BACK TO ROOTS
Although the public often associates Maserati with "sport" and that the rival Ferrari seem any designated, it is necessary to keep in mind that reality Maserati in years 60 and 70 under the leadership of Giulio Alfieri had referred the true Grand Touring : performance, with the art and in a subtle way compromise that still goes to school. The last Granturismo away from the sportsmanship of his cousins exacerbated Maranello to reconnect with the Grand Touring of yesteryear ...

Text: Gabriel LESSARD - Pictures: DR

During the first tests press, those responsible for communication Maserati had clearly shown the color, "the GranSport, albeit oldest remains that the new sports GranTurismo. The latter announces a new turn for the brand to Trident with a desire to reconcile Sports daily. " A "new turn"? This ignores somewhat turbulent history of the brand founded by the Maserati brothers who will then create Osca once they had to get rid of their first adventure. During the 60 years, a talented engineer, Giulio Alfieri talent combined with innovation and conservatism. Innovation is a competition reserved including the Maserati "Birdcage", while the series has n'al'autorisation receive classic: Dion axle including the Ghibli. Thus, with a controlled and classical technique, Alfieri is a meme to offer Maserati road ease of driving a disconcerting time or Ferrari and Lamborghini must be domptées even a low speed. Although sports, Maserati under Alfieri ere are the best representatives of a genre with a Grand Touring Giugiaro particularly inspired to pencils. While Maserati speaks to us today new guidelines for its last GranTurismo, we will return to our sources…

DESIGN

If within 60 years had chaired Giorgetto Giugiaro to design moult Maserati road, GranTurismo is now opens Pininfarina. After the first surprise, especially after the saga of the 3200 GT, and GranSport Coupe, it appreciates the work of the Italian master. Based on a platform longest, Pininfarina has arrived create a sports line allowing an occupant 2 +2. Long hood with a boss central to the way a Jaguar XK8 mk1, then the passenger stretch with a cut glass stretched and elegant. The amount of custode resumed ever seen a drawing on the latest Maserati with the Trident
Affixed. Then he came to die on a small rear trunk. The wings are galbéesa both at qu'al'arriere desire to spread a certain power suggested. The stern receives lights drawing unprecedented for a Maserati, but those close to the latest Mondeo, but all make an impression with two doubles exhausts. The bow has taken the principle of concave grille bardée of Trident. An evocation of Maserati A6GCS in 1953, for which Pininfarina had already crafted with talent. The blocks optical stretched seems to give a glance at the pleated GranTurismo and contribute to impose his physical in your mirror. History hide his new proportions, while 19-inch wheels are standard, we can opt for the 20-inch option! Maserati This leaves no one indifferent and see evolve over the range in the rolling sculptures in drawings. The games are amazing lights and put its forms in value. The cabin is in the same vein with a saddlery a real looker leather Poltrona Frau. Finishing General has made tremendous progress even though there are still a few details goodbye. The standard equipment is generous, even though we recognize some commodos appliances and cars from roturieres. Habitability is unrelated to the GranSport, although the major gauges to be al'étroit rear seats whose seat is also a little short. We must see more of places appoints or for children, provided they bear not to have a true lateral field of vision to the outside. Behind the multifunction steering wheel, we find the pallets that can drive the car then the box of tools combined with a graduated tachymetre up 320 km / h and a revolution whose red zone starts a 7500 rpm. A last important detail, the little clock is always the classic, almost an anachronism inescapable on a Maserati, as modern as it…

ENGINE
The V8, which is hidden under the long hood is already an acquaintance, it is taken from the Quattroporte sedan. The V8 has 90 ° 4.2-litre is placed back of the front wheels, in a central position before then. A real piece of goldsmiths mechanics, this V8 has been "programmed" to emphasize the couple and flexibility a pure performance. With a switch 7200 rpm, 46.9 mkg torque in addition to the auto box has 6 reports (resumption of the Maserati Quattroporte) arrive with sweetness and delight. For those who enjoyed the rage of the GranSport that could tame handful of law must be ironed, it is clearly in the minds Grand Touring. Besides the competing confess GranTurismo called the Bentley Continental GT, Mercedes CL500 and BMW 6 Series. Do not, however, believe that the GT does not because its 405 hp to allow a maximum speed of 288 km / h, a 0 to 100 km / h in less than 6 seconds and a departure km stopped in 25.2 seconds. Between its automatic imposed its softness and performance, despite a sport (20% response al'accélérateur faster and more mailbox management "sports) available at the push of a button, is truly loyal GranTurismo has its name. The Americans will love (this is already done!), and their enthusiasm for Maserati dictated philosophy of this new venue. Moreover, 75% of the Quattroporte is equipped with the auto box since it available evidence of the ever-increasing demand of customers for this type of transmission. It is no longer inspired by the Cambiocorsa F1 Ferrari box but an automatic transmission with torque converter. Well for comfort, less for sport .

FRAME

Although claiming cut, it was on the platform shortened by the Quattroporte sedan that is based GranTurismo. Between which of the box, V8 and its chassis, the Quattroporte is the latest addition qu'inspirer born Maserati. Fully aluminium, she marries and légereté rigidity. A weight yet on the scale is being misdiagnosed with nearly 1.9 tons. Well, compared with more than 2 tons of a Bentley Continental GT Speed, the Maserati pass almost for a featherweight. Printing confirmed at the wheel by the grace of an active suspension Skyhook (optional), which allows to provide a real comfort style regulations and urban areas. This despite the series tires in size and low in large at 245/40 R19 and 285/40 R19 rear. Thus endowed, the Maserati is a very evenly balanced behavior, a nose and precise enough bite and a rear axle very rigorous. Lovers of the ardour of "ancient" biturbo or more recently GranSport will have to turn elsewhere. When we decided to support the "sport" suspension is tough to secure a holding cap and a seamless roll master. The enchainement long curves merely put forward the balance of the fine. Do not wait for it instead of making sparks on the runway "club" of a circuit, the punishment meted out to this noble GT might be crushing and unbearable. Just like when BMW introduced the press at the time, the 850i circuit. Now, we will say, a sporty GT is a long-term rather than a sporting champion of the race. While Maserati A6GCS of 1953 which claimed the GranTurismo patronime possessed the "GT" to serve a pure sport that allowed many to make a race of gentlemen and then go to park at the casino, the new production of Maserati will be the whim of n'aller that casino, or offering a new way of life the blue ribbon. Calm, luxury and voluptuousness? Almost, but rugissements the V8 in the vicinity of the red zone and the powerful deceleration authorized by the four disc brakes has drilled and ventilated pinched by a 4-piston calipers are to honour a reputation "sport" of the brand in trident . A "sport" is now under control as evidenced by its MSP system not switched off entirely (ESP way Maserati). Another philosophy of sport ...

Conclusion
You are fundamentalist and fan of envôlées berlinetta a lyric or a sports coupe. You want to fight a little with the hoop and're ready for some concessions for more sport? Only then your journey because the Maserati GranTurismo is primarily intended for aesthetes of long journeys combining art and manner. The performances are, and style, but everything is under control and effective. A new direction for that Maserati has finally returned a concept that fit its strength in the years 60 and 70. Now, certainly, you will not have a heart creve choose between a Maserati and Ferrari. This will be the GranTurismo for every day, and the F430 for the Scurderia weekend circuit ...

114280 euros (01/12/2007)

TECHNICAL CHARACTERISTICS MASERATI GRANTURISMO
ENGINE
Type: 90 ° V8, 32-valve
Position: longitudinal central AV
Power: Managing Electronic.
Displacement in cm3: 4 244
Bore x stroke: 92 x 79.8
Power : 405CH at 7100rpm.
Output per litre in HP DIN: 95.42
Maximum torque : 46.9mkg at 4750 rpm

TRANSMISSION
Rear + self ZF has strips (25% and 40% surge in restraint) + MSP semi-switched off.
Gearbox (reports): 6-speed automatic.
WEIGHT
Data manufacturer kg: 1 880
Report weight / power kg / hp DIN: 4.64.
WHEELS
Brakes: 2 ventilated and perforated discs (330 mm) + 4-piston fixed calipers and 2 AV ventilated and perforated discs (330 mm) + 4-piston fixed calipers AR + ABS.
Tires: AV 245/40 R 19 and AR 285/40 R 19.
PERFORMANCES
Maximum speed in km / h: 285
400 m in seconds DA: ND
DA 1000 m in seconds: 25.2
0 to 100 km / h: 5.2
0 to 200 km / h: ND
Average consumption: 14.3 L/100 km on average