Updated May 25, 2023

Maserati GranTurismo: out of the shadows

By Shana Devleschoudere
Share on Share on Linkedin
Maserati

Maserati

After several years under the tutelage of its historic rival Ferrari, Maserati has regained its creative freedom. It has ambition, and resources. If that wasn't clear enough with the superlative MC20, the new GranTurismo makes it clear what the ultimate target is...

With the recent Grecale SUV, Maserati is unambiguously taking on Porsche. Whether in terms of its dimensions or the way in which the range is presented (soon to be complemented by a 100% electric version), the model aims to strike at both the Macan and the Cayenne. And the Grecale shows that Maserati is now on a par with the German brand, in terms of performance, technology and quality of finish. With these facts in mind, we were introduced to the new GranTurismo. And naively, we asked Maserati's management if the GranTurismo was indeed a rival to the 911. The answer took us by surprise. "No, 911 customers are very specific, and are looking for something very specific. The GranTurismo is for those who don't want to wait three years for... a Ferrari Roma." There, I've said it. Maserati is no longer under Ferrari's thumb, and intends to once again become its toughest competitor. As was the case in competition from the 1930s to the 1950s, and as was the case in the world of luxury GTs from the 1940s until Maserati's decline in the 1970s.

Duly noted

Trying out the GranTurismo in the light of this statement was extremely revealing. Because, indeed, everything fits. First, the car'saesthetics: a design that's both simple and sensual, unflashy yet full of seduction. In short, everything you'd expect from a pure Italian sports car. The interior boasts the same level of quality and technology as the Grecale, but above all a luxurious, elegant and dolce vita. An ambience we tend to prefer to that of the Roma, because we feel that for almost twenty years, the brand has drawn too much inspiration from the racing world in everything it does. The approach makes sense in hyper-sporty models, but lacks coherence in a car with a "Grand Touring" spirit, a fortiori when the exterior lines are very glamorous. In this respect, then, the GranTurismo is more harmonious. What's more, the Maserati can really be enjoyed with family or friends, as it boasts real rear seats, welcoming and very reasonably comfortable, where the Ferrari, like the 911 orAstonMartinDB11 for that matter, make do with seats that are almost a deterrent. Of course, rational aspects are not enough to tackle the "Cavallino". For all this is nothing without a driving experience worthy of the name...

Complete

Maserati

Maserati's answer to the Roma's 620 hp V8 is its fantastic new 3-liter Nettuno V6, which develops 550 hp in the GranTurismo Trofeo (490 in the Modena). On paper, the difference in power is considerable, yet the two rivals' performances are similar, to within a few kilometers/hour of each other in the top speed range, or a few tenths of a second in the 0 to 100 km/hsprint. The Maserati V6 has nothing to be ashamed of in terms of character or musicality, and above all, it's served by a top-flight chassis. Better still, the Maserati displays very different personalities depending on the driving mode chosen: gentle and discreet in "Comfort" mode, it becomes increasingly expressive, racy and playful as you select "GT", "Sport" and "Corsa" modes. GT it is, GT it stays. In other words, it never veers into radicalism that's hard to master. But it's sure to get your adrenalin pumping! One of the most complete GTs on the market today, the Maserati GranTurismo starts at 182,000 euros. The Trofeo version costs 227,300 euros excluding options. Which is - strangely enough - 10,000 euros more than the price of a Ferrari Roma, excluding options. Let's face it, Maserati is in top form!

Article written by Stéphane Lémeret, published on Eventail.be. Find other articles on gastronomy, gotha, art and culture, fashion, decoration, heritage and entrepreneurship at www.eventail.be.