Model review
When you think of Italian sports cars, there’s a good chance that Ferrari and Lamborghini come to mind. But there’s a third very important player in this scene, and that’s Maserati.
Though this firm might have put a greater emphasis on saloons and SUVs in recent times, the GranTurismo continued to prove this marque had a wilder side.
First introduced in 2007 as the brand’s new ‘2+2’, it essentially replaced the firm’s Coupe and was a truly stunning piece of design when it launched at the Geneva Motor Show that year, packing a 4.2-litre V8 engine developed with Ferrari under the bonnet.
Maserati would go on to introduce a more extreme MC Stradale model, featuring a more powerful engine, along with suspension tweaks to make it stiffer and lower as well.
Latest model
The GranTurismo would go on to have a range of tweaks and updates, including the introduction of the drop-top GranCabrio in 2009 and new ‘Sport’ models.
The most recent update to the GranTurismo came with the 2018 model year, bringing more modern styling thanks to a new hexagonal grille and improved aerodynamics through new lower air ducts that help the flow of air. Inside, it also featured a new 8.4-inch touchscreen, boasting a Harmon Kardon sound system and the latest smartphone mirroring technology.
The GranTurismo would continue on until the end of 2019, when production concluded with a one-off edition called the ‘Zeda’. By that time, more than 40,000 models had been produced across the coupe and GranCabrio. Since then, Maserati has been working on a new electrified sports car – the MC20 – which will launch in 2021.
Value for money
When new, it’s safe to say the GranTurismo was far from a cheap model, with prices starting from close to £100,000 before the model bowed out from production. But with only used GranTurismo models now available, it’s safe to say it’s now a really appealing used option.
In fact, on the used market today, early examples start from under £20,000, which gets you a lot for your money, though you might have to pay closer to £25,000 for the cleanest examples. But even if you fancy a later example, these are available at great discounts – at the time of writing a 2019 model with less than 5,000 miles on the clock could be had for under £70,000.
Looks and images
It’s safe to say the GranTurismo looks just as stunning now as it did when it was shown off in 2007. With a striking, swoopy shape and imposing Maserati Trident (the name for its logo) in the large front grille, it’s a beautiful bit of design - to our eyes at least. It is a timeless and elegant piece of design, and will likely continue to be viewed that way as the years go on.
The interior also feels equally elegant, with the 2+2 layout comprising four individual leather seats to give it a really upmarket look and feel, helped by leather, Alcantara and carbon-fibre being used throughout. Some of the switchgear isn’t the most modern, though later models are helped by the introduction of a larger 8.4-inch touchscreen, which Maserati still uses in its cars to date.
Behind the wheel, this Maserati is very much a GT car, and is a truly brilliant cruiser over long distances, thanks to its mix of comfort and refinement. That said, the Ferrari-derived engine is an absolute joy to use and sounds incredible when being maxed out. The only gripe is that it lacks the sharpness of agility of some modern cars in this league, not least the Porsche 911.
Space and practicality
You might not consider practicality one of a Maserati GT car’s main strengths, but it’s a surprise to learn that occupant space here is actually quite generous.
And while many cars in this class have rear seats, they’re often virtually useless for anyone except young children. But here, the GranTurismo’s rear seats can provide more than enough space for adults, while electric front seats make it easier to get in the back than you might expect. The boot, however, isn’t very big – measuring 260 litres, which although roomy enough for a few weekend away bags, isn’t as capacious as other models in this class.
Engines
Throughout the GranTurismo’s lifetime, this Maserati has always used a big V8. It started out with a 4.2-litre V8, which came with an automatic gearbox and produced a significant 399bhp, allowing for a 0-60mph time of under five seconds and a top speed of 180mph.
A more powerful 4.7-litre was then introduced shortly after launch, and would become the only option later on. Despite taking the power up to 434bhp, it actually wasn’t a great deal quicker than the ‘entry-level’ engine. The power would later be taken up to 454bhp, but again, did little to alter any performance figures.
Running costs
Given the GranTurismo uses a V8 engine shared with Ferrari, it comes as no surprise to learn that this Maserati will be an especially expensive car to run. The Italian firm says it will return just 19.7mpg, while CO2 emissions of 331g/km are especially high, too. It also sits in the highest insurance group of 50.
Road tax, servicing and maintenance costs will also be steep. So while initial prices might seem more affordable on the used market, you need to factor in how much the GranTurismo could cost to keep fit and running during your ownership.
Things to look out for
Given the GranTurismo’s rarity, it’s quite hard to gauge how reliable this Maserati is. That said, owners report it being no worse than other premium brands, though you should be sure to check out for full service history and regular maintenance, as these aren’t cars that take well to neglect.
It could also be worth considering a used car warranty, just in case anything does go wrong.
Rivals
Key rivals to the Maserati GranTurismo include the Porsche 911 and Mercedes-AMG GT, and if you fancy spending a bit more money, the Aston Martin DB11 and Bentley Continental GT. If you’d prefer something a bit more affordable, it’s worth a look at the Jaguar F-Type.
Depreciation
With the GranTurismo not being sold new since 2019, most models have had that initial deprecation hit, and they’re now quite appealing used buys.
With prices now starting from less than £20,000, it gets you a huge amount of car and performance for not such a huge amount of money.
