How should one choose a car? Some would argue that cool-headed analysis is the way to go, using dispassionate logic to compare objective measurements of size, performance and value for money. One criterion, however, cannot be quantified and slapped onto a spread sheet. How does the car make one feel?
The heroic battle cry escaping the exhausts on Maserati’s GranTurismo will quell any doubts over which luxury grand tourer reigns supreme. The sound seems to bypass the ears, speaking straight to the soul with more conviction than any salesman could ever summon.
Updated for 2018, the Sport – introduced alongside the GranTurismo MC – is something of a welcome antidote to the modern trend of high-performance uber-coupes. Ferraris, Porsches, Aston Martins and Mercedes-Benzes all seem to be trying too hard. Their strenuous efforts suggest a certain lack of confidence – a fidgety need to outdo one another with this statistic or that.
The GranTurismo Sport, by contrast, is comfortable in its own Pininfarina-designed skin. Confident in its innate excellence, it seems to have nothing to prove. Much of this personality stems from its engine. The GranTurismo Sport shuns forced induction in favour of a 4.7-litre V8.
This is, admittedly, something of a trade-off. Turbo-chargers do indeed increase power output when performance is called for, while also enabling lower fuel consumption when a gentle cruise is enough. The downside is that they strangle the exhaust note, robbing it of its bellicose glory.
Free of turbos, the GranTurismo Sport can let loose a full-blooded roar at full throttle. When lifting off the gas pedal, it spits and crackles on overrun. And with 338kW under one’s right foot, the Maserati is far from lacking in the power department. Channelled to the rear wheels through a six-speed ZF semi-automatic gear box, it’s sufficient for a 4.8-second sprint to 100kph–plenty fast for any practical, real-world application.
The way the engine delivers its power is old-school. At lower revs there’s less torque, so an injudicious tap on the throttle won’t send the car lurching into the back of a truck in queuing traffic. This makes it more forgiving to drive in cities and parking garages.
Handling is less knife-edge than a sports car. The suspension is flexible rather than harsh, tuned for travelling through the imperfect real world instead of the artificially silky confines of the race track.
And unlike sports cars, the Maserati offers a softer, more forgiving ride which absorbs imperfections without losing grip, letting the driver comfortably sustain higher speeds with less exertion. Hard cornering does induce pronounced body roll and one has to wait for the car’s mass to transfer onto the outside wheels as the long-travel springs compress.
As a result, swift driving requires carefully judged timing and a measured wave of the hands on the wheel instead of aggressive stabs. The steering is accurate but lacks tactile feedback. However, what would be a downside for a track-focused car is a relaxing boon for longer journeys traversed at less than racing speed on rougher roads.
If pressed right to the limit of cornering ability, the GranTurismo Sport does produce an impressive dose of lateral force. Pushed too hard, the car will understeer, but thanks to that flexible suspension, a lift off the throttle will transfer weight forward to neutralise the imbalance.
For highway driving, the Maserati is a delight. That big V8 settles down to a baritone purr in high gear, wafting along effortlessly. The ride is smooth, with little hint of road imperfection interrupting the serenity. The cabin is a nice place to relax for hours on end while the scenery blurs past. As one would expect from a prestigious marque, there’s plenty of exquisitely stitched leather everywhere, complemented by alcantara suede.
The interior design charms with small touches of whimsical flair, from the cat’s iris-shaped central dash clock to the oversized gear selector paddles.
The updated GranTurismo range offers an 8.4-inch central touchscreen, making access and control of the satnav and other functions that little bit easier. The car is a genuine four-seater, rather than a two-plus-two, and luggage space is ample, too.
There are faster cars on the market. There are bigger and more comfortable cars on the market. The GranTurismo, however, is arguably one of the most likeable cars money can buy.
www.maserati.hk
Kowloon Bay Showroom: 2627 8986
Wan Chai Showroom:2627 8983
Text: James O’Donnell
Photos: Maserati
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