Thursday, November 27, 2008
Happy Thanksgiving!
To all in the USA and wherever you may find yourself today a wonderful and happy Thanksgiving weekend!
Maserati Granturismo S Comes Home
Well, the November surprise is here: the 2009 Maserati Granturismo S is home. Actually I've had the car since the first week of November but I haven't had a lot of time lately to post on the blog.
First off, and it probably doesn't need much mentioning, but the GT-S is an incredible car. Solid feel and quality throughout, the GT-S is hands down the best GT car I've ever driven. The sound of the exhaust in "Sport" mode is incredible for a "stock" car, let alone an "exotic". The Graziano paddleshift clutchless manual is supremely smooth and fast in MC-Shift mode. In the realm of high-end vehicles the looks, powerplant (4.7 liter Ferrari based but Maserati massaged V8), transmission, and comforts can't be beat. The car is a rarity to boot since only 300 are meant for production with 120 coming U.S. stateside.
I was the fortunate first delivery at Maserati Beverly Hills. I was able to spec the car last spring and pretty much had a huge "sandbox" of options to play with. Of course I was nervous to see how my car would turn out... wondering all along if my choices may not look as good in the flesh as I'd hoped, but the result I think is a great success. I am very happy with the yellow calipers and the yellow contrasting stitching I chose for the interior.
Anyway the first three weeks of life with the Maser beauty have been grand indeed.
Here are some photos:
First off, and it probably doesn't need much mentioning, but the GT-S is an incredible car. Solid feel and quality throughout, the GT-S is hands down the best GT car I've ever driven. The sound of the exhaust in "Sport" mode is incredible for a "stock" car, let alone an "exotic". The Graziano paddleshift clutchless manual is supremely smooth and fast in MC-Shift mode. In the realm of high-end vehicles the looks, powerplant (4.7 liter Ferrari based but Maserati massaged V8), transmission, and comforts can't be beat. The car is a rarity to boot since only 300 are meant for production with 120 coming U.S. stateside.
I was the fortunate first delivery at Maserati Beverly Hills. I was able to spec the car last spring and pretty much had a huge "sandbox" of options to play with. Of course I was nervous to see how my car would turn out... wondering all along if my choices may not look as good in the flesh as I'd hoped, but the result I think is a great success. I am very happy with the yellow calipers and the yellow contrasting stitching I chose for the interior.
Anyway the first three weeks of life with the Maser beauty have been grand indeed.
Here are some photos:
4.7 badge and trunk/boot integrated spoiler are a subtle difference from standard Granturismo
Coming to grips with the car's controls
La bella macchina!
At Transhine Detailing after installation of "Auto Armor" paint protection
The Granturismo S should prove to be a viable "daily" driver. Not that I'll be driving it everyday but unlike the F355 Spider that I only drive occasionally this car is meant to be driven. Unlike the Ferrari's belt driven cams and intensive and expensive "engine out" maintenance, the Maser uses chains. Maintenance intervals while not inexpensive should be less than on most Ferraris and not quite as frequent. All the exotica without quite the expense... sounds good to me.
The GT-S is ready to roll...
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Abarth 500 on Top Gear UK
Jeremy Clarkson and the Stig put the Abarth 500 to the test!
Video is the property of Top Gear/BBC Productions
Video is the property of Top Gear/BBC Productions
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)