Review
Maserati GranTurismo coupe
Price: £82,190 - £110,045
/5
- Pros:
- Refined and superb to drive
- Stunning looks
- Room for four
- Cons:
- Limited luggage space
- Fidgety ride on bumpy roads
- Expensive to own and run
pictured:
Maserati Gran Turismo coupe 2012 front quarter
reviewed by Carbuyer
"The GranTurismo is much more stylish than any German rival."
At a glance
- The greenest
- 4.2 V8 GranTurismo 2dr
£82,190 - The cheapest
- 4.2 V8 GranTurismo 2dr
£82,190 - The fastest
- 4.7 V8 GranTurismo MC Stradale 2dr
£110,045 - Top of the range
- 4.7 V8 GranTurismo MC Stradale 2dr
£110,045
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With prices starting at £82,190, you'd expect the GranTurismo to deliver – and it doesn't disappoint. On the road, the coupé is a refined cruiser, but also blisteringly quick when you put your foot down. In terms of style, it's a cut above any German rival. It has real flair and a sense of drama. It's a capable driver's car, too, with well weighted steering and plenty of grip. However, it's not as polished as Jaguar's XKR. There are two engines – a 4.2-litre V8 and 4.7-litre V8 – both deliver incredible performance. The Coupé is a big car, and offers plenty of room in the back for two adults.
Drive
The S model is faster
The GranTurismo is a beautiful car to drive featuring a Ferrari-developed engine that provides a glorious soundtrack. It also copes with corners brilliantly. The precise steering and very well judged suspension make it ideal for covering long distances, the standard automatic gearbox is also effortlessly smooth. The robotic sequential manual fitted to S models is too aggressive for most owners, despite offering six different modes. The more powerful S model is also quicker, capable of 0-60mph in 4.9 seconds.
Comfort
Skyhook adaptive dampers are worth having
The ride is firm but fitted with the optional Skyhook adaptive suspension, the car automatically adjusts to the road conditions and cornering speed- this makes the GT both sporty and comfortable and is a worthwhie addition. Inside, excellent seats are supportive and trimmed in top quality leather. In the back however, due to the sloping roofline, headroom is slightly compromised.
Reliability
The GranTurismo is very well made
The Maserati GranTurismo has proven to be highly reliable since it was lanuched in 2007 with very few problems reported. Build quality is also very high throughout. Inside, the cabin is fitted with six airbags whilst traction control is fitted as standard. Huge brakes provide masses of stopping power helping drivers to cut stopping distances and avoid crashes entirely.
Practicality
Spacious rear seats can easily accomodate adults
The rear seats are a similar size to those found in a small family hatchback, a welcome suprise in a car with sports car handling and such stylish looks. Climbing inside past the folded front seats is quite tricky however. The dashboard design is very stylish, but lacks the clear layout found in a Porsche 911 or Mercedes-Benz SL-Class. We also think the 260-litre boot quite small for a car this size.
Value for money
All models are very well equipped
The large price tag is very hard to ignore compared with other rivals from BMW or Mercedes-Benz but few genuine sports cars can boast this much cabin space. Standard equipment levels are high, with all models getting automatic air-conditioning, cruise control, sat-nav, Bluetooth and leather seats. Optional extras available on the entry level model include metallic paint at £564 and larger 20-inch alloy wheels at £2,400.
Running costs
The GranTurismo drinks a tank of fuel every 370 miles
The petrol V8 engine fitted in the GranTurismo is capable of 20mpg in standard form, faster S models struggle to make 17mpg. This thirst for fuel results in regular fuel stops and large bills even if you drive the big coupe with a gentle right foot. The price of Road Tax is also in the top bracket, equating to a bill of £460 per year. The average Maserati customer is unlikely to be put off however.
