Maserati listened to its customers in bringing this automatic-equipped GT. Those who do not want change for themselves were disappointed with the operation of the company’s sequential manual transaxle. When the car was driven hard, changes were smooth and efficient. On a trip to the grocery store – the driving part of the daily mix – it was nothing.
True to Maserati's commitment to introduce a new model at each international car show, the Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic will première at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show. The new Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic features a 4.7 V8 which develops 440 HP (323kW) at 7000 rpm. The maximum torque is 490Nm at 4.750 rpm.
The major novelty is the combination of the automatic transmission with the most powerful wet sump Maserati V8 on the GranTurismo - until now offered as 4.2 l with automatic transmission and 4.7 l with an electro-actuated gearbox. Thanks to the combination of the 323kW produced by the powerful 4.7l V8 engine and the smoothness of the ZF 6-speed automatic gearbox, the Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic stresses the original granturismo concept while at the same time offering peak performance.
The Skyhook suspension system featuring continuously adjustable dampers provides great driving comfort. Consistently with the unmistakable design of all Maseratis, the Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic features some marked stylistic differences which make it immediately recognisable: the new under-door mini-skirts featuring a prominent shape, which enhances the dynamism of its profile and the new 20" wheel rims with "Trident" design, which recall the strength and elegance of the car.
A further enriched equipment increases the on board pleasure for the driver and the three passengers, thanks to the Bluetooth® Wireless Technology, offered as standard, and the Ipod® interface, available upon request, which complete the Maserati Multi Media System.
The gearbox has a pedigree of sorts, being offered in the Chevrolet Corvette and Aston Martin DB9, not to mention on the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S (“Beauty of Italy, with an edge,” AW, May 4). This is very good company, to be sure.
The gearbox can operate in full manual mode by flicking the gear lever to change gears manually and via the steering column mounted paddles – upshifts right to left, for downshifting. In the manual, the gearbox has a gear selected, even with the limiter.
Using a transmission instead of a transaxle, which is the setting for models equipped with manual sequential, the new GranTurismo S Automatic has a front 49 / 51 / rear weight distribution, the same as the Quattroporte. The rear weight balance slightly biased helps give the great grand tourer – 4, 145 pounds – a feeling of sports car-like, that’s exactly what customers are looking for in a car from a manufacturer whose name ends in “i”
The gearbox can operate in full manual mode by flicking the gear lever to change gears manually and via the steering column mounted paddles – upshifts right to left, for downshifting. In the manual, the gearbox has a gear selected, even with the limiter.
Using a transmission instead of a transaxle, which is the setting for models equipped with manual sequential, the new GranTurismo S Automatic has a front 49 / 51 / rear weight distribution, the same as the Quattroporte. The rear weight balance slightly biased helps give the great grand tourer – 4, 145 pounds – a feeling of sports car-like, that’s exactly what customers are looking for in a car from a manufacturer whose name ends in “i”
The standard suspension system is the Skyhook adaptive dampers with aluminum filled with gas and the option to choose between Normal and Sport. Italian roads, the definition of sport has never been very hard, and despite a steering wheel instead feeling light, he was amazed by the sharpness of the turn-in was how we carved through the corners
