Following yesterday's reports, Maserati has released official details and images of the new GranTurismo S ahead of its unveiling in Geneva next week.
As reported, the S version benefits from the same 4.7-liter 440hp V8 engine which Maserati developed for the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. The more powerful engine is mated to an electro-actuated MC-Shift gearbox mounted on the rear transaxle for optimized weight distribution and faster shifting times. The extra power is kept in check by the Brembo braking system first used on the Quattroporte Sport GT S, featuring front brakes with dual-cast iron/aluminum discs and six-pot aluminum calipers. As you can see from the official images we've added to the gallery below, the GranTurismo S also benefits from some subtle visual tweaks, including new wheels, and a leather & Alcantara-trimmed interior with sport buckets.
Given the impression the GranTurismo made at its debut at last year's show, we can't wait to get our lenses on the new GranTurismo S.
[Source: Maserati]
PRESS RELEASE
Maserati presents the GranTurismo S
Modena - February 26th, 2008. A year after the unveiling of the GranTurismo, Maserati will be back at the Geneva International Motorshow with yet another world premiere, the GranTurismo S. The ultimate expression of the Trident coupé's sportiness shifts the emphasis onto performance and driving enjoyment.
Two main novelties are at the heart of the new Maserati: the 440 HP V8 4.7 engine and the electro-actuated gearbox with fast MC-Shift arranged in the Transaxle layout typical of high-performance sports cars that represents the technological DNA of all Maseratis.
The GranTurismo S makes use of the high-performance brake system developed in collaboration with Brembo and introduced for the first time in the automotive field on the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S. The system features front brake discs made with dual-cast technology - a dual casting of cast iron and aluminum, paired with aluminum mono-bloc 6-piston brake calipers, ensuring optimized braking performance.
On the exterior the Maserati GranTurismo S is characterised by a number of aesthetic modifications that, although discrete, are highly effective and make the car body appear sportier without abandoning the sleekness of the lines masterfully designed by Pininfarina.
The interior upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather and Alcantara reflects the sporty flair of the Maserati GranTurismo S; the figure-hugging front and rear seats are distinguished by their new dynamic design with horizontal piping on the seats and seatbacks
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Richard @ Feb 26th 2008 9:08AM
Ewww!
Careful, that's getting a little Fisker-esque (Aston, Jaguar) in the rear.
Not that Henrick doesn't design a beautiful back end, just that a Maser should definitely not look derivative!
Franz @ Feb 26th 2008 9:10AM
Those are "sport buckets"? There's hardly any lateral support on those seats. Not a bad looking car though.
broosewee @ Feb 26th 2008 9:39AM
Those seats looks out of place on a car like this. Straight out of the 80s pretty much. Hopefully they're more comfy than they look.
FThorn @ Feb 26th 2008 9:37AM
Those seats remind me of 70s Camaros.
http://www.universalautosalesandclassiccars.com/images/1971%20Camaro/71CamaroInterior.jpg.JPG
Barrie Lovelock @ Feb 26th 2008 12:02PM
Hunkered down and beasty, the cills make a dramatic difference to the stance, not sure about the Jag spoiler and still not sold on the rear lights but can't wait to get one.
Sub 4.9 to 60mph, around 185 mph, 100 millisecs gear change and sounds like a banshie and with the new Bilsteins will grip like s... to a blanket. Can't see anything on the market to compete with it, 612 maybe at twice the price?
Bruxell @ Feb 26th 2008 12:32PM
The car looks hot, and should finally go like a Maserati... it's just a shame that they had to build it as an Alfa first.
Korona @ Feb 26th 2008 11:25PM
Beautiful wheels, make the car much more interesting.
blake @ Feb 27th 2008 1:54AM
...i just can't turn away. that s.o.b. is sex on wheels.