Maserati GranTurismo MC Review 2018 Review
We got the opportunity to test drive the famous Maserati GranTurismo MC. Here are our thoughts on 2018’s more refined version of the car.
What is the Maserati GranTurismo MC all about?
The GranTurismo is the most seductive model in the range. Designed by luxury Italian firm Pininfarina, it is brand-defining for Maserati.
The vehicle is a two door, four seater coupe that offers a naturally-aspirated Ferrari V8 engine. The looks and make-up of this car means it is a very strong contender for the ultimate Grand Tourer. The GranTurismo is available in two trim levels: Sport and MC(Maserati Corsa). The Sport trim can be purchased from £92,230, while the MC trim starts at £107,865. If you opt for the MC spec, you will get a vented bonnet in carbon fibre, stiffer suspension, 20-inch ‘Trofeo’ forged wheels (10% lighter than the standard alloys), MC side skirts and a lighter exhaust system, which means you can completely bypass the silencer boxes when used in Sport mode.
For 2018, the exterior styling has been tweaked to offer more aggressive aerodynamic efficiencies. These innovations improve airflow for both downforce and drag coefficiencies. The design of the Maserati GranTurismo is perfectly executed and will suit customers who want a performance-focused car that will wow the crowds.
Our test model, the Maserati GranTurismo MC is powered by a 4.7-litre, V8 petrol engine that creates 460hp and 520Nm of torque. The car uses a six-speed ZF automatic gearbox to power the rear wheels. Together, this means that the vehicle can accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.7 seconds, with a top speed of 187mph.
And in terms of economy, it will achieve around 19 mpg whilst creating 331 g/km of Co2.
How does it drive?
I was very excited to drive this Maserati GranTurismo MC performance car. Inside you are seated almost at the centre of the wheels and feel very low down.
When you hit the start button, the 4.7-litre V8 fires up and instantly you can feel the car vibrate. Your driving experience is very raw and this is before getting up to any serious speed. The car responds quickly to driver inputs and you can feel the feedback via the steering wheel and pedals.
After spending time driving the Maserati on the test circuit, I was in awe of this machine. The Ferrari engine is a joy to hear; being naturally aspirated, it revs up quickly to the touch of the throttle. The sound from the exhaust in Sports mode is near perfect, a deep throaty growl that will make you prick up your ears.
When powering forward in a straight line, the torque in the car feels almost infinite. This makes standing starts or overtakes a breeze and the execution of the power is addictive.
Cornering is the Maserati GranTurismo’s party piece. It uses the fourth-generation Pirelli P Zero tyres which work very well on the 20″ Forged wheels. On a dry day when testing the handling characteristics of the car, the performance was impeccable. The turn-in and poise of the car was incredible and the P Zero tyres have exceptional grip. Hopefully, the car will perform just as well in wet conditions.
The six-speed ZF automatic gearbox works really well in the Maserati. It has five different operating modes: Auto-Normal, Auto-Sport, Manual-Normal, Manual-Sport and ICE modes. In the fastest mode, it was able to complete gearshifts in a lightning fast 100 milliseconds, which makes the GranTurismo a true performance car.
Lastly, if you do drive slowly, it is very comfortable and easy to operate because of that six-speed ZF automatic gearbox.
What is it like inside?
First things first, you won’t be buying this car for its interior quality or design. You will be buying it for its power, handling and driving experience.
The interior of the car has been refined for 2018. New features include: an infotainment system with an 8.4” high-resolution capacitive touchscreen plus Apple Car Play and Android Auto, a re-designed central console with double rotary control, a new double dial Maserati clock and now as standard, the Harman Kardon Premium sound system.
The interior is true to Maserati’s roots, with a nice use of materials. The sports seats mould your body in the driving position, feeling firm, but comfortable. I would love to try them out on a long journey.
Next up, you will notice a plain looking steering wheel with a tall gear paddle placed either side. The steering set-up looks sporty, but some might argue that it is beginning to look dated.
The infotainment system is bang up-to-date and offers all the latest innovations such as DAB radio, SatNav, Apple Car Play and Android Auto. However, you will notice that updating the infotainment system does date the heating controls underneath slightly. But as soon as you open the windows and listen to the exhaust sound, you will soon forget about that.
The Experience
The driving experience is the biggest strength of the Maserati GranTurismo. The car feels as if every element has been designed to excite the senses. Simple improvements snowball into a bigger effect, such as: the pitch-perfect 4.7-litre V8 engine, which sounds like a finely tuned instrument and vibrates through the car. Coupled with the responsive steering and the constant feedback, they make for a thrilling drive.
Verdict
At £107,865 the Maserati GranTurismo is an expensive buy. It is an emotional purchase for the car enthusiast looking for excitement. This Maserati will reignite your love of driving, regardless of your level of skill or appetite for danger.
The GranTurismo provides high-speed stability, low-speed drama and excitement all in one package. For the money, there are plenty of other vehicles to consider, but I doubt any will get the blood pumping and the heart racing like the Maserati GranTurismo MC.
Specification
Maserati GranTurismo MC Specs
- Price: £107,865
- Engine: 4.7-litre V8 NA Petrol
- Power: 460bhp
- Torque: 520Nm
- Transmission: 6-Speed ZF Automatic
- 0-62mph: 4.7 Seconds
- Top speed: 187mph
- Weight: 1,873kg
- Economy: 19MPG
- CO2: 331g/km
Author: Paul Hadley
