Maserati GranTurismo S

Jonny Lieberman
by Jonny Lieberman

It's like Maserati read our minds. We, meaning pistonhead with a pulse, love the way Maser's new DuoPorte looks. Long, lean, sharkish, rakish, classic, chiseled, sexy, hot and on and on we could go. But with "only" 405 horses pumping-out of its detuned (and carried over) Ferrari heart, the GranTurismo was a case of more show than go. (That's less mojo than a Corvette, don't you know.) Basta! No more. Fiat's sports car group has crammed its 4.7-liter V8 under the Maser's hood, boosting power up to a highly respectable 440 hp. We like that. The transmission has also been re-jigged for faster shifts and the brakes are dual-cast (steel and aluminum) Brembos squeezed by six-piston calipers. Subtle exterior and interior tweaks abound (like Poltrona Frau leather). About time too.

Jonny Lieberman
Jonny Lieberman

Cleanup driver for Team Black Metal V8olvo.

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  • Brian E Brian E on Feb 26, 2008

    I'm sorry, but I don't dig this at all. I'm sure the engine and transmisison are nice, but I can't stand the visual changes inside or out. Those rims are just wrong, especially given that the normal car comes with the absolutely gorgeous wheels from the Birdcage concept. The new seats are hideous. Maybe these photos are just not flattering the car.

  • Redbarchetta Redbarchetta on Feb 26, 2008

    Seats with suede inserts, a bitch to keep clean, my Alfa had them. Comfy but dirt loves them. Great look except for the rather large mouth, not that I would kick it out of my garage.

  • Ole Ole on Feb 26, 2008

    Wow, gorgeous! And 440hp is sweet. As is faster shifting... Best feature of the GT over the QP - dual cup holders :)

  • DearS DearS on Feb 27, 2008

    Dual-Clutch before Ferrari, so I here. I wonder if Ferrari is so souped up on their own F1 type tranny that they'd ignore a Dual-Clutch. Dual-Clutch vs. F1 style, I wonder the parody. What ever, I'm yet in the market for one of those (no money) anyhow. I'm better of making the best of my 325 in every day driving for the time being. I want a nimbler car (issue of narrow + heavy + weak front dynamics), with more elegant suspension dynamics (heavy trailing arm), a more engaging tranny (sluggish auto) and more opulent seating. This Maserati is a bit different than my E30 325is, yet more similar than different. Perhaps the long wheelbase is worth my time, I wonder. um....A 735i or 740i may work as well...huhh...I wonder.

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