2018 Maserati GranTurismo
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Maserati GranTurismo
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Year:2018
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Engine:V8
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Transmission:six-speed ZF automatic
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Horsepower @ RPM:454
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Torque @ RPM:384
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Displacement:4.7 L
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0-60 time:4.6 sec.
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Top Speed:185 mph
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Price:
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car segment:
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One final update for the 10-year-old grand tourer
The Maserati GranTurismo was introduced in 2007 a replacement for the Coupe, which in turn was the first grand tourer developed under Ferrari ownership. Offered in both coupe and convertible body styles, the GranTurismo was designed by Pininfarina and launched with two V-8 engines co-developed with Ferrari. A 4.2-liter V-8 powered the base model, while a bigger, 4.7-liter V-8 was offered in the S, MC Stradale, and Sport models. Although it was believed that the GranTurismo would be replaced altogether in in 2018, Maserati launched a new update in 2017.
Essentially a facelift, the 2018-model-year upgrade brings revised aerodynamics on the outside and new technology on the inside. The Italians also changed the drivetrain lineup, ditching the 4.2-liter V-8 as well as the MC Stradale model. From now on, the GranTurismo is available in only two trim levels, the Sport and the MC. Unfortunately, output remains unchanged, which means that the grand tourer might not be around for too long. Find out what’s new in the review below.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2018 Maserati GranTurismo.
Latest Maserati GranTurismo news and reviews:
This Crazy Mix Of Porsche 911, Maserati Gran Turismo, And Nissan 350Z Will Make Your Day
Man’s imagination knows no bounds and when it comes to cars, we often see some truly epic creations. Luckily, the internet makes it possible for us to see these creations, and this interesting mix of Porsche Maserati and Nissan is the latest we have stumbled upon.
Maserati Offers Us The First Look At the 2022 All-Electric GranTurismo
The return of Maserati GranTurismo was highly anticipated. Maserati recently teased a version of the car, heavily shrouded in camouflage. We know that the GranTurismo and its soft-top convertible sibling, the GranCabrio, will be introduced later this year. The previous generation GranTurismo/Cabrio was on sale for 12 years and it finally ceased production in December 2019. But the introduction of a new generation is not the only big thing happening with the GranTurismo name.
2018 Maserati GranCabrio by Pogea Racing
German tuning company Pogea Racing crafted an all-new tuning kit for the Maserati GranCabrio, and consequently, for the Gran Turismo. The dated Italian sports car from Maserati is on its last legs on the market. We can expect discontinuation as early as next year, but that did not stop Pogea Racing from creating a one of a kind tuning kit for what is, probably, one of the most beautiful designs in the history of the automobile. Based around the GranCabrio, the Pogea Racing kit includes suspension tweaks, an engine upgrade, and interior modifications. External body kit? None of that I am afraid; however, the Maserati GranCabrio and the GranTurismo are already astoundingly beautiful.
2022 Maserati GranTurismo
Recently Maserati has brought back some life to their model lineup. The Ghibli is going hybrid, the two-seat sports coupe Alfieri is said to be arriving soon, and the MC20 – Maserati’s first supercar in almost 20 years is already a fact. But there’s more. A test mule has been spotted out testing. Although it’s disguised as an Alfa Romeo Giulia, the proportions are way off. There are also enough hints that there’s a new Maserati hiding under. This means only one thing - the new Maserati GranTurismo is on its way!
2019 Maserati Gran Turismo Zeda
Maserati is ending production of the current-generation GranTurismo by rolling out the GranTurismo Zeda, a one-off creation that commemorates the model’s more-than-a-decade-long run in the market. The Maserati GranTurismo Zeda comes with a lot of exclusive touches, none more prominent than a unique paint finish that separates its aesthetics from just about every GranTurismo model that has hit the market in the last 12 years. There are currently no plans to offer the Maserati GranTurismo Zeda to the public, but a limited-production run in the future hasn’t been ruled out quite yet.
The 2020 Touring Superleggera Sciadipersia Cabriolet Just Might Be The Secret Star of the Geneva Motor Show
The 2019 Geneva Motor Show brought out a vociferous diet of coachbuilt cars, including the Touring Superleggera Sciadipersia Cabriolet. Developed and built by famous Italian coachbuilder Touring Superleggera, the Sciadipersia Cabriolet is the open-top version of the 2018 Sciadipersia that the company brought to Geneva last year. The design of the Sciadipersia Cabriolet remains true to the look of its coupe sibling, minus, of course, the hard top. Power is provided by a naturally aspirated V-8 engine that produces a tidy 468 horsepower. Touring Superleggera only plans to build 15 units of the Sciadipersia Cabriolet, the price of which has yet to be announced.
Designed by Pininfarina, the Maserati GranTurismo is one gorgeous looking car, even if it has been on the market for a decade now. It has a timeless design, though, and while it may be time for it to be replaced, the car will remain relevant for years to come, eventually becoming a collectible. After all, it was the first grand tourer that was developed under Ferrari ownership. It’s powered by a Ferrari-designed 4.7-liter V-8 that’s good for some 454 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. Channeled through a ZF, six-speed automatic, it’s good enough to get the GT up to 60mph in 4.6 seconds on the way to a top speed of 185 mph. Given the fact that its time is drawing short on the market, we decided to honor it a bit and make it our wallpaper of the day. We’ve picked our favorite and thrown in a gallery so you can do the same. Enjoy!
Maserati Stops Production of its Models
Maserati is having a hard time selling its vehicles recently, and as a result, the Italian automaker is stopping production on most of its vehicles until January 15. According to Automotive News Europe, Maserati will halt production of the Ghibli and Quattroporte for the next month. Likewise, production of the GranTurismo and Grancabrio models have been put on hold until January 8 while the Levante’s production will stop from December 20 to January 15.
2018 Maserati GranTurismo
The Maserati GranTurismo was introduced in 2007 a replacement for the Coupe, which in turn was the first grand tourer developed under Ferrari ownership. Offered in both coupe and convertible body styles, the GranTurismo was designed by Pininfarina and launched with two V-8 engines co-developed with Ferrari. A 4.2-liter V-8 powered the base model, while a bigger, 4.7-liter V-8 was offered in the S, MC Stradale, and Sport models. Although it was believed that the GranTurismo would be replaced altogether in in 2018, Maserati launched a new update in 2017.
Essentially a facelift, the 2018-model-year upgrade brings revised aerodynamics on the outside and new technology on the inside. The Italians also changed the drivetrain lineup, ditching the 4.2-liter V-8 as well as the MC Stradale model. From now on, the GranTurismo is available in only two trim levels, the Sport and the MC. Unfortunately, output remains unchanged, which means that the grand tourer might not be around for too long. Find out what’s new in the review below.
Continue reading to learn more about the 2018 Maserati GranTurismo.
Pops’ Rants: Civic Type R Drama and Why the New GranTurismo Sucks
The 2017 Goodwood Festival of Speed is well underway, and I couldn’t be happier. Long live internet video streaming, old track, short but exciting race tracks, and the good people taking care of the Goodwood House. I’m a happy chap, but hey, there’s still room for rants. And boy there’s plenty to talk about this week. You might find it hard to believe, but there’s something about Goodwood that has been bothering me for years. It’s the hill climb record, which stands since 1999 when Nick Heidfeld completed the course in 41.6 seconds in a McLaren MP4/13 Formula One car. Really, now; isn’t there anyone capable enough to put together a car that’s faster than that?
Yes, I know, it’s a Formula One car and these things are really fast and aerodynamic, but the MP4/13 dates back to 1999. That’s 18 years. Eighteen!!! You know what changed in 18 years on the Nurburgring? The lap record was improved by more than a minute. That’s about 15 percent, which makes sense given how fast cars and technology are evolving nowadays. Yet, no one is able to put Heidfeld’s record to rest. Not even the Peugeot 208 T16, which set a seemingly unbeatable record at Pikes Peak, was able to do that back in 2014 when it completed the course three seconds slower.
Continue reading for the full story.
Maserati GranTurismo Clings to Life with New Sport Special Edition
The Maserati GranTurismo turns 10 in 2017 and refuses to die. Not that I want it to die, but just when I thought that the grand tourer was almost forgotten, the Italian firm popped up with a new special-edition model at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. Called the GranTurismo Sport Special, it celebrates the 60th anniversary of the 3500 GT, a sports car that also debuted at the Geneva Motor Show and became one of the brand’s most iconic models.
Available for both the GranTurismo and GranCabrio models, the Sport Special Edition standards out by means of a new Rosso Italiano, three-layer paint – which mimics the red of Juan Manuel Fangio’s
winning 250F race car – and 20-inch alloy wheels in Glossy Black with "Special Edition" logos. Customers can also pick from other two special colors or four of the standard hues in the GranTurismo palette.
The interior has also been reimagined around Poltrona Frau leather or a leather/Alcantara combination for the upholstery and new stitching available in four different combinations. Maserati also added door sills in carbon fiber featuring the "Special Edition logo" and the dedicated plate on the central tunnel with a carbon fiber holder, commemorating the anniversary and the limited production run of 400 units.
There are no changes in the drivetrain compartment, so both the GranTurismo and GranCabrio feature the standard
made, 4.7-liter V-8 rated at 454 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. Transmission choices include a six-speed sequential or automatic gearboxes.
Only 400 examples will be made, and chances are that the Sport Special is among the final iterations of the current GranTurismo and GranCabrio.
Continue reading for the full story.
It’s been five years since Maserati introduced the race-spec GranTurismo MC for the Trofeo World Series, and the Italians have finally decided to build a version for the international racing scene. Heavily based on the model developed for the one-make competition, the new car goes by the name GT4 and will be homologated for the European GT4 Championship and the U.S. Pirelli World Challenge. Although Maserati isn’t planning to run a works team, it will back several privateers starting 2016. As of December 2015, no fewer than 10 teams have placed orders for GT4-spec GranTurismo MCs.
“The Pirelli World Challenge, and the new European GT4 series, is an excellent opportunity for Maserati and all those teams and clients who want to race with a marque steeped in character and history. The budget is accessible and the series highly competitive and professional,” said Roberto Bozzi, sales & marketing motorsport manager at Maserati.
The new GT4 race car will mark Maserati’s return to the GT4 championship after six years. The Modena-based firm will provide technical support and replacement parts for the private teams competing in both championships and will create a special award for the best driver and team.
The GranTurismo MC GT4’s final set up will be established during the official pre-championship Balance of Performance (BoP) tests where the SRO homologation standards will be completed.
Continue reading to learn more about the Maserati GranTurismo MC GT4.
With the Alfieri set to be unveiled in 2016, Maserati is also working on a successor to the GranTurismo, which will surprisingly not feature a GranCabrio version anymore. The information comes straight from Maserati CEO Harald Wester, who recently spoke with Car Magazine about the matter at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. On schedule to be launched sometime in 2018, the next GranTurismo will likely share its architecture with the Ghibli and Quattroporte, but will only come with rear-wheel-drive, unlike the optionally AWD sedans.
"The convertible will be discontinued. The Americans love it, but one major market alone simply does not generate enough volume. The new coupe will be a fully focused driver’s car - nimble, agile, responsive and stuffed with serious V8 power, not to mention a cascade of low-end torque." Wester told Car Magazine. With Maserati all about sales volume after launching the successful Ghibli and Quattroporte, it’s no wonder that Wester wants to keep the momentum going.
It’s probable that the new GranTurismo will be equipped with a version of the twin-turbocharged, 3.8-liter V-8 currently used in the Quattroporte GTS, likely paired exclusively with an eight-speed automatic transmission from ZF – especially seeing that the manual transmission has gone the way of the dodo with companies like Ferrari. Don’t fret about Harald Wester’s decision though, as Maserati will not remain without a convertible in its lineup. The upcoming Alfieri is set to spawn an open-top version of its own, even though that model will be slightly smaller than the current GranCabrio.
Continue reading to learn more about the next Maserati GranTurismo.
Italian carmaker Maserati first introduced the GranTurismo in 2007 as a coupe. Right out of the box, this two-door from Modena presented an undeniably sexy design, plus impressive performance figures from a 399-horsepower, V-8 engine under a long, curvaceous hood. There were also two additional rear seats, albeit small ones, which were carried over when the GranCabrio was released two years later, making it Maserati’s first-ever four seat convertible.
Now, it appears as though Maserati will halt production of its convertible GranTurismo for the next generation, which is slated to hit the market late in 2017.
Speaking to UK publication AutoExpress, Maserati North Europe manager Peter Denton confirmed the move. “The GranTurismo will be replaced at the end of 2017, but as a coupe only. We feel the gap will be filled by the Alfieri Spider, due in early 2017.”
Cutting the Cabrio is part of Maserati’s recent big product overhaul, an effort designed to dramatically increase sales figures over the next three years. This includes the release of six new cars, including a revised Quattroporte and Ghibli, the Levante SUV, plus the Alfieri coupe and roadster. The new GranTurismo will top off the update with a design that is “more compact rather than bigger, ” according to Denton. “It’s simply the way the design language worked out.”
Note: Current Maserati GranTurismo pictured here.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2017 Maserati GranTurismo.
Maserati is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and just like pretty much every car brand that celebrates anniversaries these days, the Italian automaker is set to introduce a special-edition GranTurismo MC to commemorate the occasion. The car is called the GranTurismo MC Centennial Edition and as expected, it comes with a bevy of exterior and interior upgrades befitting a model that’s been designated with the important "anniversary model" label.
Give how incredibly sexy the GranTurismo MC already is in its standard guise, it seems like Maserati just found the perfect opportunity to create a limited run of GranTurismo MC models that makes it even more attractive. The GranTurismo MC Centennial Edition is set to become available in the next few months as either a coupe or a convertible model.
If deciding on getting one isn’t hard enough already, you now have to choose between getting a coupe or a drop-top. Then again, there are worse problems to have these days, and being in that situation should be considered a blessing.
Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Maserati GranTurismo MC Centennial Edition Coupe and Convertible.
Whenever you think of Italy, the first few things that come to your mind are pizza, cars, and fashion. But once you dive a little deeper, you’re going to realize that the country also has a rich auto design house industry. Whether its Pininfarina or Zagato or other design studios, Italy has loads of them to call its own.
One of the younger design studios in that part of the world is Camal Studio. We say ’young’ because it’s only been around for five years. But in that span, it’s produced some pretty interesting concepts, including the retro-stoked Fiat 500 Marcia Corta. This year, Camal Studio is back to present another one of its concepts, called the Tributo.
The car is based on the Maserati GranTurismo, which shouldn’t come as a surprise because it imbibes everything of what constitutes a fantastic Italian supercar. You’re going to notice the inspiration off the bat, too, particularly the sculptural lines, the extended wheel arches, and the aggressive front profile of the Tributo. It takes the shape of a fastback, which isn’t what you’d call the Gran Turismo, but the clean yet sophisticated way the Tributo was designed will certainly make its Italian counterpart proud.
According to Camal, the Tributo will also be powered by the same 4.7-liter V-8 engine that produces 443 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque, capable of hitting 60 mph in 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 185 mph.
For now, the Tributo is still in the rendering stage of its development, but we certainly wouldn’t mind seeing it on the road sooner than later.
Click past the jump to read about the Maserati GranTurismo Sport
If you ask us, most of the sports cars coming from Italian makers rarely need many upgrades as they are nearly perfect from the factory, and the Maserati MC Stradale is no exception. After all, it has everything it needs: beauty, power and impressive performance figures.
Still, there are tuners out there that think the MC Stradale can do much better. One of these tuners is Wheelsandmore and today it unveiled the Demonoxious - a specially prepared MC Stradale with an output of no less than 666 horsepower.
From start you have to agree the name is rather strange. It has "Demon" in it - most likely an indication of that 666 output level - but it also has "noxious" which means poison, or "substances that can harm or kill.”
Leaving the name aside, the kit is very cool. Wheelsandmore decided the car looks perfect from factory and decided to leave it that way - thanks for that - and focused only on upgrading its performance figures.
Click past the jump to read more about the Maserati MC Stradale "Demonoxious" by Wheelsandmore.
Florida-based tuner and audio specialists, Ultimate Auto, is making some waves for the right reasons. A few months ago, we showed you what it was able to do to a Dodge Challenger SRT8.
True to form, Ultimate Auto followed that up with a new program, this time for the Maserati GranTurismo MC. The first thing the tuner did to the Italian supercar was to give it set of 20-inch Forgiato wheels. All well and good, but the wheels aren’t the highlight of the program.
For that, we go to the interior where you’ll notice that the GranTurismo MC has a new audio system. Not surprising, considering Ultimate Auto happens to be an expert in that area. Pop open the suede trunk and there it is, a JL Audio 10W3 subwoofer and a custom-lighted carbon-fiber trim ring that suits the luxury trim on the GranTurismo MC’s interior cabin.
Another unique and quite useful addition to the program is the Escort 9500ci radar detector, a technology that automatically drops the GranTurismo MC’s speed before it gets detected by radar, as well as a laser diffuser system that can keep the cops out of the supercar’s hair.
With all that additions, coupled with the 4.7-liter V-8 engine that produces 443 horsepower and 376 pound-feet of torque, this GranTurismo MC is definitely one to take serious notice of. And hey, it doesn’t hurt that the car can hit 60 mph in 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 185 mph.
Of all the one-make racing series in the world, one that has really caught our attention is the Maserati Trofeo MC World Series. We like this series because it’s pretty competitive and because it features a race version of one of the supercars we love the most: the GranTurismo.
Maserati recently lifted the covers off of the GranTurismo MC Trofeo and just as it was last year, the 2013 version is all sorts of awesome.
Some modifications have been made to the 2013 GranTurismo MC Trofeo, including the widening of the track and the reduction of the weight, dropping it down to just 1,380 kg (3,042 pounds). But for the most part, the 2013 model is still pretty similar to its predecessor, including the it carrying the same 4.7-liter V-8 engine that produces roughly 490 horsepower.
The Maserati Trofeo MC World Series season is set to kick off in France this coming April 28th. Fifteen teams have already signed up for the series and with the aim of getting twenty teams on board, organizers are poised to have a pretty stout field that could rival the 84 drivers from 24 countries who competed during the 2012 season.
After being first unveiled at the 2010 Paris Auto Show, the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale is about to receive its first major update, which Maserati will display at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The most impressive updates include: a more powerful 4.7-liter V-8 engine, plus the availability of a 2+2 seating configuration — previous version was only offered with a two-seat configuration.
On the exterior, the new MC Stradale received a series of updates inspired by the Maserati MC Trofeo racecar, including a carbon-fiber hood and a set of forged alloy wheels. The interior is offers four comfortable seats and new, higher-quality materials. With all of these updates, the new MC Stradale is offers the perfect combination of sportiness, luxury and elegance; comfort and style; and functionality and dynamism.
Thanks to the more powerful engine, the new GranTurismo MC Stradale is now 2 mph faster than the previous model.
Hit the jump to read the more on the 2014 Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale.
A tragic incident happened yesterday at the Las Vegas Strip when a gunmen started to fire from a Range Rover into a Maserati and caused a terrific crash. The driver of the Maserati was shot, lost control of his car and smashed into a taxi. The taxi exploded into flames, killing the driver and a passenger.
The gunfire and the collision caused another four vehicles to crash and at least four people were injured, including the passenger in the Maserati. The police offered no details on the people hurt in the incident, but they identified the driver of the Maserati as aspiring rapper Kenneth Cherry Jr. — known to the hip-hop world as Kenny Clutch. In his YouTube video he appears rapping from a silver Maserati while cruising the Las Vegas Strip.
According to sources close to the situation, Cherry was killed in the crash, but the police still have not confirmed his death.
One of the witnesses of the incident said after the crash: "There was a loud bang and I hear two other booms. I looked out my window at Caesars Palace ... and could see the fireball."
The incident happened in the same zone where Tupac Shakur was shot on September 7, 1996, while riding in a BMW with Death Row Records co-founder Marion "Suge" Knight.
Just a few days ago we brought you a first rendering of the next-generation Maserati GranCabrio. Today is time to take a first look at its coupe sibling — the GranTurismo. Both models are part of Maserati’s bold plans of increasing its sales number to a total of 50,000 units a year — an impressive jump over the current 6,159 units.
Few details are known at this point about the next sports coupe, but who said we can’t speculate a little, right? The model will be smaller than the one it replaces and our rendering reveals a more aggressive design language. Up front we will see all-new headlamps, a redesigned front grille, a larger lip spoiler and larger air intakes. On the rear, Maserati will place redesigned taillights, a discrete rear spoiler and new tailpipes.
Under the hood, rumor has it that Maserati will place the company’s new V-8 engine developed by Ferrari at Maranello.
Just like with the GranCabrio version, the second-generation GranTurismo will be unveiled in 2014 with sales to being in early 2015.
Image Note: The above image is a TopSpeed rendering of the new GranTurismo and is not an official image.
Maserati’s long history began on December 1, 1914 and during this period, the company only managed to hit a production plan of 6,159 units a year (2012). The future, however, looks completely different, asthe Italian company plans to hit a sales target of 50,000 units per year by 2015.
In order to achieve this sales target, Maserati plans to add three new models to its lineup — a new sedan placed under the current Quattroporte, a SUV and a new baby sports car.
The first to arrive will be a small sedan, which was previously confirmed as the Ghibli. It will be launched sometime next year and will be priced at about €55,000 (about $73k at the current exchange rates). In 2014, Maserati will bring a new SUV, the Levante, to the market. It was previewed by the Kubang concept and will be based on the Jeep Grand Cherokee’s platform, but it will feature unique styling details. The Levante will be priced at €60,000 (about $80k).
2015 will be the busiest year for Maserati. First, the company will bring the next-generation GranTurismo and GranCabrio into production and a new sports car, which is rumored to be called GranSport. This latter model will target the Porsche 911 and will carry a base price of about €80,000 to €90,000 ($105,800 to $119,050).
So, keep an eye out for big changes in our favorite trident-bearing brand, as it morphs into a more mainstream auto manufacturer.
Maserati’s future looks quite promising. It has just unveiled the new Quattroporte, and we are waiting to see the production versions of the Kubang concept and the yet-to-be-named sports car below the current GranTurismo. However, it looks like these are not the only models to be offered by the company, as Autoweek is reporting, via a Maserati employee, that Maserati will soon offer up a new sports car placed above the current GranTurismo.
Said employee told the magazine that this won’t be just a special edition of the current GranTurismo, but an entirely new model with completely different bodywork and with a more powerful engine. We believe this engine to be a more powerful version of the current twin-turbocharged V-8 developed for the new Quattroporte.
No other details have been provided, but rumors say the new car will arrive on the market by 2015.
Stay tuned for more details!
Maserati Corse unveiled their new GranTurismo MC GT3 at the Fiat Industrial Village Motorfest in Turin, Italy, but the reveal was a little behind considering the vehicle has already shown everyone what it can do by winning its first race at the last Superstars GT Sprint at Italian Autodromo Di Vallelunga. Driver Alessandro Pier Guidi was behind the wheel during the victory.
This race was just a preparation for the upcoming Superstars GT race in Pergusa set to begin in just a few days. Maserati hasn’t made an appearance in this series since 2004, but the company is now ready for another round with a race car that seems to be screaming "Here I am!"
The new GranTurismo MC GT3 Race Car was based on the MC Stradale street-version, but it adds a more racing-inspired appearance with a new front spoiler lip, new side skirts, and a huge rear wing that will provide stability during high-speed racing.
Stay tuned for more details.
As you probably have noticed we have had tons of recalls in the past few months. It started with 10-20 units recalled here and there and culminated with the monstrous 7.4 million units recalled announced by Toyota. And now Maserati is also joining the recalling list with a total of 485 2012 Quattroporte, Granturismo, GranCabrio, and Granturismo MC vehicles.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) may malfunction due to a software error, preventing the driver from being notified of a low tire pressure situation. And if the driver will continue using the vehicle with a tire that has low air pressure, the tire may fail, increasing the risk of a crash.
So, if you drive such a more you should contact your local dealer and you’ll have the TPMS control unit replaced free of charge. The campaign is expected to begin in early November 2012. You may contact Maserati at 1-201-816-2600 in order to find out more details about the recall.
What’s better than one Italian thoroughbred? We know the answer to that one. Two!
But what’s better than two Italian thoroughbreds? A little tricky, but if you’re answer involves the names Heather Doss and Ashley Valderrama, then you get the jackpot!
So here’s where we’re at: it’s a photoshoot that has a Ferrari 360 and a Maserati GranTurismo. On top of that, we have a pair of too-hot-for-words models in the form of Heather Doss and Ashley Valderrama.
It doesn’t even matter where this shoot took place - apparently, it’s somewhere in the US - what’s important is that this intoxicating combination of Italian exotics and American sexiness is in full display with plenty of amazing photos, thanks to Itzkirb Photography.
Check out the gallery below and try to figure how Itzkirb Photography managed to fit all these pieces of hotness into a steamy batch of photos. Here’s a suggestion, though: don’t over think it and just enjoy the spread.
That’s what we did.
Many of us are still under the influence of the beautiful GranCabrio MC that was displayed at the 2012 Paris Auto Show, so we decided to stay on that path and bring you another Maserati to admire. Meet the luscious GranTurismo tuned by our favorite American tuner: SR Auto Group.
This is actually an updated version of the Deathbolt package introduced to the market in September 2011, but the tuner strayed away from the original sleep package to provide the sports car with a more distinguished look. Painted in a bright white exterior finish, the sports car now sits on a new set of PUR 4OUR Depth wheels sized 21" at front and 22" at the rear. The wheels combine a very cool finish of modern black and davinci red. The last addition is a new KW Clubsport Coilover system that gives the car a lower and more powerful look.
All we can say is that this car looks amazing and we definitely want it in our garage!
When we brought you the football installment of Car and Athlete last month, we described how superstar Lionel Messi, despite being considered the best football player in the world, had a pretty modest car collection compared to his peers.
Well, Messi is certainly doing his part building up his garage when a video on YouTube showed the Argentinian taking delivery of a brand-spankin’ new Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale.
The Italian supercar, with its 450-horsepower, 4.7-liter V8 engine has the credentials fitting of a world-class athlete like Messi. And while he still doesn’t have the car collection that his rival, Cristiano Ronaldo has, his new Maserati definitely brings those automotive swag credentials up a notch.
His new toy surely looks pretty sweet when lined up with his other high-priced rides. But if Messi really wants to make a statement, he should have ordered a one-off Pagani Zonda.
Now THAT would put Ronaldo in his place.
Wheelsandmore isn’t the type to obsess over building ridiculous body kits for their aftermarket programs. Instead of that, they’ve taken the time to adhere to a tried-and-tested formula: focus strictly on the engine.
That doesn’t appear to change now that the German tuner has revealed their latest program for the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale. The program is called "Pronto," which translates to "ready" in English. Well, judging by what they did to the this Italian supercar, it sure appears to be ready to take on all interested buyers.
Before diving into the performance modifications, it’s important to note that Wheelsandmore also paid careful attention in fitting the GranTurismo MC Stradale with a brand-spankin’ new set of 21" ultralight 6Sportz2 forged wheels while wrapping it in Pirelli P Zero Nero tires. From there, Wheelsandmore also improved the car’s compression and rebound adjustable coilover suspension.
Then there’s the main event upgrade that comes in the form of a new hand-made exhaust system and an ECU modification. The resulting modification increases the GranTurismo MC Stradale’s 4.7 liter V8 output to 480 ponies and 406 lb/ft of torque, an improvement of 30 horsepower and 30 lb/ft of torque from the standard model.
Whereas a lot of people will tell you how much they love Ferraris and Lamborghinis, we certainly don’t mind if we got our hands on a Maserati GranTurismo. Heck, it’s even better if that GranTurismo is the MC Stradale.
Noted tuner SR Auto Group loves the GranTurismo MC Stradale, too. So much, in fact, that they built a program for it called "Project Aurora." According to SR Auto Group, Project Aurora "is a sophisticated machine that has been transformed into a menacing beast." Appropriate description, especially when the Italian super car was dressed with a Frozen White exterior wrap with Matte Black accents while also being treated with a new H&R lowering suspension set-up and a new set of 21" and 22" PUR 1NE wheels finished in gloss black.
SR Auto Group opted to keep the engine straight, but even without any enhancements, the GranTurismo MC Stradale is as beast in its own right, one that’s capable of producing 450 horsepower and 376 lbs/ft of torque from its 4.7-liter V8 engine.
No explanations needed here, folks. Project Aurora is a bright, hot, and smoking piece of GranTurismo MC Stradale awesomeness.
The Need for Speed franchise has never been about pure racing thrills the way both Gran Turismo and Forza Motorsport are. While those two are all about burning rubber and collecting trophies, Need for Speed comes with added layers of story lines that make for a more dynamic gaming experience.
Their latest offering, called Need for Speed: Most Wanted, is no different.
Similar to previous NFS installments, Need for Speed: Most Wanted is a game that pits you against the authorities and engaging in a hellacious cat-and-mouse game throughout the city, complete with explosions, crashes, and yes, even road jumps.
Another new element added to the game is the involvement of Criterion Games, which allows for some of the best online multi-player challenges you and your friends can compete in.
In this trailer video for the game, we get to see what we’re in store for. Even better, there appears to be a roster of supercars that we’d love to take control of while playing the game. We see you, Lamborghini Aventador.
Need for Speed: Most Wanted is scheduled to be released later this year on a number of platforms, including the X360, the PS3, PC, the PS Vita, and iOS.
EA is already taking pre-orders for the game and if you do so, you get the chance to immediately own a Porsche 911 Carrera S and a Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale at no added cost.
You know it’s race season with all of the awesome races we are talking about and one lesser known, but equally awesome, race is set to take place June 15th – 17th, 2012. This race is appropriately dubbed the Pageant of Power, as it boasts some of the world’s fastest supercars all battling for the fastest lap time on a 1.2-mile-long track.
This race is headlined by a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport featuring a 258 mpg top speed, one of now 76 remaining Aston Martin One-77s following the horrific death of one earlier in the week, and a Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale. We venture to say that with the Bugatti is in this year’s running and the 62.68-second lap time record set by Nikki Faulkner in 2010 is in jeopardy, but we will have to wait and see.
The event is expected to pull in a total of 75,000 fans and with tickets starting at just £26 ($39) for a single-day pass and ranging up to £85 ($127.50) for a full 3-day pass with access to the fireworks display and the Mossley Brass Band show, there is no wonder it draws such a high number of fans. $127.50 for three days of supercars tearing up a track and a well-produced fireworks display to follow sounds like a sweet deal to us!
In addition to the supercars, there is a class dedicated only to AC Cobras with the same purpose of completing the 1.2-mile track in the shortest amount of time. There is also a series of Autograss races run throughout the weekend, which occur on a 400-meter-long oval soil track plus there is an ultra-technical Supermoto class, which is a mixture of motocross and road racing.
Needless to say, there is plenty of piston-thumping excitement throughout the entire weekend to keep any motorhead interested.
A lot of high-performance automakers have taken to spec-racing to show off their pride and joy exotics without having to worry about any sort of regulations. Racing series like these allows these exotics to be on their unchained best.
One automaker that has taken this route is Maserati, which is in the process of beginning the third season of the Trofeo World Series. Similar to what sister company Ferrari does on the Challenge Series, the Trofeo World Series features a field of specially prepared versions of the GranTurismo coupe, which has been upgraded with a new aerodynamic bodykit that not only reduces its overall weight, but does so to make it more competitive and race-ready.
According to Maserati, the GranTurismo racers are far better than their 2011 counterparts, having showed its improved performance in test sessions: 2.5 seconds a lap faster than the 2011 models.
All the cars that will compete in the Trofeo World Series have been made track-ready by a dedicated team of technicians, ensuring that all the drivers competing will be racing one a one-spec racing field.
Another new wrinkle for the 2012 Trofeo World Series is the inclusion of new legs in the calendar, including the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California and the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China, among others.
Anybody looking to bring the heat in the Trofeo series will need to pay €110,000 (about $140,117 at the current rates), excluding the race entry and test fees. For the four European stages, the price of admission is €70,000 (About $89,166 at the current rates), excluding fees, while private teams who want to bring their own cars will need to pay €35,000, excluding fees, for the entire championship and €25,000 (about $44,583 at the current rates), excluding fees, for the European legs only.
Just days after we brought you news of a 2013 BMW M5 crashing on the autobahn, we have yet more bad news from what seems to be a haunted-stretch of road. Not only has one supercar crashed on the Autobahn in recent days, four high supercars were actually totaled on the same stretch of German highway in just a few days.
This horrific chain of events all started last week when a luxurious, silver Maserati GranTurismo crashed on Wednesday while in the hands of its brand new owner. Arguably the most expensive car to crash out of the lot was a grey McLaren MP4-12C which was wiped out on Friday, after its 27-year-old owner lost control but fortunately managed to escape the incident uninjured.
The following day, the two remaining supercars were involved in separate incidents with the first car of the two to be written-off being an extremely exotic Dodge Viper ACR which had only been rented for the weekend with the renter having only been in possession of the 612 horsepower behemoth for just three hours. Unless the car was insured from the rental facility, the driver could be looking at an extremely hefty bill.
And finally, the forth supercar to crash along the same stretch of Autobahn was a silver Chevrolet Corvette Z06, which met its untimely demise by sliding off into an embankment.
Thus far, only the McLaren has been confirmed as a write-off while the Dodge Viper ACR and GranTurismo aren’t far off needing entire re-builds. It’s currently unclear if the German police are investigating these incidents and possibly looking into any faults in the road surface which may have played parts in each of the crashes.
The Geneva Motor Show never disappoints. Every year, we bear witness to some of the most amazing auto debuts on this event, and this year, it’s no different.
As far as sports cars and super cars are concerned, there were so many eye-popping debuts that literally made our heads spin. German sports cars, Italian super cars, special edition British super cars, and yes, there was even one exotic from Sweden that received an upgrade.
In this section, we’re going to dive into the sports cars and super cars that made their debuts at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The list runs pretty long so we suggest that you start heading over after the jump to check out which of these established brands made quite an impression on us at Geneva.
Find out more about the run-down of sports cars and super cars that made their debuts at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show after the jump.
Maserati chose the 2012 Geneva Motor Show to drop its new GranTurismo Sport, the model that is set to replace the current GranTurismo S. The Gran Turismo Sport adds increased performance and an elegant overall restyling that stresses its sporty nature. It will go on sale in Fall 2012.
The current GranTurismo S was unveiled back at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show and uses a 4.7 liter V8 engine that delivers 440 hp. The location of Maserati’s debut, as well as the engine powering have not changed, but the V8 has been tweaked to deliver a total of 460 HP. As a result, the new Sport version will sprint from 0 to 60 mph in under 4.7 seconds.
As for the exterior changes, the highlight of the new Granturismo Sport is a redesigned front bumper that optimizes the front air flow for both the engine and brakes. The headlights have received new DRL Led technology and the taillights were improved by an elegant, more aggressive, darker tone for the light clusters. The interior received completely redesigned front and rear seats, as well as a new steering wheel with a sportier and more muscular look.
UPDATE 03/06/2012: This review has been updated with new details and images for the Maserati GranTurismo Sport.
Hit the jump to read more about the Maserati Gran Turismo Sport.
Top gear Season 18 Episode 5
In the latest episode of Top Gear, Jeremy Clarkson got behind the wheel of one of the most impressive sports cars of the moment: a
Mercedes C63 AMG Coupe Black Series.
But he didn’t just test drive it; Clarkson put it up against Maserati’s GranTurismo MC Stradale to see how it would fair.
The result was an impressive show.
As a refresher: The C63 AMG Black Series is powered by a 6.3 liter V8 engine that delivers a total of 510 HP and a peak torque of 457 lb-ft. It sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.2 seconds and can hit a top speed of 155 mph.
It’s been a while since we last reported on a Maserati GranTurismo S, but this latest version has certainly got our attention. This is no ordinary GranTurismo S; this model has been given some expert attention by Diamond Black Exteriors - aka DBX - to spice it up.
In actuality, all the tuner really did was come up with a phenomenal exterior package, but that was enough to transform the Maserati from sexy to sexy as hell. The exterior package’s most recognizable feature is a very cool satin orange foil wrap with carbon fiber displayed on the hood, mirrors, door handles, and grille. The roof was then wrapped in matte black with an Orange Maserati Crown decal, while the headlights were tinted in iron and the taillights in medium smoke. The GranTurismo S now sits on a new set of 22" Foose Wheels with an orange and black crown on the center cups and color-matched satin orange brake calipers.
The Maserati GranTurismo S won’t go any faster, still powered by a 440 HP 4.7 liter V8 engine, but the sound will be a little richer coming out of the new custom axle black exhaust system.
Hit the jump to watch a video of the Maserati GranTurismo S by DBX.
Before we even get into the top list of sportscar for 2011, we think it would be best to clear something up: the new Porsche 911 would have definitely made the list if it wasn’t for the fact that it won’t be hitting Stateside until 2013.
That being said, we have a few top hitters for 2011 that we would be foolish not to take notice of. It was a battle trying to choose between the plethora of options provided in the sports car segment, but what we ended up with was a range of 450 HP to 560 HP, 0-60 mph sprint times between 4.6 seconds and 3.7 seconds, and speeds topping out between 186 mph and 198 mph.
Among the sportscar heavyweights is the intoxicating Jaguar XKR-S, the luscious BMW M5, the curvaceous Chevolet Camaro Z06, and the maddening Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale.
Hit the jump to check out each of these scintillating sports cars in detail.
Italy has been celebrating the 150th anniversary of its unification all throughout 2011. In the past 11 months, a number of Italian automakers have paid homage to this special year, including Ferrari, which christened their 2011 Formula One race car as the "150° Italia". Ferrari’s biggest rival, Lamborghini, also paid tribute to the occasion with the release of the 2011 Lamborghini Gallardo Tricolore. At the 2011 Bologna Motor Show, Maserati unveiled their celebratory vehicle in the form of the GranTurismo S Limited Edition.
The most unique feature of this special edition car is the Sebring Blue paint finish, but it also comes with certain carbon fiber elements to make it stand out. Elements such as the front and rear spoilers, the side mirrors, and the door handles highlight the blue finish, while polished aluminum calipers, side skirts, headlights, and a new set of 20" alloy wheels round out the exterior details of the special edition GranTurismo S.
As for the interior, Maserati added a carbon trim for the instrumentation, particularly on the center console and dashboard. Additionally, there’s also a tradition commemorative plaque that highlights its tribute to Italy’s 150th unification anniversary, complete with the official number of the model.
On the technical side, Maserati has yet to announce whether the GranTurismo S Limited Edition received performance modifications. Nevertheless, the sports car still carries a pretty impressive 4.7-liter V8 engine that produces 440 horsepower, mated to an electro-actuated MC-Shift manual transmission. This setup is good enough to post a 0-62 mph time of just 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 183 mph.
Maserati will only be releasing 12 models of the GranTurismo S Limited Edition, which means that you’re going to have to strike early to score one.
The Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale is one delicious sports car. Sure, it doesn’t carry the same esteem as its Ferrari sister, but it’s still a meaty and juicy sports coupe that just jumps out of the pack. And with Maseratis like this, you can always count on one tuning company to be front and center when it comes to producing some sickening performance modifications.
So hello there, Novitec. We see that you wasted little time in tweaking the sportiest Maserati model in the family.
Before we get to the new tweaks Novitec did under the GranTurismo MC Stradale’s hood, it’s worth noting that the Italian tuning company also worked on some aerodynamic details of the sports car, particularly a central air scoop on the hood that’s flanked by large air vents. There’s also a black-finish boot lid spoiler, two 105mm black-coated or polished tailpipes, lowered suspension springs, and a new set of 21" and 22" double-spoke design alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero high-performance tires.
As for the performance mods, Novitec added a new SUPERSPORT turbocharger to the sports car, as well as a new water-to-air intercooler, a larger manifold, bigger injectors, and a remapped ECU. With these modifications, Novitec was able to take the GranTurismo MC Stradale’s 4.2 liter V8 engine and improve its output from the standard 450 horsepower and 376 lb/ft of torque all the way up to 646 horsepower at 7,500 rpm and 460 lb/ft of torque at 5,600 rpm. The staggering increase in output also meant an improvement in performance numbers to the tune of a 0-62 mph time of 3.9 seconds a new top speed of 190 mph.
The only drawback to the program is that it costs €23,900 ($32,000). But hey, if you have the money to buy the car, then you can probably afford Novitec’s impressive tuning program.
Anytime we see a tuning package from SR Auto Group, we know that we are going to be in for quite a treat, but their latest tuning package is a little on the boring side. The American tuner has chosen to perk up the Maserati GranTurismo with a package called Project Deathbolt. The name may have been chosen for its intimidation factor, but this package is anything but.
SR Auto Group developed Project Deathbolt in cooperation with PUR Wheels who have measured out the perfect fitment to create the package’s defining stance. The team picked out a stunning effective split five spoke design set of wheels finished in a gloss black paint to tie in all of the black lower valences. Combined with a pure white exterior paint job, these black wheels are the stars of the show, but that’s an easy task to accomplish when nothing else was added.
Project Deathbolt will still be powered by the Maserati’s standard 4.2 liter V8 engine developing 405 HP and 339 lb-ft of torque which means customers will still get from 0-60 mph in 5.1 seconds with a top speed of 177 mph.
We still think SR Auto Group is a killer tuning firm, but if you need a reminder, just check out their Project Megalith based on the Ferrari 599 GTB.
The GranTurismo S Automatic has turned out to be Maserati’s most sold model on the British market and, as a thanks to their customers, the automaker is now offering a new Sport Pack as a bonus. The new add-on further enhances the GranTurismo S Automatic so that it delivers a performance oriented experience, but don’t expect that experience for free; the new package is priced at £3,840, or about $6,240 at the current exchange rates.
The most important feature of the new Sport Pack is a revised exhaust system which keeps its bypass valves fully open in Sport mode to provide an even richer sound. Next to this, the package also includes body colored side skirts and front winglets, a stylish black grille featuring the Maserati Trident logo with red accents, black mesh side grilles, black look headlights, an integrated rear boot lid spoiler, and oval exhaust pipes. Grigio Mercury Neptune-design alloy wheels finish off the Maserati’s sportier look.
Other than that, the GranTurismo S Automatic’s specifications remain unchanged. Look for the usual 4.7-liter V8 engine that delivers a total of 440 HP and a peak torque of 361 lbs-ft at 4750 rpm to get the vehicle from 0 to 60 mph in 5 seconds flat. Top speed remains at 183 mph.
Anderson Germany seems to have a thing for turning already superior sports cars into lean and mean beasts of the road with exquisite black exterior paint finishes and upgraded power outputs. Their most recent transformations have come for the Porsche Panamera and the Aston Martin DBS, but they are now revealing the GranTurismo S Superior Black Edition. Just like the previously spectacular tuning packages, the GranTurismo S Superior Black takes the standard model and adds the aggressiveness it needs with a matte black exterior finish and other upgraded features, as well as extra thump for the engine.
The body of the vehicle get a cool matte black paint job while the window frames, grill, and the rear logo are covered in a shiny black finish. Anderson Germany then covered the exterior mirrors, tailgate and roof ledges, and the lateral left and right air inlets in carbon fiber before finishing the vehicle off with a new set of 21" glossy black exclusive rims with carbon framing. The use of carbon fiber in these accessories has reduced the GranTurismo’s weight by a total of 28 lbs.
Once the doors are opened, it becomes abundantly clear that Anderson Germany has also used carbon fiber to enrich the inside of the Maserati. The air inlets, door knobs, the switch desk in the roof liner, the door sill panels, the steering wheel, the seat regulation levers, the shifting paddles, and the radio mask are all made of carbon fiber. The luxury continues with black carbon leather seats with black Alcantara, keder piping, and red rhombus seams.
Anderson Germany continued to throw themselves into this tuning kit by providing an exhaust enhancement, racing cats, and software optimization for the GranTurismo’s 4.7 liter V8. These additions brought the output to 492 HP from the standard 440 HP.
Maserati may err on the side of of caution when choosing between luxury and speed, but eventually speed-loving fanatics have no choice but to reveal their road-gripping, fire-breathing side. Alas, we now have evidence of Maserati’s wild side. Just a couple of weeks before the Italian luxury brand was set to unveil their new special edition Gran Turismo at the Paris Auto Show, the company has jumped the gun and released the first official details of the fastest, lightest, and most powerful Maserati in the line-up. We hope everyone is just as intrigued as we were because this is a side of Maserati that should come out more often.
The special edition is called the GranTurismo MC Stradale and is due to go on sale in Europe in the first quarter of 2011 with a U.S. launch shortly thereafter. It is powered by a 4.7 liter V8 engine that delivers 450 HP - an improvement over the standard 405 HP - while still offering the same fuel consumption as a standard Gran Turismo. It also comes with an improved aerodynamic down force and will brake the 186 mph barrier.
Inspired by the Trofeo GranTurismo MC and the race-winning GT4 motorsport models, the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale special edition has been tweaked and modified as a direct result of the lessons learned from Maserati’s three racing programs. But what makes this vehicle even better is that it’s road legal.
More details about the car will be released closer to its official unveiling.
UPDATE 07/27/2011: Maserati North American has announced that the new MC Stradale will go on sale at a starting price of $139,000. With its 185 mph top speed, this will be the fastest Maserati offered on the US market.
Hit the jump to read more about the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale.
In its standard version, the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale delivers a total of 450 HP - an impressive output over the GranTurismo’s standard 420 HP, but nothing compared to what DMC is capable. The German tuner has found a simple way to boost the power up to 590HP, and threw in an exterior and interior package as a bonus.
In order to obtain the extra 140 HP, DMC opted to pair the Maserati’s 4.7 liter V8 engine with a supercharger and a new exhaust system. Those simple additions allowed DMC to turn the MC Stradale into a fire breathing dragon.
Every other modification would be considered chump change next to the engine boost, but DMC tackled the exterior and interior anyway. The exterior was smoothed over with plenty of cabron fiber parts, including a new front bumper, a new spoiler lip to improve downforce, new air inlets and outlets, and new Wide Body side skirts. The rear of the vehicle gets a rear trunk spoiler and a rear diffuser, while the whole look is finished off with a new set of 20" forged alloy wheels. As for the interior, DMC opted for the finest leather with carbon fiber for the seats, doors, dash, and cabin-ski.
Our only problem with this package is that they downgraded from the last MC Stradale package they created. Last year’s model was pushed all the way to 600 HP and featured a couple of other exterior features to help the engine along, like three air-vents, one on each side consisting of three air-stairs to go with the cooling vent in the center.
Efficiency is turning into a four letter word for speed freaks considering the fact that recent automaker decisions have been in favor of saving at the pump and losing at the 0-60 mph mark. It’s unfortunate, but the walls are coming in and it’s getting a little too difficult to breathe for some automakers. Upping the ante on efficiency is what it will take for continued success and that is what Maserati plans to have as soon as it ditches the Ferrari-borrowed V8s found in the Quattroporte and GranTurismo line-up.
Rumors are now circulating that the Italian luxury car manufacturer is steering clear of their usual V8 powertrains in favor of a twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter version of the Chrysler’s Pentastar. Apparently the V8s were light on low-end torque and didn’t provide adequate fuel economy. We can’t say we are in favor of Maserati’s decision, but hard times call for hard measures.
In its standard version, the Pentastar V6 delivers a total of 280 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque, however this engine has been tested in many flavors on both European and American markets and will hopefully produce just as much horsepower in a twin turbo variant. At least, that’s what we’re hoping for Maserati’s sake.
Italian automaker, Maserati, is getting ready for the inaugural season of the Trofeo JBF RAK Middle East, a one-make racing series that will feature 12 races spread across the Middle East competed by 16 cars of the same kind. For this race, Maserati has announced the use of the new GranTurismo MC Trofeo JBF RAK Race Car, which will be used by the racers while being maintained and managed by Maserati themselves for the entire 12-race calendar. For the GranTurismo MC Trofeo JBF RAK Race Car, Maserati is outfitting the rear-wheel drive race car with a 4.7-liter V8 engine that produces 488 horsepower.
The season is set to kick off on November 11, 2011 and will feature races in venues across the Middle East, including the Yas Marinas F1 circuit in Abu Dhabi, the Bahrain International Circuit in Bahrain, the Dubai Autodrome in Dubai, and the Losail Ciruit in Qatar. Those interested in driving the GranTurismo MC Trofeo JBF RAK Race Car will have to fork over an entry fee of $135,000 to $145,000, which, in addition to driving the car, will also come with logistical management of the car, technical assistance at the circuit, a Maserati Trofeo race suit, and VIP hospitality for driver and guests.
It’s hard to find that kind of money lying around, but if we did have the funds for it, we’d jump at the opportunity to be part of this new Maserati racing series.
The current Maserati line-up includes the Quattroporte, the GranTurismo, and the GranCabrio, but things are about to get a little more populated with addition of a new sedan and a new SUV. The company has already begun developing these models and we should start see the fruits of their labor sometime in 2012, with the last model - the SUV - arriving in 2014. Before that, a new generation Quattroporte will be coming off of the production block, followed by a smaller model that will take on the likes of the BMW 5-Series.
Both sedans are being designed by Pininfarina and the Fiat Auto Centro Stile as we speak and they will be offered with either a 400-hp MultiAir-equipped, turbocharged version of the Pentastar V-6 or a 300 HP V6 turbo-diesel. The engines will be mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox that will help improve fuel consumption.
The new SUV arriving in 2014 - earlier said to be 2012 - will be the first one landing on the Maserati lineup and will be based on the Grand Cherokee platform. Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Chrysler Group and Fiat, has already confirmed that the new model will be fitted with a "rock and roll engine" from Ferrari, possibly in both V8 and V12 variants. The company has already invested $750 million for its production.
Maserati has revealed an impressive video that shows their entire line-up in action. The GranTurismo MC Stradale, the GranCabrio, the GranTurismo, and the Quattroporte are all presented showing off their stuff and tempting all of us to choose their favorite Maserati model. We couldn’t make that decision, so we’ll leave it up to you to decide which model would be the best for a perfect summer drive.
We’re big fans of Maserati anyway, but now that the company has brought the GranTurismo MC to the American market, we have many more reasons to appreciate it. We have to remind you that the MC will be the fastest model ever offered by Maserati over in the States, so if you want a pretty cool car in your garage this might be the perfect time to start saving. And save that cash fast, as we’d bet money the car will only be offered in limited numbers.
Maserati unveiled the GranTurismo MC Stradale at the 2010 Paris Auto Show, but the company is now bringing the North American version of the car to the New York Auto Show. It’s not exactly the street-legal machine found with the Stradale nameplate, though. This is the Maserati Corse (MC) which means we have a racing setup with no hopes to take it out on the streets. Eliminate the Stradale wording, add a new transmission and two rear seats, and you get a car that will only be sold on the US and Canadian market, strictly for track use.
The new GranTurismo MC will be the fastest production car Maserati has ever sold in the US market. It is powered by a 4.7-liter all-alloy V8 engine that delivers 443 HP at 7000rpm and and a peak torque of 376 lbs-ft at 4750rpm. This translates into enough power to sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and hit a top speed of 185 mph. The MC version comes with a automatic gearbox instead of the Race Shift transmission that was used for the Stradale version.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Maserati GranTurismo MC.
A car’s elegance should be kept even after applying a tuning package, and that is exactly what tuner, Wheelsandmore, believe and achieve for all of their tuning programs. For example, their new package for the Maserati Granturismo offers a hint of an exterior package, as well as a little more power as a minimalistic approach to making the sports car that much more appealing.
For the engine, the tuner is offering an ecu upgrade combined with a new handmade stainless steel exhaust system with valve flaps. The result is a total of 447 HP and 500 lb-ft of torque.
The performance is further upgraded with the special forged, lightweight 20" 6Sporz wheels with Dunlop Sportmaxx GT tires, 265/30/20 at the front and 325/30/20 at the rear.
The package for the Maserati GranTurismo is rounded off with a Street Comfort coilover kit made by KW suspensions in Germany. This kit can also be used for cars with a serial skyhook suspension.
It wasn’t that long when DMC caught our attention with their tuning package for the Ferrari California, which they called the ‘Surfista’. Now the German tuners are back with yet another styling kit, only this time it’s for the Ferrari California’s “sister”, the Maserati Gran Turismo MC Stradale. Even weirder is the fact that while the MC Stradale isn’t out yet – it’s scheduled to go on sale in Europe early next year – DMC’s styling kit isn’t just for the MC Stradale, but also allows for even a standard Gran Turismo to turn into an MC Stradale.
Heck, they even gave it a name: Grande Sovrano, which, in case you didn’t know, means ‘Great Ruler’.
Not that we’re being obvious or anything, but, to put it plainly, this DMC tuning package gives you the opportunity to turn your Maserati Gran Turismo into an MC Stradale before the actual model comes out, so take advantage of this opportunity.
Details after the jump.