Maserati GranTurismo

The Maserati GranTurismo is a two-door 2+2 coupé produced by Maserati. It shares the platform of the Maserati Quattroporte V.

The vehicle was unveiled in 2007 Geneva Motor Show. The GranTurismo has a drag coefficient of 0.33. The standard version has a 4.2 litre V8 engine designed in conjunction with Ferrari with 405 PS and automatic ZF gearbox six-speed transmission. The 2+2 body has been derived from the Maserati Quattroporte V, with double-wishbone front suspensions and a multilink rear suspension. The car is a GT that emphasis comfort in harmony with speed and driver-enjoyment.

The S version was unveiled in 2008 Geneva Motor show and features a 4.7 litre V8 engine rated 440 PS at 7000 rpm and 490 N·m at 4750 rpm, a robotic 6-speed sequential semi-automatic transmission with transaxle layout, 47% front and 53% rear weight distribution. The standard suspension set-up is fixed-setting steel dampers, with the Skyhook adaptive suspension available as an option. It was available in the North American market only for 2009 MY

It is a limited production car based on the GranTurismo MC Concept, but included 6-points seat-belt, 120 L fuel tank, 380 mm front and 326 mm rear brake disc with 6-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers, 11x18-in wheels with 305/645/18 front and 305/680/18 rear tires, carbon fiber shock absorbers.

The vehicle was unveiled in Paul Ricard circuit, in France. It went on sale in 2009-10 at Maserati Corse with MSRP of €135,000..

It is a version of Maserati GranTurismo S with ZF 6-speed automatic transmission from the base model vehicle, standard Skyhook adaptive suspension, alternate under-door mini-skirts, 20 inch wheel rims with "Trident" design, standard Bluetooth wireless technology and iPod interface.

It is a customization programme based on the works on GranTurismo MC Concept. Changes include front and rear carbon-fibre spoilers, carbon fibre mirror housings and door handles, 20 inch wheel rims, carbon fibre interior, stiffer springs, shock absorbers and anti-roll bars with custom Maserati Stability Programme software and 10 mm lower height than GranTurismo S. The programme was initially offered in GranTurismo S, with the product line expanded to all GranTurismo vehicle and all Maserati vehicles in 2009. Fifteen GranTurismo MC racecars were developed, homologated for the European Cup and National Endurance Series, one of which was taken to be raced by GT motorsport organization Cool Victory in Dubai in January, 2010.

Replacing both the GranTurismo S and S Automatica, the Granturismo Sport was unveiled in March 2012 at the Geneva Motor Show. The revised 4.7L engine is rated 460 PS. The Sport features a unique, MC Stradale inspired front fascia, new headlights and new, sportier steering wheel and seats. The ZF six-speed automatic gearbox is now standard, while the six-speed sequential transaxle is available as an option. The latter has steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, a feature that’s optional with the automatic gearbox.

In September 2010, Maserati released that they will be officially showing a new version of the GranTurismo - the MC Stradale - at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The strictly two-seat MC Stradale is more powerful, Friction reduction accounts for the increase, says Maserati, thanks to the strategic use of “diamond-like coating,” an antifriction technology derived from Formula 1, on wear parts such as the cams and followers. It's also 110kgs lighter from the Granturismo, and more aerodynamic than any previous GranTurismo model - all with the same fuel consumption as the regular GranTurismo. In addition to two slits in the bonnet, the MC Stradale also receives a new front splitter and rear air dam for better aerodynamics, downforce, and improved cooling of carbon ceramic brakes and engine. The body modifications make the car 48 mm longer.

The MC Race Shift 6-speed robotised manual gearbox usually operates in an "auto" mode, but the driver can switch this to 'sport' or 'race', which affects gearbox operations, suspension, traction control, and even the sound of the engine. The MC Stradale is the first GranTurismo to break the 300 km/h barrier, with a claimed top speed of 303 km/h.

The MC Stradale’s suspension is eight per cent stiffer and the car rides slightly lower than the GranTurismo S following feedback from racing drivers who appreciated the better grip and intuitive driving feel of the lower profile. Pirelli has custom-designed extra-wide 20-inch PZero Corsa tyres to fit new flow-formed alloy wheels.

The Brembo braking system with carbon ceramic discs weighs around 60% less than the traditional system with steel discs. The front is equipped with 380 x 34mm ventilated discs, operated by a powerful 6 piston caliper. The rear discs measure 360 x 32mm with a four piston caliper. The stopping distance is just 33 metres at 100 km/hr with an average deceleration of 1.2g.

At the 2013 Geneva Motor Show a new GranTurismo MC Stradale will debut. It will feature a 4.7 litre, 460 HP V8 engine as well as the MC Race Shift 6-speed robotised manual gearbox which will shift in 60 milliseconds in 'race' mode. The Top Speed is at 188 mph. It will be built at the historic factory in viale Ciro Menotti in Modena.

The push for the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale came from existing Maserati customers who wanted a road-legal super sports car that looked and felt like the GT4 and Trofeo race cars.

The engines are from Ferrari/Maserati V8 family.

ZF transmission includes Auto Normal Mode, Auto Sport Mode, Auto ICE Mode, Manual Mode. Auto Normal mode shifts gears automatically at low rpm to achieve the most comfortable ride and at higher rpm when driving style becomes more sporty. Auto Sport Mode changes gears 40% faster than in Normal Mode, downshifts when lifting off as a corner approaches; then it activates the stability control, stiffening Skyhook suspension, and opening exhaust valves when engine is over 3000 rpm (in GranTurismo S Automatic). Auto ICE mode reduces maximum torque at the wheel, prevents 1st gear starts, and only allows gear changes below 1000 rpm.

Sequential robotic transmission includes Manual Normal and Manual Sport, Manual Sport with MC-Shift, Auto Normal, Auto Sport, Auto ICE modes.

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