The 2014 Maserati GranTurismo is about much more than just speed or
luxury, though it packs both aplenty. Cachet, style, the essence of
Italian exotica--these are some of the benefits of owning a Maserati. It
evokes passion in its owner and envy in one's rivals.
One of the
most stunning, curvaceous vehicles on the planet today, the Maserati
GranTurismo's success is measured in the sweep of its suggestive hips,
its come-hither front-end look, and its gloriously decadent interior.
Trimmed in your choice of metals, leathers, and wood, the GranTurismo is
a connoisseur's car.
While the larger Quattroporte and new
Ghibli sedan get an array of updated, turbocharged engines, the
GranTurismo carries a Ferrari-sourced 4.7-liter V-8 engine under its
hood. That sister-branded touch of sport is more than just a nod in the
right direction; it's up to 454 horsepower of sonorous speed sent to the
rear wheels through a six-speed ZF automatic transmission. The
Convertible Sport and all GranTurismo coupe models score the
454-horsepower rating; the base convertible gets a nominal 444
horsepower from the same engine.
With Ferrari's V-8 under the
hood, the 2014 Maserati GranTurismo ticks off just 4.7 seconds on the
way to 60 mph. The sport-shifting automatic transmission blips the
throttle and responds to driver requests with vigor. In all, the
GranTurismo presents a performance personality that borders on brash,
but is always brisk.
But the standard GranTurismo isn't the
highest-performance model; the GranTurismo MC (also known as the MC
Stradale outside the U.S.) raises the game with a new carbon fiber
vented hood, a track-tuned suspension, forged alloy 20-inch wheels,
Brembo carbon ceramic brakes, and a top speed of 188 mph. The latest
updates to the GranTurismo MC offer an optional return of 2+2 seating
configuration; previous iterations had stripped the rear seat to save
weight.
All models except the MC come standard with the Skyhook
air suspension that gives the GranTurismo an effortless combination of
smooth ride quality and taut, balanced handling; the GranTurismo MC can
equip the Skyhook system as an add-on.
Inside the 2014 Maserati
GranTurismo, the atmosphere is pure luxury, but despite the premium
materials and old-world-meets-new-age design, the cabin is also very
useful. With four real, usable adult-sized seats, the GranTurismo is a
rarity in the high-performance, high-style luxury coupe world.
Seeing the GranTurismo Sport in the flesh will get your heart racing. Thanks to its balanced and seductive design, its parent car, the GranTurismo, has been universally acclaimed as one of the most stylish coupés of all time. The Maserati Style Centre has now fine-tuned a few of its details to produce an even more elegant sporty personality that will delight enthusiasts.
The nose is the first part of the car to grab the attention: either side of the traditional Maserati oval radiator grille are two innovative large air intakes which not only improve the air flow and the cooling of the front brakes, but also act as a stylistic junction between the central grille and the new light assemblies. There is also a new aerodynamic splitter lower down in the centre.
On the sides of the car, the pronounced miniskirts are available in black on request and emphasise the exceptionally dynamic lines while also playing an important aerodynamic role. The outcome of a specific wind-tunnel design project, they have the crucial task of conveying the flow of air to the rear wheels in the most efficient manner possible: an example of form serving function.
At the rear of the car a number of details make the car instantly recognisable: first to catch the eye is the newly-designed tail light assembly with a special burnished finish which accentuates the effect of the 96 LEDs, while the oval exhaust tailpipes are black as per the standard Shadow Line trim. The Chrome Line option, with its wealth of elegant chrome-plated finishes, is available on request.
The rhythm, force and movement of the GranTurismo Sport are exalted by the innovative metallescent Blu Sofisticato finish, a colour which makes the bodywork even more alluring. Last but not least, the large 20-inch Astro Design rims offer a good view of the Brembo brake calipers, also available in the absolutely original Blu Opaco Anodizzato (anodised matt blue) finish which once again highlights the car’s sporty personality.
Comfortable, luxurious, sporty: these are the sensations immediately conveyed by the interior of the GranTurismo Sport. The interior boasts exquisite materials, expert craftsmanship and obsessive attention to detail in a new form that combines perfectly with the closely-studied ergonomics. The objective is to prioritise the desire for a sporty drive while ensuring unbeatable comfort and spaciousness.
The sports temperament of the GranTurismo Sport is also evident in the use of Alcantara® in combination with traditional Poltrona Frau leather in many areas of the interior, as well as the new anthracite-grey Dark Chrome trim or the EcoChrome trim - a shade which recalls the gleam of molten metal - for the dashboard, door panels and quarter panels.
The newly-designed front seats with integrated headrest guarantee greater comfort and better support when cornering. A new bezel underneath the headrest adds an extra sporty touch. In combination with the leather, the central part of the seat and back can be upholstered in perforated Alcantara® (standard on the version with MC Shift electro-actuated gearbox).
When they place their hands on the new steering wheel, drivers will notice its flattened rim, the longer Trofeo Design gear shift paddles and the new, more distinctively profiled grip. All these features make it more comfortable but are also tailored to the needs of a sporty driving style. It comes with three different finishes: all-leather, leather/Alcantara or leather/carbon fibre.
Another very important feature for those who appreciate a more sporty interior is the lightweight pedal board in perforated aluminium, which provides a direct link between the driver's instinct and skill and the car's response. The instrument panel is highly legible in all lighting conditions and, with its digital rpm counter, clearly displays exactly the right time for gear shifts.
Driving the Maserati GranTurismo Sport on the road will broaden your horizons when it comes to sports driving. The car is the outcome of a vast array of significant changes made by the Maserati engineers to the engine, suspension and gearbox. All with a single objective in mind: to establish the best combination of features in order to give the owner a car even closer to perfection, from every point of view.
The GranTurismo Sport 4.7L V8 engine stands out for its silent running, performance and reliability. An engine that inherits the mechanical sophistication which has always been a Maserati hallmark, united with numerous innovative solutions such as the special DLC (Diamond-Like Coating) finish used for the tappets and camshaft lobes, an innovation that significantly reduces friction.
The engine’s 460 horsepower changes personality to match the situation: from the discreet purr of urban driving to the powerful thrilling roar of sporty driving on the open road. The choice is in the driver’s hands: he can set the output level by pressing the Sport button. Most of the 520 Nm of torque is available over a wide range of engine speeds for an outstandingly smooth ride.
The ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox with hydraulic torque converter guarantees an even more comfortable ride with no reduction in performance. The transmission is controlled by the MC Auto Shift software, with rev limiter override, double declutch and high-performance start function. There are five operating modes: Auto Normal, Auto Sport, Manual Normal, Manual Sport and Ice.
On the GranTurismo Sport, the MC Auto Shift automatic transmission is mounted directly on the engine: this layout, and the fact that the engine is moved back behind the front axle, provides extremely well balanced weight distribution with 49% at the front and 51% at the rear. This generates predictable handling, making the car more relaxing to drive, and maximises traction during acceleration.
The GranTurismo Sport's double wishbone suspension features a new setup and is controlled by the Sport Skyhook System, which has been specially developed for this version. Pressing the dashboard Sport button makes the car even more precise and responsive without affecting its ability to deal with rough road surfaces, since it continuously adapts to ground conditions.
Maserati has been manufacturing extremely high-performance cars with impeccable finishes for a long time. However, as every one of us has their own personal taste and preferences a vast number of details on the GranTurismo Sport can be customised. From the bodywork shades - two pastel and nine metallic, six special and three matt colours - to the shades of the leather upholstery, the colours of the contrast stitching and the large assortment of choice woods and even the carpets.
| Dimensions and weights | ||
|---|---|---|
| MC Shift | MC Auto Shift | |
| Length | 4881 mm | 4881 mm |
| Width (with side mirrors) | 2056 mm | 2056 mm |
| Width (without side mirrors) | 1915 mm | 1915 mm |
| Height | 1353 mm | 1353 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2942 mm | 2942 mm |
| Front track | 1586 mm | 1586 mm |
| Rear track | 1590 mm | 1590 mm |
| Front overhang | 873 mm | 873 mm |
| Rear overhang | 1066 mm | 1066 mm |
| Turning circle | 10,7 m | 10,7 m |
| Boot capacity | 260 l | 260 l |
| Fuel tank capacity | 86 l | 86 l |
| Dry weight | 1780 kg * | 1780 kg * |
| Kerb weight | 1880 kg * | 1880 kg * |
| * European market version |
| Tyres | ||
|---|---|---|
| MC Shift | MC Auto Shift | |
| Front | 245/35-ZR20 | 245/35-ZR20 |
| Rear | 285/35-ZR20 | 285/35-ZR20 |
| Engine | ||
|---|---|---|
| MC Shift | MC Auto Shift | |
| Automatic transmission | ||
| Number of cylinders and layout | V8 90° | V8 90° |
| Displacement | 4691 cm³ | 4691 cm³ |
| Bore | 94 mm | 94 mm |
| Stroke | 84,5 mm | 84,5 mm |
| Compression ratio | 11,25:1 | 11,25:1 |
| Max. power output | 338 kW (460 hp) | 338 kW (460 hp) |
| Engine speed at max. power output | 7000 rpm | 7000 rpm |
| Peak torque | 520 Nm (53 kgm) | 520 Nm (53 kgm) |
| Engine speed at peak torque | 4750 rpm | 4750 rpm |
| Performance | ||
|---|---|---|
| MC Shift | MC Auto Shift | |
| Maximum speed | 300 km/h (186 mph) | 298 km/h (185 mph) |
| 0 to 100 km/h acceleration | 4,7 s | 4,8 s |
| Fuel consumption (combined cycle) | 15,5 (l/100 km) | 14,3 (l/100 km) |
| CO2 emissions (combined cycle) | 360 (g/km) | 331 (g/km) |
The Sport borrows bits of the MC's styling, including sabre-shaped
inlets at each side below the headlights. The side skirts are more
sculpted and the rear bumper is now home to oval exhaust tips. Inside,
the seats are more slender, giving an extra 2cm of legroom in the back,
and the steering wheel has a flatter bottom. Overall it has more visual
bite than the S, but a touch
less aggression than the MC.
There's an updated MC Shift 'box, which has been around for a while, but this time the software has been altered to bring shift times down to a tenth of a second. It can handle full-throttle changes, but it's a bit of a bully, and, in reality, the torque-converted six-speed auto feels more suited to the car.
The GranTurismo has always been more of a quick tourer than a pointy tearabout. This one's a touch faster, with the extra power bringing the 0-62mph time down to 4.7secs for the MC Shift 'box and 4.8secs for the full auto. It's also a fraction sharper: the continuously adaptive Skyhook suspension is now standard, and thanks to tighter springs and anti-roll bars, it's 10 per cent stiffer. At 1,780kg it's still heavy, but the new Brembos help shrug off more of the bulk than before. Marginal improvements over the S, but we're glad they're here.
On narrow roads, the Sport still feels inhibited, and there's no disguising the weight. But on sweeping tarmac, it's glorious - the sort of car that could scoff a whole country for lunch. And it actually seems to be improving with age, though the dash buttons could do with some rejuvenation. It's still a serious contender against cars like the Aston DB9 or - maybe, just maybe - a Porsche 911. At £90,390 it requires a little more financial commitment. But then...
just look at the thing.
THE NUMBERS
4691cc, V8, RWD, 453bhp, 383lb ft, 19.6mpg,
331g/km CO2, 0-62 in 4.7secs, 185mph, 1780kg
Features and technology are as advanced as you'd hope, too: navigation, Bluetooth, and a Bose audio system are all standard.
less aggression than the MC.
There's an updated MC Shift 'box, which has been around for a while, but this time the software has been altered to bring shift times down to a tenth of a second. It can handle full-throttle changes, but it's a bit of a bully, and, in reality, the torque-converted six-speed auto feels more suited to the car.
The GranTurismo has always been more of a quick tourer than a pointy tearabout. This one's a touch faster, with the extra power bringing the 0-62mph time down to 4.7secs for the MC Shift 'box and 4.8secs for the full auto. It's also a fraction sharper: the continuously adaptive Skyhook suspension is now standard, and thanks to tighter springs and anti-roll bars, it's 10 per cent stiffer. At 1,780kg it's still heavy, but the new Brembos help shrug off more of the bulk than before. Marginal improvements over the S, but we're glad they're here.
On narrow roads, the Sport still feels inhibited, and there's no disguising the weight. But on sweeping tarmac, it's glorious - the sort of car that could scoff a whole country for lunch. And it actually seems to be improving with age, though the dash buttons could do with some rejuvenation. It's still a serious contender against cars like the Aston DB9 or - maybe, just maybe - a Porsche 911. At £90,390 it requires a little more financial commitment. But then...
just look at the thing.
THE NUMBERS
4691cc, V8, RWD, 453bhp, 383lb ft, 19.6mpg,
331g/km CO2, 0-62 in 4.7secs, 185mph, 1780kg
Features and technology are as advanced as you'd hope, too: navigation, Bluetooth, and a Bose audio system are all standard.
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