an answer (update coming when we do, of course). Acceleration figures are also notable by their absence. Still, at least the now-standard Brembo carbon ceramic brakes should mean stopping isn’t an issue.

All of that said, just look at it. The GT’s always been a pretty thing, and this form’s probably one of the best yet. It might not be the lightest, most focused track special out there, but we can forgive its quirks with one glance at those slinky hips. Can’t we?

[WCZ]

"We say bizarrely only because the Stradale has always been the hardcore, “stripped-out” version of the GranTurismo"

There was clear demand for a 4 seater version of this car so they obliged !

[ImDesigner]

Yet again, crap wheels.

[Scrof]

WCZ said:

"We say bizarrely only because the Stradale has always been the hardcore, “stripped-out” version of the GranTurismo"

There was clear demand for a 4 seater version of this car so they obliged !

...a point, I feel, we've made in the next line.

[matpilch]

ImDesigner said:

Yet again, crap wheels.

fully agree, italians can do better than that

[krisdelta]

That looks fantastic! I've always been surprised just how big they are in the metal over the 3200GT though, not exactly B road material - but I am sure a great way to cruise to the south of France.

[GranCab]

I will be checking it and the rest of the range at Geneva on March 12th / 13th

[TaylotS2K]

Lovely, except the wheels as others have mentioned.

[Arrive Alive]

One of the most beautiful cars in production. Deeply cool. Just loose the aftermarket style - usually seen on mercedes/bmw - wheels.

[Andy ap]

Allways wanted one, if i could afford one maybe i could just about justify it to the mrs.

[Obiwonkeyblokey]

and the sound........MMMMMMMM

[M@1975]

WAAANNNTTT (with nicer wheels...)

[toppstuff]

Serious question, because in my dreams I can see myself owning one of these to sit outside my home at Lake Como, but if not these wheels - which wheels?

Maybe I don't have wheel taste. They look Ok to me, but I am a philistine who still wears paisley.

Can anyone show me which kind of wheels would look better?

[chrisironside]

Tasty!!!

[soad]

krisdelta said:

That looks fantastic! I've always been surprised just how big they are in the metal over the 3200GT though, not exactly B road material - but I am sure a great way to cruise to the south of France.

Newer model, hence the bloatness.

[P4ROT]

Why is an Italian company modelling their alloys on the Wolfrace range?

[matlee]

Crikey mozeeeeeeees that's a handsome car!

[ugg10]

My lottery win everyday car !

Room for shopping, wife, kid(s) and still looks, goes and sounds amazing !

The Ford Focus of the supercar world, what's not to like.

[RedTrident]

toppstuff said:

Serious question, because in my dreams I can see myself owning one of these to sit outside my home at Lake Como, but if not these wheels - which wheels?

Maybe I don't have wheel taste. They look Ok to me, but I am a philistine who still wears paisley.

Can anyone show me which kind of wheels would look better?

The trident black gloss wheels on my 2010/11 GTS suit this car perfectly.

Having run a gts mc shift version for nearly 3 years the improvements I'd like to see include better brakes, a bit lighter (definitely no more heavier) and improve the seats so they're better moulded. The brakes have been upgraded so I wait to read about weight, interior and of course performance.

Really enjoyed the ownership of the existing gts and would consider px up to this new version.

[J-P]

Perfect car for me I have to say!

[SprintSpeciale]

I am still not sure I see the point of this model. I have now been running the latest Granturismo Sport for about 5 months. In fact I just got back from a trip to the Alps in it. It is an (almost) perfect GT car. Four of us (2 adults, 2 children) went from London to Megeve in great comfort. On the entire journey to France and back we averaged north of 100km/h and the car returned just shy of 25mpg - which I mention only to demonstrate that it has a decent touring range given the 90 litre fuel tank. You'll need to stop for something to eat or a pee before the tank empties. The only things that detract from its role as a GT are the very small boot (which requires strategic packing and an understanding wife) and the useless Satnav.

However, what this car is not is a sports car. Anybody in the market for a true sports car surely isn't looking for something as big and heavy as the Maserati? And if you are in the market for a GT, why detract from the GT experience by stripping out the interior, etc. At least, they have put the rear seats back, I suppose..

Much as I love the Granturismo, I fear this model is more likely to attract someone interested in driving up and down the King's Road..