Maserati GranTurismo Sport

Published by Gerald Ferreira Date: October 4, 2012
Categories: Maserati, Maserati GranTurismo

More power, more torque, more menacing bodywork and a more spacious interior

The magnificent new Maserati GranTurismo Sport was launched in South Africa at two long-awaited events held in Johannesburg and Cape Town at the end of September, 2012.

This magnificent new machine — an evolution of the GranTurismo S and the GranTurismo S Automatic — improves on Maserati’s tradition of offering rich sporting character and high performance while also delivering luxury and comfort for four adults.

Already one of the most celebrated designs in the sports car world, the restyling of the GranTurismo Sport’s bodywork perfectly blends hints of the MC Stradale with the precise sharpness of the GranTurismo.

One of the most noticeable areas of external change is the more-pronounced dynamism in its aggressive nose, thanks largely to changes designed to improve both the aerodynamics and the front brake cooling.

The interior of the GranTurismo has always been the perfect amalgamation of athletic prowess and luxury craftsmanship, and this new addition to the family boasts both a design and performance makeover. New front and rear seats, for example, are not only easy on the eye but also provide better support as well as optimised comfort for the driver and passengers on longer journeys.

With its Electro-Actuated gearbox, the new GranTurismo Sport is now capable of sprinting to 100km/h in only 4.7 seconds. This is an improvement of 0.2 seconds over the GranTurismo S.

Its top speed has also risen and the GranTurismo Sport is now able to reach 300km/h — the benchmark speed that approaches supercar performance.

Originally unveiled at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, the GranTurismo Sport has been designed to stand out from the coupé market, and judging by the overwhelmingly positive response it has received in South Africa, we can safely say it has achieved this with ease.

“As a brand, Maserati is entering a new era. The subtle, but significant additions and changes to the GranTurismo Sport are but a small reflection of even greater things to come,” said Meryn Eagles, Viglietti Motors CEO.

SPECIFICATIONS

Body:
Two-door coupe

Length / width / height:
4881mm / 1915mm* / 1353mm

Wheelbase:
2942mm

Front / rear track width:
1586mm / 1590mm

Front / rear overhang:
873mm / 1066mm

Dry weight (EU):
1780kg

Kerb weight (EU):
1880kg

Suspension:
Double wishbone, steel springs, anti-roll bars, Sport Skyhook continuously variable dampers (front); Double wishbone, steel springs, anti-roll bars, Sport Skyhook continuously variable  dampers (rear)

Brakes:
Dual cast, cross-drilled, grooved and ventilated discs, six-piston Brembo calipers (front); dual cast, cross-drilled and grooved discs, four-piston calipers (rear)

Acceleration (0-100km/h):
4.7 seconds (Electro-Actuated MC Shift); 4.8 seconds (Automatic MC Auto Shift)

Top Speed:
300km/h (Electro-Actuated MC Shift); 298km/h (Automatic MC Auto Shift)

Fuel tank:
86 litres

Stopping distance (100km/h – 0):
35 metres

Turning circle:
12.3 metres

Weight distribution:

• electro-actuated gearbox (MC Shift)  43% front; 57% rear
• automatic gearbox (MC Auto Shift):  48% front; 52% rear

Engine:
4.7-litre, all-alloy, 32-valve V8

Layout:
Front mid-engine, rear-drive

Displacement:
4691cc

Maximum power:
338kW (460CV) @ 7000rpm

Maximum torque:
520Nm @ 4750rpm

Maximum engine speed:
7200rpm

Bore x Stroke:
94mm x 84.5mm

Compression ratio:
11.25:1 

Gearbox:
Six-speed Electro-Actuated gearbox or six-speed Automatic transmission

*2056mm including mirrors