27.05.2004 The new Maserati GranSport, a 400bhp sportscar that takes the Coupe theme to the 'extreme', has received its UK premiere this week in Birmingham

Maserati are going places, and their racy display at the Motor Show Live this week, reflects the historic marque's burgeoning resurgence.

Three of the five models on display are making their UK premieres, with the super-luxury sporty Quattroporte saloon and the GT-racing bound MC12 racer, being joined in Birmingham by the exciting new GranSport, which Maserati describe as the ultimate 'extreme' version of the Coupe.

Outwardly Maserati, now headed by the highly rated former Ford Europe CEO Martin Leach, have taken the Coupe's highly acclaimed graceful flowing lines and beefed then up to create an aggressive, purposeful appearance, as they look to draw in new customers who find the Coupe too 'tame'.

At the front, attention is instantly grabbed by a harsher looking new mesh grille in Quattroporte-style, which is complemented by a deeper, heavily cut-out lip spoiler.

New 19 inch alloy wheels, inspired by the Trofeo GT racing derivative catch the eye as one's gaze chases the lines around the wings. Below the doors, a new side skirt runs in almost opposite contrast to the sweeping curves of the cars flanks, creating a sharp effect. And finally at the rear, a reprofiled bumper which incorporates chrome mesh covered recesses and a discreet boot lip spoiler, round out the visual changes.

The Coupe's 4.2-litre V8 engine has seen its power boosted from the original 390bhhp to 400bhp 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 recognisable, due to the unusual design of its twin chrome exhausts and has been designed to give enthusiasts that instantly recognisable 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.

Maserati UK are very confident that the GranSport will be a hit with buyers, citing an English tradition of demand for ultimate performance versions of previous sportscar models. Reporting 'strong interest' in the new model, which will arrive in RHD format on these shores later this year, they  are currently taking deposits, and expect around thirty of these new cars will be delivered to buyers by the end of the year.