Maserati 5000 Reviews

The car that helped power the back-to-black turnaround at Maserati is now even quicker.The Gran Tourismo has grown an S badge and more muscle to become a boulevard cruiser with a sinister character just waiting for a winding road to explore.The GT was originally developed in only 18 months but has been so successful, alongside the luxury Quattroporte, that it is a crucial part of a plan to lift sales from 8500 to 15,000 cars within five or six years.Maserati cannot keep up with world-wide orders – 1700 customers are still waiting for their cars to be built – but that has not stopped the GT-S from going ahead.The order books are already open in Australia, even though deliveries will not start until early next year.Local importer European Automotive Imports expects to sell 60 next year, along with 120 each of the standard GT and the Quattroporte, even though the price – about $330,000 – will be $30,000 more than the existing model's.The stunningly beautiful four-seater GT-S shares the same DNA as the Alfa 8C Competizione, which we don't get in Australia because it is built in left-hand drive only and shares mechanical components with Ferrari.The standard Gran Turismo is a knockout grand tourer, but the S adds fiery spice to the equation.And what does the S stand for? Maserati says Sport, but it could also stand for spectacular, sensational or sexy. Take your pick, all three apply.But it will take a Maserati train-spotter to pick the changes to the S over the standard GT from a distance.The only clues are the bolder grille, darkened headlights, side skirts, twin oval exhaust pipes and dark 20-inch alloy wheels.Inside are new, body-hugging sports seats.And, the car being at the high end of Italian design, buyers can choose from a range of interior colours.The big change is under the muscular bonnet. The standard GT's 4.2-litre V8, which is supplied by Ferrari, has been massaged in the GT-S to 4.5-litres, with a gain in power from 298 to 323kW at a lofty 7000 revs. Torque is up from 460 to 490Nm at 4750 revs.On the road, the power gain has lowered the 0-100km/h sprint from 5.2 seconds to 4.9 — and a claimed top of 295km/h (up 10km/h) makes it the fastest Maserati in production.That's an impressive set of figures for a car that weighs more than two tonnes when fuelled and carrying two people.To take full advantage of the lift in performance, Maserati swapped the Turismo's six-speed ZF auto gearbox for its in-house designed, electro-actuated semi-automatic box. Shifting is done by large paddles either side of the steering wheel.This smart six-speed transmission is essentially three gearboxes in one, and all three subtly change the character of the car on the road.The new robotised MC (Maserati Corsa) gearbox has been moved from the front to between the rear wheels for better weight distribution of 53 per cent to the rear and 47 per cent to the front.Providing certain criteria are met, the MC system pre-engages the next gear so gear engagement is made in 40 milliseconds and the entire gear change is completed in 100 milliseconds — substantially faster than a driver can move a traditional gear stick. On the roadI reckon Maserati has missed a golden chance to promote theGT-S. It should have recorded the deep-set V8 engine growl and sold it to mobile-phone users as a ring tone.The sound from the twin exhausts is reasonably restrained and neighbourhood friendly in normal mode, but select manual sports mode and most of the exhaust gas is rerouted to bypass the muffler.The GT-S comes alive, aggressive and loud. The wonderful exhaust note, complete with a howling bark and cackle on down-changing and over-run, is magic, especially when amplified in the narrow streets of Modena.The new semi-auto gearbox is so diverse it gives the car three distinct driving characteristics.You can leave it as a conventional full automatic, or a semi auto with the driver doing the changes via the steering wheel paddles (and changing the engine exhaust note). And you can go the full monty and have the added MC performance of super-quick changes in sports mode.Despite the gorgeous styling, there is no hiding the size of the GT-S, but getting two tonnes to 100km/h in less than five seconds is impressive. It reflects how well the torque is delivered, especially above 3200 revs.The bad news: fuel consumption is not impressive, even though Maserati has made an effort to make the engine more efficient. The Euro fuel figures are 21.6 litres/100km urban cycle, 10.0 litres/100km on the highway and 14 litres/100km for combined cycle.Nor is it a clean, green engine. It produces 330g/km of CO2.To put that in perspective, at least three cities in Germany are banning cars from city centres if they produce more than 160g/km of CO2.The conundrum for the GT-S engineers was to design a car that offers supercar performance with luxury car comfort.It's a marriage that works. Road-holding is exceptional and balanced. It sits wonderfully flat on the road and mid-corner acceleration produces little in the way of weight transfer, though the steering can be a little slow in the twisty stuff.As expected, the ride is firm — even on smooth European roads — but I will reserve judgment on the ride quality until it is tested on more familiar Aussie roads.Maserati says the main rivals for the GT-S will be the Porsche 911 Carrera S and the Aston Martin DB9.Is it good enough to beat them? Definitely. Snapshot Maserati GT-SPrice: $330,000Engine: 4.7-litre V8Power: 323kW at 7000 revsTorque: 490Nm at 4750 revsTransmission: MC-Shift electro-actuated six-speed gearboxPerformance: 0-100km/h in 4.9 seconds, top speed 295km/hEconomy: 25.2l/100km city, 11.3l/100km highway; 16.4l/100km combined (European figures)Emissions: 385g/km CO2 

Normally I'd wax lyrical about how this car will affect your senses, the aural music created by the quad exhaust pipes and the gravity forces affecting the driver's body through high-speed bends.Then there's the sumptuous leather cabin, the richness of the timber trim and the clarity of instruments, not to mention the new, full figure sexy body.But not this time.Because for the few times that I've previous driven a Maserati, this was the first time that nothing went wrong. And that is so remarkable that it almost rates above the driving experience. It didn't squeak or rattle. Nothing fell off. The doors opened with ease and the radio was audible. Yes, you'd expect that for near-on $300,000. But in previous models, you didn't get the Q-word.Quality, it seems, was a bit thin on the ground in the 1980s and 1990s.I remember a Maserati of the early 1980s that seemingly was assembled from a distance.So bad was the fit and finish it was highly likely that workers stood at some distance from the creeping production line and threw bits at it in the hope that some would stick.Another Maserati rattled so much the radio was useless, and another started losing weight mid-journey by jettisoning parts. Window winder, lower dashboard trim and something unidentifiable that dropped from under the dash were three that broke free on my small trip.Driving the latest GranTurismo could have been a journey back. But to my surprise, it wasn't. This new car — the latest Maserati and the one that could prise well-heeled enthusiasts out of their Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Astons — is simply beautiful to drive.Gone is that dreadfully clunky semi-automatic gearbox that marked the brand as painfully sporty.Now there's a silky-smooth ZF six-cog box. It even has shifters on the steering wheel if you simply must change gears yourself. The build finish is superb and only matched by the quality — there's that word in a Maserati article for the first time — of the materials.The dashboard is attractive and as easy to use as a Camry. Everything is laid out so neatly it not only defies historic Maserati trends, it is at odds with the Made-In-Italy badge.And it seats four adults. No kidding! A two-door coupe that fits two adults in the back. It was so novel that I tried it and even my 177cm frame was comfortable.The boot is accommodating enough to fit a golf bag, primarily because there's no spare tyre. There's an aerosol kit, so lots of luck.The simple fact is that the standard 20-inch wheels don't fit in the boot.Now that we've established that this one is going to stay together, let's take it for a punt.This is a big car. It's based on Maserati's four-door Quattroporte saloon with a margin snipped out of the wheelbase.So in the flesh it's a bulky car that sits quite high for a coupe and stretches far enough to need park sensors.It's also heavy and crests the 2-tonne mark with two occupants and fuel. Remember, this is primarily a GT and not a track racer.Countering all this is the Ferrari-sourced 4.2-litre V8 engine that despite its meaty power, is quite uninspiring.Sure, the exhaust pipes will bark and howl and the engine will make a muted mechanical gargle, but the auto gearbox softens the blow.In the old model the semi-auto would sound like a rabid dog gnashing its teeth centimetres from your face, so it felt fast. But the fact is it is fast. Maserati claims that the 100km/h sprint arrives in 5.2 seconds, which is Ferrari territory. The ride is surprisingly compliant and the cabin remains quiet. It's a very relaxed ride.The seats are supportive, the steering wheel falls easily to hand and the gauges simple and communicative. There's a premium audio system and a sat-nav system that doesn't need an electronic engineering degree to operate.The car's bulk will be invisible to drivers who stay on gazetted roads, though on closed roads the kilos are noticed.It can point and shoot corners with ease, though the brake pedal needs increasing pressure to slow it down. The steering is perfect for touring though in close quarters needs a few extra turns to make a tight corner.But I'm penny-pinching. This is a beautiful car and the surprise is that it's a Maserati.At last — a Maserati that looks as good as it's built.    SnapshotMaserati GranTurismoPrice: $292,800Engine: 4.2-litre, V8, quad-camPower: 295kW @ 7100rpmTorque: 460Nm @ 4750rpmAcceleration: 0-100km/h in 5.2 secondsFuel: premium, 86-litre tankEconomy: 14.3 litres/100km (claimed), 16.9 litres/100km (tested)CO2 emissions: 335g/km (Corolla: 175g/km)Transmission: 6-speed automatic, sequential, paddle-shifters; rear-driveBrakes: 4-wheel 330mm vented, cross-drilled discs; ESC, ABS, EBD, traction control, brake assistTurning circle: 10.7mSuspension: double wishbone, coilsWheels: 20-inch alloyTyres: 245/35R20 (front); 285/35R20 (rear); no spareDimensions (MM): 4881 (l), 1847 (w), 1353 (h), 2942 (wheelbase)Weight: 1880kgWarranty: 3 year/unlimited km, roadside assistFor: Performance, comfort, driving easeAgainst: Visibility, no spare tyre 

Only 550 of the Brooklands model Bentleys are available worldwide."They are tailor-made to the exact specifications of each customer,” said Sue Young, the spokeswoman for Queensland Bentley.Ms Young said the Brisbane buyer wanted to remain anonymous, as did two other Queenslanders who have expressed an interest in getting one of the luxury coupes.She said all three currently own a Bentley Arnage T, worth about $545,000.Maserati's latest GranTurismo will be seen in Australia for the first time at the show, which opens at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre at noon on 1, February 2008.The sports car's appeal seems to have outweighed its $293,000 price tag, because 150 Australian orders have already been taken for the new model, including 20 from Queensland, according the company's Australian general manager, Edward Butler.No other Maserati has sold as quickly and the waiting list for the 2008 GranTurismo is greater than the firm's Australian and New Zealand sales last year, Mr Butler said.Luxury-car sellers say their models have become increasingly popular with younger professionals."The 20 to 35-year age group is taking a much bigger slice of the market share,” said Audi Centre Brisbane dealer principal Greg Willims. “There is no doubt the prosperity in Queensland is growing.”Adam O'Brien, of Brisbane Prestige Cars in Fortitude Valley, said manufacturers were working harder to attract young customers in a bid to keep them for life.Danny Singh, 31, of Brendale in Brisbane's northwest, recently bought a luxury H3 Hummer from Brisbane Prestige Cars for $70,000 then spent a further $15,000 on modifications.Also making their Australian debuts at the show will be new-look versions of cult street machines the Subaru WRX STi, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution — known as the Evo X to fans because it is the 10th in the series.Both are expected to be in the $60,000 bracket.Australia will be represented in the go-fast stakes by a Ford Performance Vehicles version of the Territory SUV, the yet-to-be-released F6 X all-wheel-drive wagon.Brisbane International Motor Show, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Bank, runs from Friday to February 10; Monday to Saturday, 10am-10pm; Sunday, 10am-6pm. Adults $17.50, children $10.

Maserati has taken the formidable drivetrain from the Quattroporte model and created a new “performance sports car that is enjoyable to drive.”The Gran Turismo is a two-door hard-top coupe with Italian custom-crafted interior. New-car buyers will love the choices and mixtures of leather.And it's a four-seater. A great deal of trouble has been taken to make the rear two passengers not only comfortable but have convenient access.First examples of the new Grand Turismo are due to arrive in Australia about now but Maserati Australia reports the 130 allocated to Australia and New Zealand already have been spoken for, meaning a midyear delivery for new orders.The Gran Turismo uses Maserati's 4.2-litre V8 engine. Having twin overhead camshafts per cylinder bank and four valves per cylinder, it's rated at 298kW power.That's enough to take the 1880kg car from zero to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds.A new, six-speed automatic transmission feeds power to the rear wheels. The transmission is programmed to allow gear changes up to 7200rpm.The driver can choose to become involved by using the paddle shifts.Inside, the range of leather covers 10 shades.A buyer can select his or her preferred colour combination for the seats, dashboard, rear shelf and steering wheel, plus gearshift handle. Even the trim's stitching, mats and roof lining can be custom ordered.Both front seats are electrically adjustable and have three heat settings. The driver's seat has a memory function.The steering column, too, is electrically adjusted and the steering wheel is a sporty 375mm diameter. The front seats move forward electrically to allow access to the rear.Two seats in the rear are separated by the centre console. Passengers there have an arm rest and climate control vents.The audio system has a Bose surround sound system as standard and uses six speakers.There's an electric park brake, tyre pressure monitoring and a hill-holder to aid uphill starts. 

About 20 car enthusiasts have already done just that.

The star of Lamborghini's stand; one of the most expensive cars on display at the Australian International Motor Show which opened yesterday, a Murcielago LP640 Versace and is the only one left.

The show has been expanded this year with additional internal and external displays.More than 50 new models will be unveiled amongst the 500 cars on display.Headliners include the world premieres of Mitsubishi's Evolution X cult car, the new generation Toyota LandCruiser featuring new Australian-developed suspension technology, and Holden's new sportswagon. Several other world premieres are expected.Other highlights include a Lexus that parks itself, and cutting-edge concept cars from BMW, Hyundai and Škoda, and new sportscars from Bufori, Lamborghini, Lotus and Maserati.View all the latest news and action on the official Australian International Motorshow website at www.australianmotorshow.com

This 92-year-old NSW No.6 plate is expected to fetch between $1 million and $1.5 at this year's Shannon's auction on the last day of the Australian International Motor Show.

One of the exotic Italian supercars to be seen when the Australian International Motor Show begins on 11 October, this stunning super car spent a short time basking in Sydney sunlight for the first time so that it could be photographed for the Australian media. According to Edward Butler, Maserati Australia and New Zealand’s general manager, the company is holding 130 Australian orders for the GranTurismo. "For those people lucky enough to be taking delivery of their own Maserati GranTurismo in coming months, the fleeting first visit to Darling Harbour is proof, as if proof was needed, that the GranTurismo is just as beautiful in Australia as it is in Italy!” Mr Butler said. The GranTurismo packs a 4.2L V8 generating 405bhp at 7,100rpm. 345Nm of its 460Nm maximum torque is available at 2,500rpm, which along with a standard automatic transmission and relatively useable rear seats, makes this a more practical high-speed tourer than many Italian thoroughbreds.  

Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati will all be showing new models for the first time in Australia.