Maserati Granturismo MC Shift Auto15 | 02 | 2013Scotcars rating

Maserati adds some extra 'Sport' to its roarty GranTurismo and turns even more heads

OVERVIEW

I find it takes a lot to turn heads on the road these days. There’s so much variety about that only the committed petrolheads can spot something interesting: unless it’s something that looks or sounds sensational. And that’s exactly what the latest GranTurismo Sport from Maserati achieves, leaving passersby and pedestrians spinning in its wake.

The Sport version of the GT refines the model’s sporting character and makes it something really special on the road. It certainly doesn’t hang about, thundering with a delicious rasp at the rear end from a standing start to over 60mph in under 5secs to hit a potential top speed of almost 190mph.

Under the bonnet there’s the latest evolution of Maserati’s all-alloy 4.7-litre V8 engine which pushes out more than 450 bhp of power. The GT version has been one of the most successful cars in Maserati’s history with more than 15,000 taking to the world’s roads since 2007, with the US by far the biggest market ahead of China and of course at home in Italy, where the company is part of the giant Fiat conglomerate.

ON THE ROAD

With its silky smooth six-speed automatic electro-actuated transmission, it’s a delight on the open road and things really start to happen when you hit the Sport button and then use the huge steering column-mounted paddles to go up and down the box. The active damping system keeps things under control and importantly, you know everything will come to a halt when you hit the dual-cast brakes.

The great sound of this car is down to the car’s large oval exhausts which takes the natural engine note and accentuates it when the Sport button is activated. This diverts the exhaust gases down a shorter route to the back end and generates a rich, intense growl. It’s a wonderful package and simply reinforces the overall experience.

COMFORT AND SAFETY

Externally, the biggest change is around the front-end at the headlights which still have the same overall shape but now contain all-new technology to incorporate daytime running LEDs and adaptive lights which track the steering wheel by up to 15 degrees. There’s the traditional huge gaping grille with the chromed Maserati Trident taking pride of place in the centre, its red accents the only clue that this is one of the most powerful Maseratis.

The interior layout is very good and while the traditional analogue clock in the centre of the dash is a lovely feature, it really should be angled more towards the driver. From the driving seat, the raised wheel arches are prominent and the car is actually a lot wider than it seems. Side skirts are standard on the Sport to increase aerodynamic efficiency along with enlarged side grilles to extract hot air from the engine bay.

SHOULD I BUY ONE?

It’s an expensive piece of kit but you’re guaranteed a great experience.

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Alan Douglas