In the eyes of those who appreciate the best of classical motoring, Maserati's big and beautiful two-door remains one of the most desirable automobiles on the road. Anything the GranTurismo might lack in ultimate technology and top-end performance is overshadowed by sheer sensory gratification.
What's New for 2017
The GranTurismo continues with minimal changes.
Choosing Your Maserati GranTurismo
Designed by Pininfarina, Maserati's 2+2 is available as either a closed-roof coupe or a fabric-topped convertible. Each comes with a pleasantly spacious pair of rear seats.
A Ferrari-designed 4.7-liter V8 engine sends 454 horsepower through a six-speed automatic transmission and onward to 20-inch rear wheels. The GranTurismo scoots from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds or better.
Coupes are available in either Sport or MC trim. The Sport starts at $134,625. The MC, with its carbon-fiber hood and racier details, stickers at $152,370.
The convertible lineup includes an additional base-level GranTurismo with a starting price of $147,540. Sport and MC levels are repeated, although the MC Convertible forgoes the hood scoop of its coupe sibling. Prices are $152,265 for the Sport soft-top and $162,870 for the MC.
Most GranTurismos are built to order, much like tailored apparel. This process typically takes several months and invites the purchaser to be fully invested, both emotionally and financially, in creating an individualized machine. Available choices revolve around paint and leather for the exquisitely crafted interior, distinctive wheel options, and a handful of interior dress-up possibilities.
For the Sport coupe, the minimal option list includes two Interior Carbon packages that add either $5,700 or $8,300. An Exterior Carbon package for the Sport goes for $8,300.
Regardless of trim level or roof architecture, the emphasis with the GranTurismo is on classically minded, high-speed, high-style travel. Maserati forgoes much of the heavy technical content that often describes the modern luxury car. Don’t expect to find any semi-autonomous driving systems, 360-degree cameras, or massaging seats. Instead, the GranTurismo offers an exceptionally responsive and refined engine, a chassis that balances sheer road-going capability with classical feel, and a profound sense of solidity melded with material quality. Perhaps most crucial is an attitude of style and panache, which stands in refreshing contrast to the GranTurismo’s ponderous and self-serious competitors.
The MC models, especially the coupe, suffer slightly from inelegant and unnecessary hints of what might be termed “boy-racer” appearance details. Sport models deliver all the performance that’s expected, without sacrificing even a morsel of class or grace.