Autoblog

First there was the Maserati Gran Turismo. Then came the Gran Turismo S. Then came spy shots of a Gran Turismo Spyder. And now we have spy shots of a low-down, one-seater, roll-cage and plexiglass-window equipped Gran Turismo Trophy edition sporting three huge holes in its hood. The Trophy version is said to have 413 hp, which is down from the 440 hp of the S -- but it would also be a lot lighter. Claimed to have a new ECU and exhaust, the car gets from zero to 62 mph in just four seconds. As best we can tell from the translation, this naked Gran Turismo Trophy edition is meant to compete with the Porsche GT3, or to compete in a U.S. racing series. While we find those possibilities a little odd, they must have built it to compete with something, and no matter what that something is, we say bring it... Follow the link for more spy shots of the race-ready Maser.

[Source: Autofun via Auto Blog Italy (no relation)]

Click above to watch the video

Try as we might, there are just some things that words just cannot express. For automotive enthusiasts like us, those things usually have four wheels and, more often than not, come from Italy. Take the Maserati GranTurismo, which only grew more desirable in our eyes with the addition of the 4.7-liter V8 from the even more luscious Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. We could gladly write all day about its achingly gorgeous lines and impeccable attention to detail, to say nothing of the rip-roaring powertrain, but we just couldn't do it justice. And so we bring you this video, which you can watch after the jump. Enjoy.

[Source: Maserati]

Click above image for a high-res gallery of the Maserati Gran Turismo S.

As we reported it would be last week, the Maserati Gran Turismo S was on it's way to Geneva and we've finally had some time to caress it with our lens. Featuring the same 4.7-liter 440HP V8 engine developed for the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, this updated Maser won't take a backseat to its pricier and swoopier cousin any more. Okay, maybe it will considering it actually HAS a backseat. The upgraded engine is mated to an electro-actuated MC-Shift gearbox mounted on the rear transaxle for optimized weight distribution and faster shifting times. Maserati even put a demo version on display with the car so we could see the improvements firsthand. Going is one thing, stopping another. To that end, Brembo has supplied an upsized brake package, the same one in fact, that is seen on the Quattroporte Sport GT S. It features those trick front brakes that are dual-cast iron/aluminum discs gripped by six-piston aluminum calipers. As you can see from the live images we've added to the gallery, the new wheels, badges and leather/Alcantara interior make this GranTurismo S stand out even when it's standing still. We were just starting to see some of the "regular" GTs on the road, and now Maserati has upped the ante. Honestly, this is what the car should have been all along. Now they just need to develop the convertible to match the recently unveiled 8C pop-top.

Check the full press release after the jump.

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]