2010 Maserati GranTurismo

Two years ago, the Maserati GranTurismo replaced the GranSport model. The standard 2010 Maserati GranTurismo comes equipped with a 405-horsepower 4.2-liter V-8, while the sportier GranTurismo S gets a 4.7-liter engine with 433 horsepower on tap. The GranTurismo Convertible also gets the more powerful 4.7-liter V-8. Standard across the GranTurismo range is a six-speed ZF automatic transmission. The 0-60 mph run now takes just 5.1 seconds in the GranTurismo, while the GranTurismo S gets there in 4.5 seconds. Top speeds are 177 mph and 183 mph, respectively.

Maserati’s new GranTurismo Convertible is a beautiful addition to the family of powerful sporting cars designed for the true enthusiast. The guidance of former Formula 1 racer Ivan Capelli is helpful in getting us out of the dense Roman traffic and into the countryside, where we find a delightful winding road with elevation changes, switchbacks and challenging corners to test the Convertible.

Beneath the broad sloping hood lies the excellent Maserati GranTurismo 4.7-liter V-8 engine boasting 440 bhp and 361 lb.-ft. f torque. Out on the open winding road, the Maserati GranTurismo Convertible really struts its stuff--with excellent handling, sharp acceleration, super braking feel and a level of confidence that makes driving this car a joy. The Maserati GranTurismo Convertible (called the GranCabrio in the home market) goes on sale in the U.S. this spring, priced at $139,700.

2008 Maserati

2008 Maserati is preparing a large coupe based on the Quattroporte saloon and meant to compete against luxury GTs such as the Mercedes Benz CLS or Bentley Continental GT. Spy photographers have caught in tests at Nurburgring a large Maserati coupe very similar to the Quattroporte. Overall proportions and visible design details clearly point that this future coupe is closely based on the Maserati sedan.
We can then guess that Maserati has chosen to diversify their offer by producing a large size classic coupe, a true granturismo to compete against the Merc CL-Class, BMW 6 Series, Aston Martin DB9 & Co.

The spec sheet is rife with fodder: Relative to its Porsche 911-fighting Coupe/Gran Sport predecessor, Maserati's new GranTurismo is over 14 inches longer, an inch wider, nearly two inches taller, and-mamma mia!-550 pounds heavier! Supersizing to the Quattroporte sedan architecture afforded Pininfarina room to package a roomier rear seat under a sleeker fastback roof with classic long-hood, short-deck, flying-wedge proportions. The headlamps and the optional 20-inch Trident-spoke wheels riff on Pininfarina's Birdcage concept car. Mechanically, the car is a Quattroporte automatic with 4.8 inches sawed out of the wheelbase and 2.6 inches off the tail. The drivetrain and "Skyhook" adaptive suspension are tailored to the GranTurismo's sportier mission. Press the dash button marked "Sport" and throttle responsiveness increases 20 percent, the dampers stiffen to curtail body roll and float, and the transmission shift logic becomes more aggressive. A separate "Ice" setting blocks first-gear launches and forces upshifts at 3000 rpm.
Outside there's a choice of 19 body colors and two wheel designs in three finishes.

The Quattroporte comes in three trims: Executive GT, Sport GT, and Sport GT S. Rear-wheel drive comes standard.