Building a Maserati Fuel Line

National Geographic spotlights automotive factories around the world and is currently focusing on one of my all-time favorites: Maserati. Even better, they are covering the building of my preferred model: the GranTurismo S.

For more information go to:  National Geographic's "Ultimate Factories"

Maserati MC Corse Takes the Granturismo S to the Track

Maserati MC Corse Concept
Higher performance and less weight than the S = racer to be reckoned with

Maserati has produced an FIA racecar based on the Granturismo S. Not content to rest on its laurels as having one of the most beautiful and fast coupes on the market, Maserati is preparing to assault the track with the MC Corse. Various bits from the MC Sportline catalog in the form of carbon fiber body and interior updates will be available for Granturismo owners in the near future as well.

Interior carbon fiber bits for the Granturismo and Granturismo S

Granturismo with MC Sportline Exterior Enhancements

Wheels, carbon fiber mirrors, doorhandles plus more aerodynamic sideskirts and front splitter offered by the MC Sportline. Not shown is the more aggressive carbon fiber trunklid spoiler, basically a larger version of the integrated spoiler on the Granturismo S.

Automotive Bliss: The Maserati Granturismo S

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:

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...

Italian Thrill: Driving the Rare Maserati GranTurismo S

I had the opportunity to drive one of only two 2009 Maserati GranTurismo S vehicles currently in the United States by invitation from Maserati Beverly Hills. Deliveries of these cars is slated to begin during the fall of 2008 and production will be strictly limited to a one year run with total US allocation of a rumored 250 to 300 cars. How is the car? One word: Outstanding! I've driven the "standard" GranTurismo and that was very nice; "a sense of occasion" being an apt description. The S is immediately yet subtlely distinguishable from its sibling car by its bespoke 20" wheels, an integrated bootlid spoiler, black headlight surrounds and black grille, and revised and more aerodynamic side skirts. The total effect is a more aggressive yet still very elegant look. The 2009 range has also added bluetooth and iPod/MP3 capability. Satellite radio will also be on offer soon. I love it...

On the test drive. Shame the camera could not pick up just how marvelous the engine sounds!

My drive in the S was much longer than my brief jaunt in the standard GranTurismo. Two things I noticed very quickly: the revised spring and damper setup was firm yet comfortable. No settings here like the GranTurismo and its electronically controlled "Skyhook" suspension. The more sporting and fixed S setup made the car feel smaller than it really is because the GranTurismo is a pretty large GT that genuinely holds four persons in comfort. Roadholding is superb. I've heard that the revised suspension can be a bit bumpy on less than smooth pavement but I didn't notice.

Getting to know the new Maserati GranTurismo S

Red engine heads... as opposed to the "standard's" Maserati blue

Behind the wheel of the S

The larger paddles behind the steering wheel were easy to find no matter what the position of the hands on the steering wheel. These paddles were linked to the "manual" MC-Shift clutch/gearbox which resides in the rear of the vehicle for better weight distribution. With shifts as quick as 100 milliseconds, the clutchless manual paddleshift gave smooth and very quick shifts. Good fun.

The biggest grin maker: the 4.7 liter, 440 HP 8 cylinder Ferrari designed motor (as opposed to the 4.2 liter standard). Lots of torque and power that really makes the S get up and go. Any complaints about the GranTurismo's power are vanquished with this engine. Not only the power is noticeable, push the "Sport" button on the dash and the sound of the car will make any car enthusiast's hair stand on-end! Absolutely marvelous sound that is simply lovely to hear. It puts many other cars at twice the price to shame...

Can you tell that I like this car yet??? :-)

I should have some interesting news about the GranTurismo S later in the year. Stay tuned.

Maserati Granturismo S, Time to get serious!

Well, it's here by the end of 2008, the car I really wanted Maserati to build. Not much more to be said but "Wow!". The GT's introduction at the recent Geneva Auto Show has piled on my desire to get behind the wheel of this drop-dead gorgeous machine. Time to get serious about putting a deposit down...

Overview of the Granturismo S

Edmunds.com impressions from the 2008 Geneva Auto Show