Visitors to Sydney’s Darling Harbour entertainment complex have had a sneak preview of the Maserati GranTurismo, set to be the star of the Australian International Motor Show, when the doors open next week (11 October 2007). Freshly arrived from Italy, the stunning super car made a pre-show visit to Darling Harbour so that it could be photographed in Australian sunlight for the first time to provide a tantalizing foretaste of what their cars will look like for the more than 130 people who have already placed an order for the latest Maserati.

“That was the first and last sight anyone will have of the GranTurismo in public before it is officially revealed at the Australian International Motor Show next week,” says Edward Butler, General Manager of Maserati Australia and New Zealand. “For those people lucky enough to be taking delivery of their own Maserati GranTurismo in coming months, the fleeting first visit to Darling Harbour is proof, as if proof was needed, that the GranTurimso is just as beautiful in Australia as it is in Italy!”

The GranTurismo is epitome of a grand touring car is suitable for everyday use, offering a remarkable blend of excellent handling, performance and a thrilling driving experience with comfort and luxury in a car that provides a unique level of exclusivity. As with all Maseratis, the GranTurismo pays great attention to comfort, materials and details, and it is a true four seater, all in the unique Maserati style. A high-performance sports car, that is exciting to drive, it has a V8 4.2 engine with 405 bhp at 7,100 rpm and a maximum torque of 460 Nm at 4,750 rpm, of which 75% is already achievable at 2,500 revs. Its maximum speed is 285 kph, and it accelerates from 0-100 in 5.2 seconds. Weight distribution is 49 per cent on the front, 51 per cent at the rear. The six speed gearbox is automatic with fully adaptive software which adjusts the gearchanges to the driving style and conditions. Generously proportioned, the Maserati GranTurismo is 4,881 mm long with a wheel base of 2,942 mm. The standard wheel rim is 19” or 20” as an optional.

The Maserati GranTurismo cocoons its occupants in an in interior that is as visually captivating as it is comfortable and luxurious. This is achieved through a blend of design, careful attention to details and the selection of the highest quality materials, all brought together with traditional craftsmanship. Once seated, the Maserati GranTurismo does not disappoint. The ample exterior dimensions are matched internally, guaranteeing all four occupants maximum comfort on short or long journeys.

The Maserati GranTurismo design has a strong visual impact, intended to outshine its rivals in a car that is truly different: Its style is inspired by the lines of the Pininfarina Birdcage 75th concept car; Style and dimensions blend into a thoroughbred and ultra-sporty car body, but never going over the top, remaining well-proportioned and elegant.

Everyday enjoyment: More room in the back than the average for the segment; The rear seats have been designed to accommodate two adults comfortably even on long journeys, which makes the vehicle a perfect example of Maserati’s concept of a grand touring car. Pleasure of being on board: attractive design, wide range of materials, leather, woods and colour combinations available. The key words that describe the interior style are: modernity, elegance, craftsmanship, sportiness, liveability. The interior is divided longitudinally by the centre tunnel which ideally almost distributes the available space between the passengers on the left and right sides.
 

The dashboard lies horizontally and features right along its top a decorative “V” shaped element, the distinctive feature of the Maserati marque. By drawing attention to the top part of the dashboard this helps create that sporty feeling of sitting low in the cockpit. The attention to detail exudes from a number of features such as the subtle chrome inlay that elegantly decorates the buttons on the dashboard and steering wheel, the Trident logo hand-crafted on the seat headrests, the Alcantara trim lining the back of the gear change paddles, the leather belt fitting, front seats, beautifully handcrafted.

The basic material is Poltrona Frauâ leather, a true expression of Italian craftsmanship, both as regards the rich quality of the raw material used and the traditional processing techniques adopted.  The Poltrona Frauâ leathers used for the interior trim of the Maserati GranTurismo are the product of a thorough selection process, designed to ensure the highest quality and pleasurable contact with the natural material. The refined processes that they undergo add durability, strength and practicality to the attractive appearance and soft-to-the-touch quality. The natural character and distinctive process used, which combines original mechanical solutions and individual hand-craftsmanship, make the leather soft and cozy in winter, cool and fresh in summer, and give it that very particular feature that makes ageing a factor that actually enhances the quality.

Adaptive light controls: another aspect that shows the attention to detail and innovative ideas. The effective dual-xenon lights which are fitted to the Maserati GranTurismo can be enhanced by the steerable headlight function which improves illumination of the carriageway and surrounding areas and hence improves driving safety whilst travelling at night on very winding routes. The electronic high and low beam control unit captures the instantaneous information relating to steering and angle as well as driving speed and actuates special electric motors to rotate the lights.

Maserati’s gran turismo tradition began in 1947, at the Geneva Auto Show, where the Modena car manufacturer presented the A6 GranTurismo styled by Pinin Farina, at the request of several customers. It was the first road going Maserati and 58 vehicles were produced. The car’s technical features and original, cutting-edge style were enthusiastically received by the motoring press. Ten years later, in 1957, once more at the Geneva Auto Show, Maserati presented its first standard gran turismo, the 3500 GT. This was the car that would transform Maserati into a fully-fledged car manufacturer, while the production of road going vehicles took priority over racing cars. A total of 1,983 examples of the 3500 GT were produced in seven years.

The name of the new model — Maserati GranTurismo — is no coincidence. Once again, the Maserati - Pininfarina team has produced an exciting car whose construction, unique and inimitable style sets it apart from the competition. Australian pricing and specifications for the new Maserati GranTurismo will be announced at the Australian International Motor Show on 11 October 2007.