Wheels

WANT TO EXPERIENCE THE THRILLS OF DRIVING A GT RACER? MASERATI’S GRANTURISMO MC STRADALE LETS YOU FEEL THE RUSH WHILE STILL BEING A STREET-LEGAL CAR

Experience the thrills of driving a GT racer in a street-friendly package with Maserati’s GranTurismo MC Stradale.

When the name Maserati is spoken to a true gearhead, it will immediately conjure up images of a sexy Italian sports car. More often than not, the brand’s long history in car racing will also come up. Since its inception back in 1914 by the four Maserati brothers, the brand has consistently played an important role in the history of the sports cars. That long history continues today in many of Maserati’s cars, including its latest GT-racer-turnedsports-car, the MC Stradale. CREATURE COMFORTS The street-friendly cousin to the track-only MC Trofeo, the Stradale features many characteristics of a true racer. The vented carbon fiber hood, exhaust placement on the rear fender to the carbon fiber gear changing paddles plus other important aspects were taken directly from the Trofeo. For a car that was first introduced back in 2007, you would expect its looks to be a little dated, but on the contrary, the sleek lines of the car somehow keeps it looking freshly magnificent.

Despite maintaining the exterior cosmetics of its racing pedigree, what differentiates the Stradale from its track-ready cousin is the cabin. From the moment you open the door you are greeted with a level of luxury that is clearly not offered to racers. The racer-specific bucket seats have been replaced with electrically-adjustable carbon fiber seats that have been decked out in soft Alcantara and leather trimming while the rest of the interior features various hints of carbon fiber for a sporty look. The Trofeo’s roll-cage has been replaced with back seats that are surprisingly spacious and comfortable for a sports car; although passengers in the backseat may be forced to sit in a squatted position.

Only when you glance at the center console does the cars age finally show its grit. The signature analog clock with the trident logo is fitted between the two AC vents. However, the sat-nav display below, which isn’t a touchscreen mind you, and the tiny buttons and knobs used to control it, feels slightly dated. But if you can overlook this minor detail, the look and feel of the car’s interior is not only stunning but also more comfortable compared to some other GT-inspired cars on the market. If you were expecting a satisfying sound system with the

“THEN AGAIN, MUSIC WILL ONLY GET IN THE WAY OF THE ENGINE’S SYMPHONY THAT RESONATES WITH EVERY REV”

car, you may be let down as the sound quality offered in the Stradale we tested was just subpar. Then again, music will only get in the way of the engine’s symphony that resonates with every rev of the gas pedal.

POWER TO SPARE

Speaking about the engine, Maserati’s MC Stradale is fitted with a 4.7 liter V8 engine that is capable of churning out 460hp and 520Nm of torque at 7,500 RPMs. That means you can reach 100kph in just under 5 seconds. With that much power under the hood, you would think that this car is only good at doing laps in circuits; but you’d be wrong. Unlike other sports cars that find it hard to adapt to real world driving conditions (mainly constant starting and going), the Stradale was actually mild mannered at low revs and handled easily. With three settings—Auto, Sport and Racing—you are able to set the power output of the car according to your needs. Auto is designed for daily use, while Sporty opens up the engine slightly allowing for higher revs and providing more speed while Racing is where the true beast of the engine is released. Having tried all three modes and put them through their paces, out of all the three modes, Sporty felt the most suited for regular use. Auto seemed overly jumpy for daily use, even with the slightest pump of the throttle.

Although quite fun to drive, the MC Stradale is troubled by its robotized semiautomatic gearbox and touchy throttle. Unlike the latest sports cars in the same class that use dual-clutch systems to make transitioning between gears much smoother, the robotized gearbox feels unnatural.

As for handling, the steering is surprisingly responsive and you can really feel the tires grip when turning at speed. Despite its large wheel base, the car’s turning radius is just perfect, making a three-point-turn easy to pull off. But remember, steering response also depends on your chosen setting, where Racing offers a much tighter response compared to Auto. Also, unlike other sports cars, the Stradale’s suspension offers a much more comfortable ride.

YOUR MONEY’S WORTH

So, why should you go for a Maserati MC Stradale instead of another European sport car? Well, put simply, this is a rare sports car that will turn heads and is an absolute pleasure to drive. Its great handling characteristics clearly set it apart from other sports cars that are all just about speed. This is the whole package.