(continued)
400 hp V8 Engine
The Maserati GranSport’s normally aspirated 4,244 cm3 V8 has all the structure
of the most advanced racing engines with dry sump lubrication and twin overhead
camshafts per cylinder bank with four valves per cylinder hydraulic tappets. The
intake cams also feature variable phase timing.
Its maximum power delivery has been upped from the original 390 hp to 400 hp
too, thanks to special development work to reduce internal attrition and careful
work on the intake manifolds and valve seats. The engine has been combined with
a sports exhaust system that is instantly recognizable, thanks to the unusual
design of its twin chrome exhausts and was designed to give enthusiasts that
instantly recognizable deep, full-bodied rumble. Thanks to an electronically
controlled pneumatic valve system, even more can be made of the exhaust by
pressing the “Sport“ button on the central console too.
Cambiocorsa Transmission
The Maserati GranSport is available only with the six-speed electro-hydraulic
transmission in which the gears are changed using paddles mounted behind the
steering wheel, a feature that further enhances the car’s sporty personality.
The Cambiocorsa systems allows drivers to choose between various gear shifting
modes (Normal, Sport, Automatic and Low Grip), and in the case of the Maserati
GranSport , is controlled by specific software. Even with respect to already
very highly developed Coupe Cambiocorsa system, the Sport mode in the GranSport
offers 35% faster gear changing on average and also boasts automatic heeling and
toeing to make dropping down a gear even faster. Thanks to the new Cambiocorsa
software, the Maserati GranSport can sprint a whole kilometer from standstill in
a breathtaking 23 seconds flat.
The gear shift ratios are specific too, with the adoption of a sixth gear that
is 5% longer, which, in combination with its more powerful engine and improved
aerodynamics, allows the Maserati GranSport to improve on the already blistering
speeds of the Coupe, delivering a dizzying top speed of 180 mph.
As with the other models in the Maserati range, the driver can choose between
two levels of gear changing. Normal mode is more comfortable and typical of
Grand Tourer driving, while with a touch of the Sport button on the central
console they get to feel the true power of the car. The Sport mode delivers much
faster gear changing, a deeper exhaust sound and less invasive use of the MSP
stability and traction control system. The optional Skyhook suspension system,
which offers continuous damping control, is also affected by the driver’s choice
of Normal or Sport modes. For more comfort-oriented driving, there is even an
Auto button which puts the gears in full automatic mode so that the driver need
do nothing more than sit back enjoy the thrilling experience of driving a
Maserati. However, the Sport function can still be activated in this mode.
Driver-Oriented Technology
Needless to say, the Maserati GranSport boasts all of the many excellent
technological and safety features offered by the Maserati Grand Tourers, but
with some very important refinements. The car has the same sophisticated set-up
as the Coupé Cambiocorsa: a Transaxle layout with the gearbox rear-mounted in
unit with the differential, stability and traction control (MSP) integrating
ABS, ASR, MSR and EBD functions, which the driver can deactivate if desired,
independent front and rear suspension with double wishbone geometry, which can
be integrated with the Skyhook system on request, the Skyhook adaptive damping
system which instantly adapts the damper calibrations to suit the driving and
road conditions and allows the driver to choose between two different settings
(Normal and Sport).
The fact that the set-up has been lowered by 10 mm and the adoption of the 19”
wheels and tires with a specific profile (front 235/35 R19,
rear 265/30 R19), characterized by a smaller slip angle,
have lowered the centre of gravity and hardened the set-up of Maserati
GranSport, making it even more agile and responsive to the steering wheel.
The Brembo brakes with alloy titanium-colored four-piston callipers with
differentiated diameters and large ventilated cross-drilled discs (front 330 mm;
rear 310 mm), also further enhance the dynamic
characteristics of the car.
The Interior: Elegance and Function
The GranSport’s interior reflects its brilliant personality both in terms of
aesthetics and functionality, yet also exudes the elegant good taste and
luxurious comfort of a Trident Grand Tourer. The dashboard, body-hugging seats,
tunnel, thick rimmed steering wheel, impressive materials (leather, carbon
fiber, alloy, high tech fabric) all combine to create an attractively sporty
ambience too.
The Maserati GranSport’s dashboard boasts excellent specialist trim and central
console options. The upper part of the dash is trimmed in leather, while the
central area, framed by the car-colored piping strip, is trimmed in a special
high tech fabric originally developed for nautical use and available in Nero
(Black), Grigio Nickel (Nickel Grey) or Blu Metal (Metal Blue). This is a double
layered material which is not only very attractive but also non-slip and
extremely hard-wearing, making it ideal for trimming the central area of sports
seats and the lower rim of the steering wheel.
The front seats are designed for high lateral containment, and guarantee maximum
driver contact with the car for perfect control. They were developed with the
help of the Maserati test drivers in line with the strictest ergonomic
principles with the aim of combining sporty characteristics and excellent seat
comfort for perfect, long distance driving. This is why the seats are also fully
power adjustable and can, on request, be supplied with a heating option and
memorized settings on the driver’s side.
The carbon, leather-trimmed tunnel separates the two front seats. It contains
the Cambiocorsa control selector and the secondary commands, each one of which
is set into an elegant chrome surround.
The main control buttons, including the blue Start button, on the other hand,
are grouped together on the central console near the driver. The climate control
and CD player buttons are also set in a carbon feature on the central console.
Any driver lucky enough to get his hands on the three-spoke steering wheel of
the Maserati GranSport will appreciate the work that has been done to mould the
rim (trimmed in perforated leather, carbon and technical fabric) to offer
improved ergonomic grip. All of the car’s functions are arranged on the
instrument binnacle which boasts sporty white graphics on a Maserati navy blue
background.
Personalization Program
The Maserati GranSport is available in the six sportiest colors in the Maserati
range, each one of which can be combined with various interior options. Owners
can choose from the classic Giallo Granturismo (Grand Tourer Yellow) and Rosso
Mondiale (World Championship Red) or, alternatively between the metallic Nero
Carbonio (Carbon Black), Blu Mediterraneo (Mediterranean Blue) and Grigio
Touring (Touring Grey). The sixth color choice recently added to the range is
Bianco Fuji (Fuji White), an original pearl white with the unusual depth typical
of three-coat pearlescent paints. This is the starting point from which the
Officine Alfieri Maserati programme can be used to include a vast array of other
personalization options regarding the colors of the interior trim leather,
fabric as well as technical or comfort-oriented features, such as: Xenon
headlights, Skyhook suspension, Mercury Grey and Ball-Polished options for the
wheels, carbon interior and exterior components, GPS and GSM telephone module
controlled from the radio unit, and a six-disc CD Changer, to mention but a few.
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