GranTurismo S: Maserati Joins the Tweakers

Marty Padgett

Editorial Director BIO

Marty Padgett is High Gear Media's Editorial Director, overseeing the words that skim across High Gear Media's portfolio of automotive destinations... More

LATEST ARTICLE
Hyundai Tucson Vs. Nissan Rogue: Compare Cars
In a few short years, what difference. Now, the set of compact crossovers is superior, and some of... Read More

#5LEADERBOARD RANK
5162ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
111COMMENTS POSTED

546 views Feb 26, 2008

Follow Marty

Add to circle

Enlarge Photo

Maserati’s stunning GranTurismo coupe is adding a new flavor just in time for the Geneva motor show, in the form of the GranTurismo S.

At last year’s Geneva show, we brought you the first look at the GranTurismo, the effortlessly sexy replacement for the previous Coupe. Styled by Pininfarina, the four-seater slotted into the Italian brandscape between the GranSport coupe and the flagship Quattroporte sedan.

The standard GranTurismo sported a 4.2-liter V-8 delivering 405 hp, mated to automatic gearbox and equipped with an adaptive control system that adjusts the gear-shifting mode to the driving style and the road conditions. In the GranTurismo S, more power is the first order of the day. Maserati says the bored-out 4.7-liter V-8 now makes 440 horsepower. The power’s shifted out through an electrically actuated gearbox.

Also in the S: a set of high-performance Brembo brakes newly developed for the Quattroporte Sport S, with six-piston calipers for big performance; some minor body tweaks on the exterior; and a new interior with Poltrona Frau leather and Alcantara, along with new seat designs.

Maserati's tradition of GTs dates back to 1947 when, at the same Swiss exhibition, bosses unveiled their first Gran Turismo, the A6. It was designed by Pinin Farina himself, and only 58 were ever built.