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Review (2/2)

The Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic Combines Power, Driving Pleasure and Sumptuous Luxury

Source: Maserati | Published: Mon Aug 23, 2010

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The GranTurismo S Automatic continues the unique style of the GranTurismo range. The car's lines were designed to lead the eye fluidly over its curves, from the low front end to the sweeping rear.

A chrome Trident logo is suspended in the center of the concave vertical slats of the front grille. The headlights are aggressive jewels flanking the traditional long, low hood. The grille's classic 'V' point is a feature that is echoed throughout the car.

The three chrome-profiled air vents set behind the front wheels lend the GranTurismo an even more vibrant feel. Moving around the GranTurismo, the oval version of the Maserati logo (known as 'Saetta') stands out behind the side windows. And at the rear are the taillight clusters, each featuring distinctive, bright LEDs in a daring triangle. Wide aerodynamic diffusers sit under the bumper, framed by pronounced exhaust pipes.

The Interior of the Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic

The GranTurismo S Automatic's cabin mirrors the true identity of the new Maserati coupé. Luxurious touches have been taken up a notch, and there is a sumptuous feel to the interior, an interior that offers an even wider range of personalization options.

The driver and passengers will enjoy being in a refined cabin that has been created using time-honored techniques used by skilled craftsmen.

Poltrona Frau supplies the supple leather found inside. This superbly finished leather is the result of attentive selection and special treatment. The front sport seats are roomy and can be controlled electronically while the 'Easy Entry' system shifts both seats to make entrance and egress hassle free.

Unique in its class, the GranTurismo also offers genuine seating for four adults, allowing the driver to share the experience of traveling as only a Maserati can provide.

The advanced Bose Surround Sound audio system adds to the elevated quality of life on board. The eleven speakers have been designed especially for the car's interior and deliver concert hall levels of performance. The hard-drive based navigation system is standard, complete with Bluetooth, iPod integration, 30GB of storage space for music, and is pre-wired for Sirius satellite radio.

The sizeable trunk can hold two regular-sized golf bags or the set of five leather suitcases created by Salvatore Ferragamo exclusively for the GranTurismo.

The Engine, Transmission, Chassis and Suspension

The Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic is driven by an eight cylinder, 4,691 cc V90° engine that develops 433 hp at 7,000 rpm and produces a maximum torque of 361 lb-ft at 4,750 rpm. The timing is controlled by two overhead camshafts per bank and four valves per cylinder with hydraulic tappets. The overhead camshafts on the aspirated side are controlled by low pressure, continual phase valve timing with actuation times of less than 0.15 seconds.

The increased power and torque is due to higher displacement and the exhaust valves controlled by the driver. Pressing the 'Sport' button on the dash opens the valves to allow the exhaust to escape more quickly; the lower back-pressure allows the engine to reach its peak power output of 433 hp.

The GT soul of the GranTurismo S Automatic shines through with the six-speed automatic transmission, created by German transmission specialists ZF and tuned specifically for Maserati. The effect of the self-adapting automatic transmission is especially felt at low to medium revs but still grants immediate power delivery higher up the rev range, and allows changes to be made at the 7,200 rpm redline - a rate that no other automatic transmission in the class can equal.

There are four functional modes: Auto Normal is for comfortable cruising, Auto Sport is for those who like a sportier ride, Auto ICE is for low grip conditions, and then there is Manual mode. In Manual it is the driver who chooses when to change gears via the shift paddles mounted on the steering column.

The Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic reacts brilliantly thanks to its unique weight distribution: 49% of the car's mass sits over the front end and 51% on the rear. This setup was achieved by shifting the engine behind the front axle and it gives the driver an unparalleled sense of balance and response.

The load-bearing chassis means greater rigidity and its high-resistance, box-steel structure allows the suspension to better track the road. This enhances the car's dynamic handling while also providing a more comfortable drive.

The Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic's precise handling benefits from a front and rear wishbone suspension. The system's 'anti-dive' and 'anti-squat' geometry limits the front dipping under braking and the rear end squatting under acceleration.

The GranTurismo S Automatic comes with the Skyhook system as standard. This technology uses shock absorbers with an aluminum body to continually adjust the damping rate. Skyhook automatically selects the optimal level of damping and integrates with the MSP (Maserati Stability Program) safety system and the calibration of the car's automatic transmission. The result is that the car is able to adapt to the characteristics of each driver; the GranTurismo is a car that fits like a glove.

Additional Options

For the GranTurismo range, Maserati offers a personalization program that is unlike any other in the world. This program has been developed with the objective of allowing each client to create a made-to-measure GranTurismo S Automatic, a car that is the maximum expression of each client's taste and style.

The client can opt for one of ten colors of Poltrona Frau leather, thirteen possible colors for the stitching, seven for the carpets (including two new colors: Red and Bordeaux) and three types of prestigious wood (Walnut, Rosewood or the new polished Wenge); the variety on offer can render the cabin of each GranTurismo S Automatic one-of-a-kind.

On the exterior, wheel rim designs come in three finishes and clients can choose from six colors for the brake calipers.

The 'MC Sport Line' personalization range is designed to emphasize Maserati's sporting heritage. It is dedicated to clients who want to exhibit their sporting passion with advanced technical solutions.

The name 'MC Sport Line' fully captures the experience gained on the track by the Maserati Corse technicians who designed the components. The Modenese company's racing pedigree is evident from the carbon fiber construction of many of the Sport Line pieces.

The Maserati Atelier

Visitors to the Modena, Italy headquarters of Maserati can make the most of expert help in creating their dream car by using the Atelier Maserati, just like they would for a suit styled by a master tailor.

The Atelier provides examples of the available options for the interior thanks to a special table showing color samples of the leathers, the carpets, the stitching and the finishes. Clients can also browse colors for the interior and exterior and see and even feel for themselves how the different materials combine with one another, allowing them to check the options selected on the Car Configurator.

Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications

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