- Messages
- 40,729
- Name
- Marcus
Seriously Beautiful
We've just driven the 2007 Maserati GranTurismo through the Italian Alps between Bolzano and Moena on the famed Brenner Pass, and we're very impressed.
Hey, Italian car and Italian Alps? Why shouldn't we be impressed?
Maserati is back, give or take a few stumbles. The first GranSport was fast, but stylistically it resembled a Celica on steroids. The born-again Quattroporte is breathtakingly beautiful, but only recently did it finally get the automatic transmission it needed, as the original Cambiocorsa automated sequential manual gearbox better suited a hard-core sports car.
But the fix is in, and the 2007 Maserati GranTurismo proves it.
Starting With Something Good
Maserati has had a long series of high-performance GT cars — like the 1500S, A6GCS and the 3500GT, not to mention the exclusive 5000GT — sold to royalty like the Aga Kahn and the Shah of Iran. In penning this latest iteration, Pininfarina stylists had much tradition to draw upon. So there's no confusing the GranTurismo with any model Ferrari. When you see the new GT in person, you're impressed with its immense road presence.
A wide, traditional Maserati grille with a prominent trident badge bares its teeth like the flared mouth of a tiger about to strike. The body is curvaceous, yet finely drawn. The bi-xenon headlights have an angular shape, but once you step back, they meld perfectly with the car and look like cat's eyes for those sharp teeth.
The roof line is an especially elegant arch that curves gracefully into a fashionably short deck. At first glance, you'll think berlinetta, a little coupe, but there's actually a lot of room behind those small rear side windows. Muscular rear haunches and a very slight forward rake underscore the perception that the car is poised to leap forward.
The surface of the body is superbly developed, and various reveals and ridges delight the eye. A continuous curve sweeps from the rear fenders to an imaginary point that defines the front fender shape. And the Cd is an impressive 0.33.
The less said about the three portholes on each front flank, the better. This is a Maserati, not a Buick. Why not design a triangular slash that evokes some of the other styling elements, or even a vent from some vintage Maser?
Meanwhile, prominently sculpted wheel openings are filled with handsome 19-inch alloys that carry Pirelli P Zero tires, 245/40R19s in front and 285/40R19s in the rear. Optional 20-inchers with 245/35R20s and 285/35R20s can be selected, and these carry a bold multispoke design adapted from the Birdcage 75 concept car that Maserati displayed at the Geneva auto show.
It's Italian Through and Through
To create the GranTurismo, Maserati engineers cut the platform of the Quattroporte sedan by about 5 inches, then trimmed the rear overhang by nearly 3 inches. The GranTurismo measures 192.2 inches overall on a 115.8-inch wheelbase, so the car is comparable in size to a BMW 6 Series, Jaguar XK and Mercedes-Benz CL500.
The GranTurismo is Italian through and through, so there's a palpable sensuality to the interior that reveals itself in that warm Poltrona Frau leather (available in 10 colors), accented with a choice of either wood or body-color trim. In fact this car is a riot of colors, as there are 19 color options for the steering wheel, shift knob and dashboard. There's even a palette of optional colors for the brake rotors.
The look is sustained by the sensual curvature of the handmade seats and door panels, the inviting tactility of the controls and (yes, we'll say it) even the fussiness of some electronic aids, like the less-than-intuitive navigation system. Maserati's trademark analog clock is present, and there's a nicely matched audio system.
There's slightly more room in the GranTurismo 2+2's rear seat than its BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz competition (especially the Jag), and the space is nicely outfitted with armrests, climate control vents, storage pockets and even a pair of cupholders.
As for practical attributes, front and side airbags are in place, as are curtain-type head-protection bags.
First Drive: 2007 Maserati GranTurismo
M
