Maserati GranTurismo

The Maserati GranTurismo is a luxury two door coupe manufactured by Maserati, an Italian luxury car manufacturer since 1914. While logic clearly does not dictate the purchase of the Maserati GranTurismo (as there are far more practical convertibles and grand touring coupes available), it is an extremely rewarding car in terms of performance and both the exterior and interior. Ultimately, it is a reward for one’s achievements in life, as very few cars on the planet can keep up with the pace set by the GranTurismo.

Performance

All the variations of the Maserati GranTurismo come with a 4.7-liter V8 engine that generates 454 horsepower and 384 pound feet of torque. The engine makes an absolutely beautiful noise, so much so that you may be tempted to keep the radio or sound system off. Each version comes with an upgraded six-speed ZF automatic transmission with sport controls. It is a decisive transmission, thanks to a strong manual mode, throttle-blipping on downshifts, and quick gear changes. While the lack of a manual transmission is disappointing, the automatic transmission makes perfect sense for a grand tourer automobile. The GranTurismo takes only 4.7 seconds to get to 60 mph, and reaches a top speed of 185 mph. It is an extremely nimble vehicle, and is aided by an ideal weight balance and quick steering.

Interior

The Maserati GranTurismo has one of the most beautiful and elegant designs in Maserati history. The interior is just as seductive as the exterior, slathered in the most attractive mix of metal, wood, and leather. Interior detail is evident, with beautiful hand-sewn exposed stitching and fine chrome rings around switches and buttons. All variations of the GranTurismo come standard with front and rear parking sensors, power heated front seats, leather upholstery, automatic climate control, a hard-drive based navigation system with 30 GB of storage, Bluetooth, an audio system with USB ports and Satellite radio, and power windows. The interior is available in three different types of wood and ten different colors.

Pros/Cons

The Maserati GranTurismo combines an engaging powertrain with a finely executed and spacious interior to create a comfortable, stylish, and extremely fast car. The interior is absolutely stunning and offers ample shoulder room and legroom for full size adults, allowing them to sit comfortable. The new convertible top adds a final element of luxury and style to the vehicle. It is a very easy car to drive, and makes few demands in ordinary driving, providing a smooth ride and easily holding the road. The brakes are very powerful under just medium pressure, but are not overly sensitive. While the steering is not exactly lightning fast, it is solid, responsive, and predictable. The biggest negative is the price. It is hard to justify spending over $150 000 on a vehicle if you are not a millionaire. Still, the Maserati GranTurismo will more than satisfy the customers who are able to comfortably afford it.

Other Features

According to The Car Connection, the  Maserati GranTurismo coupe starts at a base price of $125 000. This can easily rise to over $140 000 for certain model and feature upgrades, however. The Maserati website offers more information on the different GranTurismo variations and what features they offer. Unfortunately, neither the IIHS or NHTSA have crash tested it yet (which is not uncommon among luxury cars), but the list of standard safety equipment is solid. It comes with the usual assortment of side and front airbags, anti-lock brakes, and stability control. Other features include rear parking sensors and Bluetooth, although it lacks a rearview camera, which is disappointing since the low seating position makes rearward visibility a challenge at times.