Maserati puts the Gran into grandeur
Granturismo and Grancabrio, the two big hitters from the House of Modena, are enjoying a refresh for 2018 to present themselves on the world market with just that pinch more brio.
The two models first arrived in 2007 and 2009 respectively, becoming symbolic straight away
The Granturismo MY18 and the Grancabrio MY18 are the two newbies out from the House of Maserati that made their debuts at Ibiza and at Phi Beach on the Costa Smeralda in the presence of many participants. The Granturismo MY 2018 was unveiled in New York in June and its technical and stylistic features immediately stood out, highlighting the excellence of the Maserati brand. The coupé brings the name of Pininfarina to the fore and, since 2007, has become one of the most iconic GT cars ever made. The Maserati GT is considered to be a top-of-the-range model, and is in part a testimony to the Trident legacy. This 100-year-old history is reflected in the lateral profile inspired by the legendary Maserati ‘Birdcage’ Type 60/62 and features stylistic tips such as triple air intakes in the front flanks and triangular C uprights, which contain the iconic Saetta logo.
In the wake of the Gran Turismo is the Grancabrio MY18, very close in style and mechanics, symbol of a new important chapter in the House of Modena, being the first Maserati invention with four actual seating places. The convertible is inspired by the GT model, combining dynamism and elegance with their own style and becoming, once opened, a breathtaking cabriolet, magnifying its beauty and promising dream travel. Going into greater detail, I discovered that the new
Granturismo and Grancabrio range currently includes only two versions with a well-defined identity: Sport and MC (the latter on show in New York). Setting aside the V8 4.2 engine of 405hp, both new versions feature the legendary 4.7-liter V8 engine, crafted by Ferrari to Maranello, delivering a thrust of 460hp at 7,000 rpm and 520 N.m of maximum torque at 4,750 r/min. The engine offers a formidable acceleration response enhanced by the six-speed ZF automatic gearbox directly connected to the engine. Performance confirms technical upgrades – the Granturismo MY18 and the Grancabrio MY18 touch 100 km/h in just 4.8 seconds, reaching a maximum speed of 299 km/h. The MC version is lighter and has slightly better performance: from 0 to 100 in 4.7 seconds and a top speed of 301 km/h. The two versions (Sport and MC) stand out primarily for their central splitter: the MC variant has a more aggressive design that celebrates the sportiness of the Maserati group by adopting a new front bumper, featuring a larger hexagonal “shark muzzle”, and lateral air intakes, which provide a sense of stability by shifting the aerodynamic load of the car
With the MC version, the Granturismo and the Grancabrio exceed 300 km/h for the first time
to the front wheels. Air resistance has duly been reduced from 0.33 to 0.32.
There is ample scope for external customization: there are 16 colors available for the Granturismo MY18 and for the presentation of the two models, Maserati introduced a new
three-layer color, Absolute Blue. The interior is no less spectacular than the engine and exterior, with that attention to detail that distinguishes Italian automotive products, always in search of comfort and warmth.
It is in its MC version that Maserati expresses maximum elegance by introducing Poltrona Frau® and Alcantara leather lining, the gearbox, steering wheel and pedals in forged aluminum, with back sports seats with carbon-fiber backs an optional extra; so the four seats in the Granturismo and Grancabrio offer unique comfort thanks to individual seating and integrated headrests.
Also standard is the center console, made lighter thanks to a drastic reduction in the number of buttons, while the lower console has been redesigned to accommodate a dual easy-to-use rotary selector, now standard on all Maserati models: a component created from forged aluminum and positioned close to the gear lever, while the pushbutton driving mode has been moved in front of the lever. Any drive cannot provide complete enjoyment if safety is an issue.
It is well known that in matters of trust Maserati does not mess around: Driving the Granturismo and Grancabrio, the stability of the vehicle is constantly monitored by the electronic MSP system and the Maserati Stability Program (MSP), an advanced electronic system that in case of skidding, reduces the torque and acts on the brakes by stabilizing the car in a few milliseconds of second. Maserati has produced over 37,000 Granturismo and Grancabrio models in its historic factory on viale Ciro Menotti in Modena, confirming the good state of health of this Italian brand.