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The GranTurismo S Automatic continues the unique style of the GranTurismo
range. The car's lines were designed to lead the eye fluidly over its curves,
from the low front end to the sweeping rear.
A chrome Trident logo is
suspended in the center of the concave vertical slats of the front grille. The
headlights are aggressive jewels flanking the traditional long, low hood. The
grille's classic 'V' point is a feature that is echoed throughout the car.
The three chrome-profiled air vents set behind the front wheels lend the
GranTurismo an even more vibrant feel. Moving around the GranTurismo, the oval
version of the Maserati logo (known as 'Saetta') stands out behind the side
windows. And at the rear are the taillight clusters, each featuring distinctive,
bright LEDs in a daring triangle. Wide aerodynamic diffusers sit under the
bumper, framed by pronounced exhaust pipes.
The Interior of the
Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic
The GranTurismo S Automatic's cabin
mirrors the true identity of the new Maserati coupé. Luxurious touches have been
taken up a notch, and there is a sumptuous feel to the interior, an interior
that offers an even wider range of personalization options.
The driver
and passengers will enjoy being in a refined cabin that has been created using
time-honored techniques used by skilled craftsmen.
Poltrona Frau supplies
the supple leather found inside. This superbly finished leather is the result of
attentive selection and special treatment. The front sport seats are roomy and
can be controlled electronically while the 'Easy Entry' system shifts both seats
to make entrance and egress hassle free.
Unique in its class, the
GranTurismo also offers genuine seating for four adults, allowing the driver to
share the experience of traveling as only a Maserati can provide.
The
advanced Bose Surround Sound audio system adds to the elevated quality of life
on board. The eleven speakers have been designed especially for the car's
interior and deliver concert hall levels of performance. The hard-drive based
navigation system is standard, complete with Bluetooth, iPod integration, 30GB
of storage space for music, and is pre-wired for Sirius satellite radio.
The sizeable trunk can hold two regular-sized golf bags or the set of five
leather suitcases created by Salvatore Ferragamo exclusively for the GranTurismo.
The Engine, Transmission, Chassis and Suspension
The Maserati
GranTurismo S Automatic is driven by an eight cylinder, 4,691 cc V90° engine
that develops 433 hp at 7,000 rpm and produces a maximum torque of 361 lb-ft at
4,750 rpm. The timing is controlled by two overhead camshafts per bank and four
valves per cylinder with hydraulic tappets. The overhead camshafts on the
aspirated side are controlled by low pressure, continual phase valve timing with
actuation times of less than 0.15 seconds.
The increased power and torque
is due to higher displacement and the exhaust valves controlled by the driver.
Pressing the 'Sport' button on the dash opens the valves to allow the exhaust to
escape more quickly; the lower back-pressure allows the engine to reach its peak
power output of 433 hp.
The GT soul of the GranTurismo S Automatic shines
through with the six-speed automatic transmission, created by German
transmission specialists ZF and tuned specifically for Maserati. The effect of
the self-adapting automatic transmission is especially felt at low to medium
revs but still grants immediate power delivery higher up the rev range, and
allows changes to be made at the 7,200 rpm redline - a rate that no other
automatic transmission in the class can equal.
There are four functional
modes: Auto Normal is for comfortable cruising, Auto Sport is for those who like
a sportier ride, Auto ICE is for low grip conditions, and then there is Manual
mode. In Manual it is the driver who chooses when to change gears via the shift
paddles mounted on the steering column.
The Maserati GranTurismo S
Automatic reacts brilliantly thanks to its unique weight distribution: 49% of
the car's mass sits over the front end and 51% on the rear. This setup was
achieved by shifting the engine behind the front axle and it gives the driver an
unparalleled sense of balance and response.
The load-bearing chassis
means greater rigidity and its high-resistance, box-steel structure allows the
suspension to better track the road. This enhances the car's dynamic handling
while also providing a more comfortable drive.
The Maserati GranTurismo S
Automatic's precise handling benefits from a front and rear wishbone suspension.
The system's 'anti-dive' and 'anti-squat' geometry limits the front dipping
under braking and the rear end squatting under acceleration.
The
GranTurismo S Automatic comes with the Skyhook system as standard. This
technology uses shock absorbers with an aluminum body to continually adjust the
damping rate. Skyhook automatically selects the optimal level of damping and
integrates with the MSP (Maserati Stability Program) safety system and the
calibration of the car's automatic transmission. The result is that the car is
able to adapt to the characteristics of each driver; the GranTurismo is a car
that fits like a glove.
Additional Options
For the
GranTurismo range, Maserati offers a personalization program that is unlike any
other in the world. This program has been developed with the objective of
allowing each client to create a made-to-measure GranTurismo S Automatic, a car
that is the maximum expression of each client's taste and style.
The
client can opt for one of ten colors of Poltrona Frau leather, thirteen possible
colors for the stitching, seven for the carpets (including two new colors: Red
and Bordeaux) and three types of prestigious wood (Walnut, Rosewood or the new
polished Wenge); the variety on offer can render the cabin of each GranTurismo S
Automatic one-of-a-kind.
On the exterior, wheel rim designs come in three
finishes and clients can choose from six colors for the brake calipers.
The 'MC Sport Line' personalization range is designed to emphasize Maserati's
sporting heritage. It is dedicated to clients who want to exhibit their sporting
passion with advanced technical solutions.
The name 'MC Sport Line' fully
captures the experience gained on the track by the Maserati Corse technicians
who designed the components. The Modenese company's racing pedigree is evident
from the carbon fiber construction of many of the Sport Line pieces.
The Maserati Atelier
Visitors to the Modena, Italy headquarters of
Maserati can make the most of expert help in creating their dream car by using
the Atelier Maserati, just like they would for a suit styled by a master tailor.
The Atelier provides examples of the available options for the interior
thanks to a special table showing color samples of the leathers, the carpets,
the stitching and the finishes. Clients can also browse colors for the interior
and exterior and see and even feel for themselves how the different materials
combine with one another, allowing them to check the options selected on the Car
Configurator.
Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications