What's the difference?
How much would you pay for an outstandingly beautiful grand touring coupe with supercar performance?
Costing as much as a one-bedroom inner-city flat, the new-from-the-ground-up Maserati GranTurismo possesses seductive styling. When you’re chasing the exquisite Porsche 911 Carrera 4S and Bentley Continental GT, you need every asset available, and then some.
Which brings us to the 2024 second-generation (M189) range.
Adding to a stunning back-catalogue of gorgeous Maseratis that stretches back even further than either of its opponents above, does the latest GranTurismo have the brains as well as the brawn to match its stunning beauty?
Let’s dive right in.
Like most people in this day and age, I like to consider myself fairly green-minded. I recycle. I canvas bag. One time I even took public transport, despite having a perfectly good car at my disposal.
But most importantly, at least as far as our only planet is concerned, I’ve embraced electrification in the automotive world, confident in the knowledge that, 99 times out of 100, introducing a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or fully electric powertrain to the equation improves both the driving experience and your fuel bill.
The one out of that 100? That would be the McLaren 750S — the British brand’s new apex predator, and a vehicle that might just be the marque's last non-electrified series-production supercar ever.
It’s powered by a spectacular twin-turbo V8 engine that contributes to a drive experience so raw, so pure, and so unfiltered, that to sully it with heavy batteries or silent electric motors would just about qualify as a crime against humanity, or at least against the parts of humanity fortunate enough to be able to afford one.
So, is this McLaren 750S the best of the current supercar bunch? Let's find out.
There’s a famous line in a Hollywood movie that somebody’s ego is writing cheques their body can’t cash.
In the GranTurismo’s case, its agility, performance, ride, handling and overall refinement means it absolutely delivers on the promise of the stunning styling.
Of course, this review is a first taster only, even if it is on one of the most challenging race circuits we know. And, as such, we cannot wait to finally drive the GranTurismo outside on Australian public roads.
Which, by the way, will be all the more beautiful because of it.
Not just a love letter to the intoxicating delights of the mighty V8 engine, the McLaren 750S is a genuine joy across the board.
Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, with travel, accommodation and meals provided.