RE: Maserati's new GranSport arrives
Wednesday 24th November 2004
Maserati's new GranSport arrives
More power, smoother and faster.
Maserati's new GranSport has just gone on sale, joining the Coupé and Spyder models. The name is evocative for Maser fans, and was first used in the 1950s for the smooth, Carrozzeria Frua-designed two-litre coupé which sat on the chassis of the famous A6 G model.
The new car has better aerodynamics in the form of a lower drag co-efficient of 0.33 resulting from a 10mm lower ride height, 
new bumpers, lower front spoiler and boot lid lip. It sits on 19-inch wheels, while power from its blueprinted 4.2-litre V8 is up from 390bhp to 400bhp, controlled through a six-speed Cambiocorsa paddle-shifted gearbox.
The Sport setting increases the upshift limit, deepens the exhaust note and stiffens the suspension. The result is 0-60 in 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 180mph.
Prices start at £66,600.
Discussion
looking forward to driving this - 5 stars in evo from john barker - it's got to be a serious bit of kit. Interior is fantastic too (as long as you don't pick the shell suit fabric seats and get leather like a proper maser should have)..
Besides - it's been on sale for a month of so now - I've seen customer cars at maranellos pre delivery...
Besides - it's been on sale for a month of so now - I've seen customer cars at maranellos pre delivery...
mr_tony said:
looking forward to driving this - 5 stars in evo from john barker - it's got to be a serious bit of kit. Interior is fantastic too (as long as you don't pick the shell suit fabric seats and get leather like a proper maser should have)..
Besides - it's been on sale for a month of so now - I've seen customer cars at maranellos pre delivery...
hi mrT - I agree, cant wait to try it - still havent got a 3200 - bought an interim Impreza STi Prodrive for the winter!
mr tony said:
(as long as you don't pick the shell suit fabric seats and get leather like a proper maser should have)..
Hated it when I first saw it, but funnily enough the fabric grows on you - like a good suit should! The fabric seat inserts are comfortable too. Choose the right colour combination and the appearance is fine - unique even.
Not the fastest and not the most beautiful GT, but for reasons I find hard to put into words the GranSport is one of the nicest cars I've ever driven.
Leather option (pricey) apparently delayed until March/April. The seats are no problem, but the fascia is such an integral part of the car that a changeover from fabric will have to wait - too many fascias already manufactured.
Lone Granger said:
hi mrT - I agree, cant wait to try it - still havent got a 3200 - bought an interim Impreza STi Prodrive for the winter!
a sensible winter steed sir - it'll run rings round the 32 int the wet!
McNab said:
Not the fastest and not the most beautiful GT, but for reasons I find hard to put into words the GranSport is one of the nicest cars I've ever driven.
oh dear, I think this might get expensive - if the illustrious career of Mr McNab is anything to go by then this is the only recommendation I need! If I can hang onto the 32 for another year then a nearly new gransport might actually be something of a 'sensible'
option... But then the countach / the 512TR oh dear, someone treble my salary now please! >> Edited by mr_tony on Wednesday 24th November 13:56
an Italian friend of mine picked his up from Italy last week and drove it back to the UK, I had a drive in it last weekend and I am inclined to agree with McNab, it's a beaut. Handles nicely (couldn't push it for fear of owner having a heart attack), very fast and comfortable and one of the nicest interiors i've had the pleasure of sitting in for a long time.
was it really that good ?Marki said:
Well done Ian was it really that good ?
First impressions over about 40 miles, yes, but these things are very subjective.
If I win the haggle I'll say more in a few days time, and even if I don't I'll try to describe it in more detail later.
Engine, handling, refinement and build quality all remarkable. Gearbox (paddles) much improved. Didn't expect to feel much power, but it's there, and the torque spread seemed very good.
Not a car for the out-and-out slingshot experience, but ideal for fast cross country and motorway driving. Full of character (hard to define).
I have a theory about present-day driving values. If you live in the populated parts of England (most of England) the only pleasure you can indulge in is phenomenal acceleration, with the very occasional bit of fast cornering when traffic's light.
Thanks to these awful conditions 0-100 figures matter, out of all proportion to other virtues and vices, and the only relief is the occasional track day.
If you live in a fairly remote part of Scotland with very light traffic you look for entirely different values - as 'complete' a car as possible, in every sense. Horses for courses again!
McNab said:
I have a theory about present-day driving values. If you live in the populated parts of England (most of England) the only pleasure you can indulge in is phenomenal acceleration, with the very occasional bit of fast cornering when traffic's light.
Thanks to these awful conditions 0-100 figures matter, out of all proportion to other virtues and vices, and the only relief is the occasional track day.
100% hammer/nailhead whallop scenario.
So did you do the deed Ian 
did you 
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