Vehicle Description
The MC stands for Maserati Corse, the division that runs Maseratis
racing activities, but its also borrowed from the hard-core MC
Stradale version of the GranTurismo. Like classic two-door
Maseratis of the past, such as the gorgeous Ghibli (oddly enough,
its a four-door these days), the GranTurismo is beautifully styled,
and any further enhancement seems superfluous except for a nip and
tuck here and there. The blacked-out 20-inch wheels add a touch of
menace, as do the artistically integrated heat extraction vents
sculptured into the lightweight aluminium bonnet. Its all very
tasty stuff and all the more attractive when set off against the
Blu Sofisticato paint job of our test model. Under the bonnet its
no less thrilling a Ferrari- derived naturally aspirated 4.7-litre
V8 mated to a traditional six-speed auto transmission. Off the
line, it can hit 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and top speed is 298km/h
with the standard auto, or 300km/h with the robotized manual
option. More on that later. The Maserati is special, boasting an
interior that offers a blend of sophisticated luxury and Italian
craftsmanship, the quality of the materials and attention to detail
are a level above the competition. Highlights include the
super-supple Poltrona Frau leather trim, created by hand to mark
the century of Maserati. The front seats use carbon-fibre backs for
less weight and more legroom. In fact, its the comfort afforded to
its rear seat passengers that sets the GranTurismo apart from its
two-door GT rivals theres room enough back there for two full-size
adults to travel in five-star luxury, and that includes longer
journeys.
