GranTurismo: Maserati releases details
Click on the image above for high-resolution
It's been a regular Maserati love-in over here these past few days. First we got a teaser sketch of the coupe designed by Pininfarina. Then the Trident marque gave us three images of the stunning new GranTurismo in advance of its Geneva debut. Then we brought you the MC12 XX by Edo Competition. And now Maserati has hit us with the press release for the GranTurismo and an additional profile shot. It must be Christmas time for fans of the house that Alfieri built.
The press release confirms certain details about the stylish new coupe and reveals others. The 4.2-liter V8, derived from the Ferrari-designed engine in the Quattroporte, gets a power spike of 9 horsepower up to 405. It's driving through a fully automatic gearbox – presumably the new ZF unit recently placed in the Quattroporte – but we'd speculate the paddle-shifted sequential will find its way in their eventually despite the anticipated availability of paddle shifters on the torque-converting auto-box. Weight is distributed, as reported, in an ideal 49/51 rear bias. The styling was penned by Pininfarina's American wonderboy Jason Castriota, the same guy responsible for the design of the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano and the custom Enzo-based P4/5 one-off.
The GranTurismo's launch at this year's Geneva show marks the (approximate) 60th anniversary of the launch of Maserati's first road car, the original Gran Turismo, which was also designed by Pinin Farina (in an era when words were separated by spaces).
Follow the jump for the press release, or click on the gallery below, where we've added the new profile shot seen above.
[Source: Maserati]
Gallery: 2007 Maserati GranTurismo
PRESS RELEASE:
Maserati GranTurismo
Worldwide preview at the Geneva Motorshow.
Modena – 20th February 2007. The new Maserati GranTurismo, styled by Pininfarina, makes its worldwide debut at the Geneva Motorshow.
The Maserati GranTurismo is a muscular and sporty car, that can be enjoyed every day and a the same time is engaging for the driver. Its excellent handling and sportiveness makes it a point of reference in its category. The Maserati GranTurismo is built with particular attention to comfort, choice of materials and details and with enough room for four people, as only Maserati can do.
The new Maserati GranTurismo is a high-performance sports car, exciting to drive with a 4.2 liter V8 engine, delivering 405 HP, and a weight distribution of 49% at the front and 51% at the rear. It is fitted with an automatic gearbox and equipped with an adaptive control system which adjusts the gear-shifting mode to the driving style and the driving conditions.
Maserati's tradition of the Gran Turismo concept dates back to 1947 when the Trident Company, following its clients' demand, unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show its first Gran Turismo. It was designed by the great Pinin Farina, and based on the racing chassis of the A6. It was the first Maserati road car and was produced in 58 units. The car was acclaimed by the automotive press for its advanced technical content and for its avant-garde style solutions.
The new model name – Maserati GranTurismo – is not incidental. Once again, the partnership between Maserati and Pininfarina gives birth to a car that is able to generate emotions and sets itself apart from competitors, due to the technique with which it is built and its unique style.
The new Maserati GranTurismo represents a further step towards the completion of the Trident product range, following the worldwide launch of the Quattroporte Automatic at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
David Wiles 8:05PM (2/20/2007)
delicious and, from the b-pillar forward, better looking than any current front-engine Ferrari
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download75 8:44PM (2/20/2007)
I never pay any attention to any Maserati car before.
But this is going to change.
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NoNameDenton 8:42PM (2/20/2007)
Sing me up for one with the new automatic so I can test it out, and then give me the money to make it even faster
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jmchase76 8:48PM (2/20/2007)
Is it just me, or does this car look like a more refined (and expensive) Rx-8 from the side? Look everything from the back of the windows to the rear bumper, and then look at the bulges over the front wheels.
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Michael Karesh 9:17PM (2/20/2007)
I've never been a fan of the current Maserati coupe, the profile looks hunchbacked.
This, on the other hand, is stunning.
In other words, the Italians have now responded to Aston Martin's Vantage.
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Michael Karesh 9:30PM (2/20/2007)
Taking a step back, is this a replacement for the current coupe or an addition to the line, priced considerably higher than the current coupe?
Now that I've gotten over the initial shock--much better looking than the current coupe--my eye keeps getting drawn to the only thing I don't like: the wide Eclipse-like wheel-lips, especially the rear one.
Can't blame them for the Stingray influence. It's an iconic design, for good reason.
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claytablet 9:43PM (2/20/2007)
"which was also designed by Pinin Farina (in an era when words were separated by spaces)"
I don't know if you're being sarcastic or just don't know, but pininfarina was started by a man called 'Pinin' Farina, acknowledged as one of the greatest stylists ever, hence the space in the press release.
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harry 10:30PM (2/20/2007)
Very nice but the tailights look like the Ford Escort ZX2. Works on the Maserati though. Similar to the tailghits on the current MB SL lood like the Grand Am. Again, works for Mercedes.
http://www.theautochannel.com/media/photos/ford/1998/98_ford_escort_zx2_2.jpg
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Car Guy 10:38PM (2/20/2007)
Never understood what the attraction to Maseratis was until now. Absolutely stunning...
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NvRLift 11:06PM (2/20/2007)
In general, I have become less and less interested in front engine GTs (Vantage, XKR, 599, 8C, vette, et al). They all have a vaguely similar quality to them, which I guess they should because mechanically they are not dissimilar. Also, they seem to be increasing biased toward luxury which adds weight and as such they seem to lack true sports car verve. On the other hand we are talking about GTs. This Maser, however, is a nice design, though admittedly I was a little let down after having seen the sketchs.
Anyone else think that it is absolutely ridiculous that this car is auto only? Completely ruins the appeal for me.
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mk 12:33AM (2/21/2007)
I hate to think that I am the only one who thinks that this and the Ferrari 599 (from the same designer) are a little awkward?
Not ugly, and certainly striking, granted.
But the lines just look odd. a narrow waist at the base of the A-pillar, which is a bit further forward than usual, a quick arch transition, almost a peak in the upper window line, again forward of where it usually would be... dissimilar roof line to the side glass lines, and a slightly disconcerting mix of lines vs curves...
Don't get me wrong, I have seen worse... some modern BMWs come to mind... but this just doesn't seem as timeless and purely designed as the Aston Martins, Porsche 997, or Alfa 8C competizione.
I like it. but I have seen purer, more beautiful designs... The P4/5 one-off was purer, and designed by the same american designer as this, and the 599. The Maserati Birdcage concept was a more graceful design, as well, and didn't mix elements like this car does.
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david M 1:17AM (2/21/2007)
gorgeous - but obvious echoes of the f360/f430. LOVE the s2000-esque nose/lights
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Nigolusa 12:54AM (2/21/2007)
After anticipating for so long, my first impression, ODD. Just plain and simply ODD. Not what I expected at all. I was waiting for the design to take my breath away. The 2009 Camaro took my breath away. This is a mish mash of design ideas that looks proportionally odd.
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Tiago do Vale 1:08AM (2/21/2007)
Brutal!
It's rare to see a car with such an amount of personality!
This design isn't like Astons or Porsches: great, smoth, clean and balanced designs. Competent designs, but maybe a bit anonymous in the huge (future) history of car design.
This is about density, emotion, risk, flaws, amazement, character, elegance and fireworks: that's what makes an "odd" but imortal design.
Did you notice I liked it? :p
I have my eyes on a different car, but this one is a nice piece, for sure. :)
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Ben 7:12AM (2/21/2007)
Weird proportions.
Do this---look at the picture and imagine it without the roof (block it out with your finger or something). It would be *beautiful* as a convertible.
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Daniel 8:14AM (2/21/2007)
It's not a beauty. Too japanese looking.
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Eric B 8:21AM (2/21/2007)
Nice adaptation of the Birdcage concept front end on this coupe - the fish mouth is just a little too big and just a little too forward, and I would've liked a bit more rake to the rear glass to make it flow better from the side window's top lines. Overall, I like it, but it's like the 599GTB: striking, but taken 5% too far.
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John C. 9:03AM (2/21/2007)
I like the subtle integration of a Maserati "trident" into the design of the wheels.
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gerard Vandenberg 12:53PM (2/21/2007)
The front of the car is really superb and so fantastic but the back is not real Italian but a bit Jaguar/Ford/English. If only the lights(on the back) were round ones like an 'old'Ferrari, than the car would really be completely finished!
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Nastinupe 4:32PM (2/21/2007)
This car is beautiful... however, if the technology is anything like the 4 door, then I would not pay this type of money for it. I drove a quattroporte a couple of weeks ago and it was not all that impressive. It had a navi display that looked 5 years old, no blue tooth, a below average sound system, a loud engine with an unattractive exhaust note, lack of Mercedesesque safety features, and a lack of BMWesque driving spirit.
The only thing that I liked about the car was the fit and finish. You could tell that it was high quality and the fact that the styling was unique.
This car looks like the RX-8's long lost brother that went to Harvard.
I'd take a Aston Martin V8 Vantage over this car any day of the week... but then again, I have never test drove an Aston Martin. So I may be dissapointed with that as well.
Just my 2 cents
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