These are the first images of Maserati’s new GT Coupe, revealed ahead of the car’s official debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. The stunning lines were penned by Italian design studio Pininfarina, clearly taking inspiration from Maserati’s larger Quattroporte sedan. A near-perfect 49/51 weight distribution combined with an upgraded 400hp 4.2L V8 motor is sure to provide scintillating performance.
Just like the Quattroporte saloon, the new coupe gets a modern take on the Buickesque three-hole side vents with a sharper more angular appearance। Muscular flared wheel arches house huge multispoke alloys featuring Masearti’s trademark trident logo. The new interior, which was also designed by Pininfarina, features a leather lined dash and center console that runs the entire length of the cabin, while the conventional handbrake is replaced with a foot operated pedal next to the brake. Gears are changed by a fully-automatic transmission with pseudo-manual mode that uses paddle-shifters located behind the steering wheel.
The new coupe won’t be called the GT but instead picks up the extended title, GranTurismo, refering to Maserati’s first street car of 1947। The first cars are expected to hit showrooms by the middle of this year, but already there are rumors of even more models। A new flagship GranSport model is said to be in the works, powered by an all-new 450hp 4.7L V8 that will be shared with Alfa Romeo’s 8C Competizione. This will be followed with the release of a new Spyder convertible as well as a possible Coupe-Convertible sporting a folding metal roof next year.
PRESS RELEASE:
Maserati GranTurismo
Worldwide preview at the Geneva Motorshow.
Modena – 20th February 2007. The new Maserati GranTurismo, styled by Pininfarina, makes its worldwide debut at the Geneva Motorshow.
The Maserati GranTurismo is a muscular and sporty car, that can be enjoyed every day and a the same time is engaging for the driver. Its excellent handling and sportiveness makes it a point of reference in its category. The Maserati GranTurismo is built with particular attention to comfort, choice of materials and details and with enough room for four people, as only Maserati can do.
The new Maserati GranTurismo is a high-performance sports car, exciting to drive with a 4.2 liter V8 engine, delivering 405 HP, and a weight distribution of 49% at the front and 51% at the rear. It is fitted with an automatic gearbox and equipped with an adaptive control system which adjusts the gear-shifting mode to the driving style and the driving conditions.
Maserati's tradition of the Gran Turismo concept dates back to 1947 when the Trident Company, following its clients' demand, unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show its first Gran Turismo. It was designed by the great Pinin Farina, and based on the racing chassis of the A6. It was the first Maserati road car and was produced in 58 units. The car was acclaimed by the automotive press for its advanced technical content and for its avant-garde style solutions.
The new model name – Maserati GranTurismo – is not incidental. Once again, the partnership between Maserati and Pininfarina gives birth to a car that is able to generate emotions and sets itself apart from competitors, due to the technique with which it is built and its unique style.
The new Maserati GranTurismo represents a further step towards the completion of the Trident product range, following the worldwide launch of the Quattroporte Automatic at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit।
