In 2002, Maserati produced the fifth generation of the Quattroporte. In 2007, Maserati started production on the coupe derived from the Quattroporte body, called the GranTurismo. In 2010, Maserati released a convertible version of the GranTurismo, called the GranCabrio. The GranTurismo is a front-engine, rear-wheel drive, 2+2 grand tourer. The GranTurismo originally came with 4.2L V8, but in 2008, Maserati came out with the GranTurismo S that featured a 4.7L V8.
The GranTurismo and GranCabrio make occasional appearances at Houston Cars and Coffee events. I have seen a few GranTurismos and GranCabrios on the roads of Houston. These cars are beautiful. They are very stylish cars. While interning at Pininfarina, Jason Castriota designed these cars. I have friends who are not car guys, yet they like the styling of Maseratis.
The GranTurismo is powered by a 4.2L V8, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, that produces 400 hp and 340 lb-ft of torque. It goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 177 mph. The GranTurismo S, GranTursimo S Automatic, and GranCabrio are powered by a 4.7L V8 that produces the 434 hp and 360 lb-ft of torque. The GranTurismo S Automatic and GranCabrio come with the six-speed automatic transmission. The GranTurismo S uses a six-speed dual-clutch semi-automatic transmission with paddle shifters. The Gran Cabrio goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 176 mph. The GranTurismo S and S Automatic go from 0 to 60 mph in under 5 seconds and reach a top speed of 181 mph. Prices for the GranTurimo start at $118,900. The GranTurismo S goes for $122,500. The GranCabrio starts at $136,300. The GranTurismo and GranCabrio are great sports car. They do not have the performance of a supercar. The price is fair for high performing sports cars.
The GranCabrio has been reviewd on Fifth Gear and RTL Autowereld. The GranTurismo and its variants have been featured on Reaper, Motorweek, Clarkson: Thriller, A Gifted Man, RTL Autowereld, Auto Esporte, Amazing Race, Top Gear Australia, LOpuKHI, and Fifth Gear. Top Gear featured the car during Series 6, Episode 5. The GranCabrio is playable in Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit. The GranTurismo and its variants are playable in Driver: San Francisco, Need For Speed: Hot Pursuit, Forza Motorsport 2, Forza Motorsport 3, Forza Motorsport 4, Need For Speed: Shift, Shift 2: Unleashed, and Gran Turismo 5.
Final Thoughts: These are fast, highly stylish grand tourers. The GranTurismo and GranCabrio do not have the performance of a super car. The price is fair for these cars. Jason Castriota did a great job designing these cars and I cannot wait to see how he designed the SSC Tuatara. If these cars were faster and had more power, they would be competing against Ferrari. I do not think that Fiat wants Maserati and Ferrari competing against each other. Ferrari and Maserati were once rivals, now they are both owned by Fiat. The GranTurismo and GranCabrio are good alternatives to a Ferrari, but they do not match the prestige nor the performance of a Ferrari. However, Maseratis are $100,000 less than the Ferrari 458 and $200,000 less than the Ferrari 599 GTB. If you want a high performing sports car, then go with a Maserati. If you want something Italian and can go over 190 mph, then go with a Ferrari.
CarJunkie
Photos taken from a camera phone.
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