Maserati GranTurismo

2012 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible Sport

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The Maserati GranTurismo is a grand-touring sports car, selling as much on exclusivity, personal luxury, and performance and competing directly with the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Porsche 911, and Ferrari California. Offered as a coupe or as a convertible, the GranTurismo is also related to the Maserati Quattroporte and the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione.

For 2007, the Maserati GranTurismo replaced the Maserati Coupé, and it offers as much performance as its predecessor with more refinement. You can see the close resemblance between the GranTurismo coupe and the Quattroporte sedan, but any similarities end there; the GranTurismo has an attractive sports-coupe silhouette, in a design that you might expect of an Italian exotic. Up close, the low front end and the flared rear fenders in particular make its profile a thing of beauty, particularly in convertible form.

A 405-horsepower, 4.2-liter V-8 had been standard on the GranTurismo, and GranTurismo S models used to get a 433-hp, 4.7-liter version. For the 2012 model year, the 4.2-liter V-8 has been discontinued, and all GranTurismo models now have a 4.7-liter V-8, with base cars rated at 433 hp and GranTurismo S models, at 444 hp. Maserati estimates the standard car can get to 60 mph in less than 5.0 seconds and to a top speed of more than 177 mph, while the GranTurismo S models can takes just 4.8 seconds or less to hit 60 mph, and can reach up to 185 mph. A GranTurismo MC edition inspired by Maserati's racing efforts sports 20-inch wheels and dark metallic trim as well as the newly uprated engine.

In both cases, the engine lives up to its Ferrari pedigree, emitting a low rumble at idle and a tuneful wail under full acceleration. All GranTurismos have a six-speed ZF automatic transmission, including excellent column-mounted steering-wheel paddles for shifting. The setup works well, with the transmission shifting quickly and decisively. Some previous models came with the Duo-Select automated manual gearbox, which we recommend you avoid due to exceptionally rough shifts during leisurely driving. Overall, with quick-ratio steering and a Skyhook air suspension with Sport mode, plus excellent brakes with a pedal feel right on par with other exotics, the GranTurismo manages to feel surprisingly nimble, considering that it's heavier than most other rival coupes. The Sport models have their own sport suspension settings, offering an even firmer ride.

The Maserati GranTurismo feels snug, because of its quite narrow footwells and tight sport seats, but it's also warm and inviting thanks to soft leather and excellent trims. There are back seats in the GranTurismo, but they're mostly for small adults and children, though they look enticing enough to try. The front seats enough space for taller adults, and trunk space should be just enough for a weekend trip. Maserati sells most of its GranTurismo and Quattroporte models by order, with a long list of customization options, interior trims, and luxury features, including a navigation system by Magneti Marelli, "trident" logo stitching on the seats, and carbon-fiber trim for the MC edition.

2011 Maserati GranTurismo MC

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