italiaspeed.com

A year after the unveiling of the GranTurismo, Maserati is back at the Australian International Motor Show with yet another coupe première, the GranTurismo S, the ultimate expression of Maserati’s performance and the fastest production car ever produced by the Italian legend.

“With the arrival of the GranTurismo S, Maserati is able to offer two unique grand touring coupes, one with the emphasis on luxury and comfort, the other focused on performance and driving finesse,” says Edward Butler, General Manager of Maserati in Australia and New Zealand. “However they both share exquisite styling, Maserati heritage and technological ability and a level of exclusivity and personalisation that only Maserati can offer. The combination of these two new models provides Maserati with an unrivalled choice of superb coupes.”

The Maserati GranTurismo S goes on sale in Australia and New Zealand during the Australian International Motor Show with an Australian recommended retail price of AUS$328,500 and a New Zealand RRP of NZ$317,000.

With the GranTurismo S, Maserati shifts the emphasis of its magnificent coupe from grand touring luxury to performance and driving excitement. The new 323 kW V8 4.7 engine, electro-actuated gearbox with fast MC-Shift, Transaxle layout, sporty exhaust and brakes made with dual-cast technology make the GranTurismo S the new flagship for Maserati sporting flair, with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and a maximum speed of 295 km/h, the highest ever reached by a standard production Maserati.

The compact and lightweight 4.7 litre V8 engine develops maximum power output of 323 kW at 7,000 rpm and peak torque of 490 Nm at 4,750 rpm, and ensures high specific power output and more torque at lower speeds as well, without affecting the capacity of the engine to respond very quickly to changing road conditions, typical of racing engines.

The increase in power output and torque has not affected the versatility of the power unit, which continues to be readily harnessed even during everyday use. The power unit sounds deep and throaty, but the exhaust valve pneumatic control can also be activated to make it discrete and comfortable. An electro-actuated six-speed gearbox is paired with the 4.7 litre V8 engine, and has MC-Shift software which harnesses the new engine’s power output, ensuring gearshift speed and quality that represent a point of reference for the entire sports car range.

The engine and gearbox on the Maserati GranTurismo S are arranged in the Transaxle layout, typical of high-performance sports cars that represent the technological DNA of all Maseratis. The front-mounted engine, and the gearbox, located to the rear, are rigidly connected by a tubular element containing the driveshaft. This solution gives excellent weight distribution, 47% over the front axle and 53% over the rear axle, which translates into excellent dynamics and top performance.

Looking through the spokes of the new 20” rims on the GranTurismo S the high-performance brake system developed in collaboration with Brembo is clearly visible. The system features front brake discs made with dual-cast technology — a dual casting of cast iron and aluminium, paired with aluminium mono-bloc 6-piston brake callipers. This technology, introduced for the first time in the automotive field on the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S, unveiled at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, optimises the braking system’s performance, by emphasizing pedal feel and increasing fatigue-resistance in the most extreme conditions.

At the wheel, the Maserati GranTurismo S is more rigid and compact, thanks to the suspension layout developed specifically to support the new weight distribution. Vehicle roll has been reduced significantly as a result of the modified springs, bars and dampers, and this has benefited handling and performance.

The exterior the Maserati GranTurismo S is characterised by a number of aesthetic modifications that, although discrete, are highly effective and make the car body sportier without abandoning the sleekness of the lines masterfully designed by Pininfarina. The integrated spoiler in the boot lid and the new-design side skirts help to improve the air flow around the car. On top of that, the Maserati GranTurismo S boasts new specially designed 20” rims, which resemble the Trident, Maserati’s symbol. The sporty look is complemented by the generously proportioned oval-section exhaust tailpipes, the grille and black headlamp parabola; the Trident on the grille and the Saetta logo on the “C” pillar are decorated with red prongs, following the tradition of the racing Maserati.

The interior upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather and Alcantara (used for the steering wheel and centre of the seat with the option to extend to the whole of the headlining) reflects the sporty flair of the Maserati GranTurismo S; the figure-hugging front and rear seats are distinguished by their new dynamic design with horizontal piping on the seats and seatbacks. As an alternative to the standard leather/Alcantara trim, interiors are available in all Poltrona Frau leather, with customers wanting a more classic flavour, or those wishing to personalize their car with a touch of refinement can choose full-grain Peccary leather with a sporty look and high lateral containment.

The same extensive range of materials and colours available for the GranTurismo is also offered for the Maserati GranTurismo S: standard interiors available in “Alu Grey” or “Smoked Quartz”, while upon request it is possible to choose from three types of genuine wood (Rosewood, Walnut and Tanganyika wood) and five varnished hues (Black Piano, Rosso Sigillo, Blu Laque, Bianco Ice and Giallo Decoro).

There is even more. Dashboard and door panels/rear sides can also be upholstered in AluTex, an aluminium-coated fabric with a hi-tech, modern look. What makes AluTex so special is the autoclave process it undergoes during manufacturing — a fine powder of pure metal is applied to the surface which gives the fibres an unusual brilliance and three-dimensional effect.