Maserati Karif Reviews

It's hard for me to believe this is real. The scenery, the language, the weather, the open raceway and especially the car. Down the straight, where the bitumen opens from a winding trail to stretch its width and give the driver some respite from intense concentration, I can glimpse the mountains. But only briefly. Every upchange in the Maserati GranTurismo also signals time for the engine to briefly draw breath, but only to pick up the next gear and pull harder towards the horizon. The end of the straight quickly comes into sight. Time for one more jab with the right fingers. Fifth. The corner is coming up fast on the left. Pull quickly on the broad, cold metal paddle on the left-side of the steering wheel and push the right foot deep within the illusionary depth of the brake pedal. Fourth gear comes up — I know that by the illuminated “4” between the gauges. The compression braking of the 4.7-litre V8 engine produces explosive barks from the exhaust. The noise, the assault of the senses as the car moves with the flow of the track and the location in northern Italy beside a wide, stone-bottomed river, are almost surreal. This is the privately owned track at Varano, 25km outside Parma, in mid-summer with the hills still bright green from the long winter. Last year, 15 Australian owners of new Maseratis travelled to Varano to do what I did: get up close and personal with one of Italy's icons. They weren't alone. Varano may be privately owned, but it is well known to the Fiat Group — Maserati, Ferrari, Alfa Romeo, Lancia and Fiat — for testing each new model. More importantly, it is also known for customer driver training. Maserati alone sold 8000 vehicles last year and a portion of those owners, from California to Russia to China and New Zealand, came to learn to drive at the Parma track. At $5500 a person for the two-day course, it isn't cheap. Andrea Piccini heads the driving instructors. Despite his youth, he has raced at Le Mans and was an F1 test driver for Minardi. The other instructors have a similar background and have no trouble sitting beside the amateurs to involve themselves — occasionally loudly — in your driving. Later, when the computers in the pits plug into the car and extract electronic bytes that have been created from your three laps, there is another, more brutal assessment. “Neil, look here. What is this?” asks touring car racer Sandro Montani. I have no answer for something that, to me, is little more than diverging lines (blue of the ideal graph line of the instructor) and me (the more wriggled line in red ink) on a computer screen. “You are in understeer. Look! You have come into this corner at 69km/h and here, you see, the instructor is at 62km/h. So the car is going too fast to make it turn correctly and you have lost a lot of time.” I feel like a naughty schoolboy. I thought I did pretty well. “Now, go out and take it more slowly,” Sandro smiles. So I go out and slide into another Maserati, this time the luxury Quattroporte. I pull the automatic gearbox's trident-emblazoned gear lever back into its sequential mode, pull the right paddle back to ensure first gear, release the handbrake and, with the track clear, send myself out like a pardoned criminal on to a better path.  

His name is Umberto Panini and there is little hint to his personal treasure trove in the minimalistic driveway and simple builds at his dairy farm, 'Hombre', on the outskirts of Modena. Even the barn doors give no hint of the rich vein of motoring history they guard. Yet Panini has the world's biggest private collection of Maseratis in a line-up that represents a unique slideshow of an amazing company that has been through seven owners and endured the depths of bankruptcy and the highs of world championship racing. Panini, now 78, became very rich in the sticker business. Exceptionally popular since the 1960s, the stickers and cards depicting anything from football players to cartoon characters were dispensed from Panini's coin-operated machines around Italy and later, other European countries. Panini sold out in 1988 and built up his Modena farm. But in 1997 Modena's pride, Maserati, was sold to Fiat by its owners, de Tomaso, and the company's historic car collection was put up for auction in London. The outcry from Italy was so strong that it awoke private support, resulting in Panini's purchase of 22 Maserati cars. They went into his barn, adding to dozens of other cars, military vehicles, stationary racing engines, tractors and his passion, motorcycles. He even owns two immaculate Maserati motorbikes. The bulk of the collection is arranged on either side of the barn — Maseratis to the left, others to the right — with selected models in the centre. Upstairs are motorcycles and clay bucks of prospective cars. The early models attract the most attention, starting with the beautiful Maserati A6 GCS Berlinetta that was designed by Pininfarina and valued recently at about $8 million. Its grille has been copied for the latest Maserati Quattroporte. The car was the first and last Pinin-styled Maserati for more than 50 years because Ferrari held exclusive rights to the designer. The collection really starts with a 1936 6CM single-seat racer that has been perfectly restored. At centre is a Tipo 250F, the V12 version of the iconic racing Maserati that sped Juan Manuel Fangio to grand prix victory in 1954. Behind is the Stirling Moss Eldorado' 420M and then a mid-engined Tipo 63 and a Tipo 61 'Birdcage'. The Tipo 63 got the birdcage name because of 36kg space frame chassis is made of 200 steel tubes which resemble the bars of a bird cage. More modern cars include Mistrals and Boras, Ghiblis and Meraks, with rarities such as the Shah of Persia's 1958 5000GT by Touring, one of only four built and based on the 3500GT. There is a 6CM racer from 1936, a prototype Simun of 1964, a prototype Chubasco V8, a one-off turbocharged Merak and one of only 52 Quattroporte III Royale models made, this 1986 example with a fridge, air-conditioning and telephone. Panini is more impressed by his motorcycle collection — including a DKW Wankel-engined bike and a T4 250cc Maserati — but, when pressed, says he favours his 1909 Rolland-Pilan Model C which he found in terrible condition under a hedge in Bologna. It was restored over five years in time to be the carriage for the wedding of his daughter and now sits alongside a De Dion Bouton opposite the line of Maseratis. Anyone can visit the museum, but by appointment. The first step is to email hombre@hombre.it  

Actions speak louder than words and when we took the GranTurismo away for a weekend, we found it had a way of dominating proceedings.Everybody wanted to know what it was, how much it cost and whether they could have their photo taken with the car _ whether they were interested in cars or not.And they wanted to know how long we'd had it?I wish . . .I'd expected the questions and had come prepared.Suffice to say the big `Maser' has a mystique that extends beyond the bounds of mere metal, a car that commands attention wherever it goes _ some welcome, some not so welcome.More than just a car, it's the ultimate male fashion accessory _ a piece of automotive exotica that's going to make you look and feel like a million dollars.At more than $300,000 the GranTurismo is not the most expensive car that Maserati sells here, but we'd have no hesitation in adding that it's the best looking of the bunch.Gone is the droopy, retro, overly round styling that marked previous models, along with that awkward looking rear end, replaced by a long sleek coupe with classic sports car lines.The two door, four-seat coupe replaces the previous GranSport, but sits on the longer Quattroporte platform.Measuring 4881mm and weighing in at a hefty 1880kg, the oh so long bonnet hides a 4.2-litre Ferrari V8 that pumps out 298kW of power and 460Nm of torque, revving out to 7250rpm.The engine is a derivative of that in the Ferrari F430 and is teamed with a ZF six-speed automatic transmission that allows the driver to change gears manually.The main difference between the two engines is that the Maserati unit has a wet sump and produces more torque.Despite its obvious bulk the GranTurismo can dispatch the dash from 0-100km/h in just 5.2 seconds and on to a lofty top speed of 285km/h.Punch the throttle and the throaty V8 roars to life, the rear hunkers down and the car squirms before launching regardless of the electronics.We've driven faster, but none with more style than this thoroughbred.The driver can choose between manual, sport auto or fully automatic gears changes, with no need to chase the padded paddle shifts around the steering wheel as they are fixed to the steering column.Pushing the sport button activates a more aggressive change pattern, as well as altering the suspension and stability control settings.We were surprised to find however that the transmission still changes up automatically when redline is reached, even in full manual mode.The auto is said to be even quicker than Ferrari's and so much more enjoyable than the horrendous robotised manual offered previously.Rather than a hard-edged sports machine, the GranTurismo is more of a big luxurious cruiser, with plenty of power on tap for the odd squirt.Out on the open highway it laps up the miles, but a firm foot is required on the throttle or you could find the pace dropping off.Fuel consumption from the 86 litre tank is rated at 14.3 litres/100km and it takes premium unleaded, preferably the good stuff.We were getting 14.7 over a 700km stint.The car's charcoal exterior did not prepare us for the gorgeous red leather interior.While contoured and comfortable, the seats were rather firm and so was the electronically modulated Skyhook suspension.Parking the car at fuel stops provided plenty of entertainment as wide-eyed country folk circled the vehicle for a better look, peering through the windows to get a better look inside.Doing the obligatory lap of the town centre never failed to attract attention either, as did parking it outside the pub.It's a difficult one to go past.I don't know why they bother fitting sound systems to cars like this, the note from the V8 is the all the accompaniment one needs.But if it does grate there's a 30GB hard drive based unit to store your songs, shared with the standard navigation system.Dropping down a couple of gears and pushing the car hard through long sweeping corners and a series of shorter switchbacks found plenty of grip from the 20inch wheels, fitted with 245 front and 285 35 rear 35 series rubber.But it can become unsettled and is not totally at home on our second rate back roads.The four pot Brembos provide solid braking, but some bigger units would be nice.We were loathe to take the car on any dirt roads as the low profile tyres are prone to puncture and there is no spare tyre, just a puncture repair kit to reinflate the damaged tyre _ a space saver is optional.Getting in and out of the deep set back seats can be challenging and rear legroom is not generous.The front seats slide forward electrically to provide access.The boot is on the small side but can still hold a couple of bags.All in all this is a much more refined mainstream car than previous models.But why not just buy a Ferrari, we wondered?Price is one obvious reason and the fact they appeal to two very different kinds of buyers.Even at $306,750 plus onroads, the GranTurismo is still 127 grand less than the cheapest Ferrari.Style is another reason, because the GranTurismo is a true GT tourer with seating for four people.And after all, it's all about style.

The five-door is one of two wagons presented by Italian styling studios. The previous effort was the Maserati Cinqueporte (five door) by StudioM of which a single unit costing $580,000 was built for a Middle East client.Carrozzeria Touring will make 25 Quattroporte wagons — called Maserati Bellagio Fastback Tourings — for about $350,000 each. The Bellagio adds rear sheet metal and a folding rear seat to a standard Quattroporte. Power comes from a standard 295kW 4.2-litre V8 and though the extra metal adds about 50kg, Touring claims it will stillrun to 100km/h in the same 5.6 seconds time as the standard sedan. Meanwhile, Maserati, riding high in its most profitable period for decades, is about to launch a third model. The company is playing the new model very close to its chest, even to the point of denying certain aspects. But within 12 months there will be a convertible version of the GranTurismo.“A third model is possible but I have no news,” says Maserati product manager Paolo Quattrino. “It is important that Maserati retains its exclusivity so any new model will be looked at carefully.”But an insider at the launch of the new Quattroporte in Austria says he has seen the convertible undergoing tests.The convertible is likely to be a 2+2 seater — because of the extra room needed for the folding roof — which is a departure from the company's desire to suit the family buyer.However, it sees potential on the same chassis — indeed, the four-door Quattroporte model sits on a near identical platform — and sees a niche for a convertible.Unknown, however, is what type of material will be used for the roof.It is expected to be fabric to keep the car's weight down and reduce manufacturing costs. 

Maserati is pushing its financial fortunes to a higher level thanks, in part, to a bigger engine.Profits have alluded the company for about 15 years and its financial history includes five bankruptcies.Now, after starting out in Bologna in 1913 headed by four brothers and then being owned variously by Citroen, de Tomasa and Ferrari, the company is a fully-owned division of Fiat.Getting back on track is attributed to Fiat demands for a leaner Maserati.This year it will make only four models based on two cars, though it adds a third car late next year.It fits two engines - a 4.2 and the new 4.7-litre V8s - and two gearboxes - a ZF six-speed auto and a “robotised” six-speed semi-auto.The GranSport has been dropped and the vastly superior GranTurismo takes its place. Now the Quattroporte (literally, four door) gets upgraded after five years on the market.The new Quattroporte offers two models - the continuation of the 4.2-litre V8 with the ZF gearbox - and a high performance 4.7-litre V8 that will be called the “S” and that takes the engine from the GranTurismo.The Quattroporte S goes on sale for about $320,000 in October.Styling changes are led by a vertical-slat grille that looks more purposeful and aggressive than the tea-strainer design of the current version. This grille is based on that fitted to the first Pininfarina-designed Maserati, the A6 GCS of 1953.The touch of Pininfarina is pertinent given that one-time Maserati owner, Ferrari, refused to allow Maserati access to this designer. The Quattroporte was the first Maserati by Pininfarina since the A6.The latest Quattroporte adds a new bootline with bolder lights that use LED technology (there are 64 LEDs across the back and 20 across the front as indicators), bigger wheels starting at 19-inch as standard and remodelled side skirts. Even the cabin is fresher and boasts a more ergonomic centre console.The equipment level is exhaustive though the company will let you choose from thousands of leather, wood and colour combinations.Which is all very nice but it's not what we're here for. The stand out feature is the 4.7-litre V8 that has been borrowed from the two-door coupe, the GranTurismo S.Maserati has retuned - some say, detuned - the engine for 317kW and 490Nm of torque.The GranTurismo S gets 323kW and 490Nm.For the saloon, the 4.7 has been modified to flatten out its low to mid-range torque delivery that polishes out any low-speed weakness and gearbox abruptness.It is enough to push the Quattroporte to 100km/h from rest in 5.4 seconds which is commendable for any coupe and startling for a sedan that weighs 2-tonnes.Unlike the GranTurismo S which has a new semi-auto transmission - one that's vastly improved over the first generation box - the saloon gets the same six-speed ZF automatic as the lesser 4.2-litre version.That makes it quiet, smooth and more importantly to the well-heeled who will get behind the wheel, dead easy to drive.But it doesn't make it very fuel efficient. The company claims the S model will average 15.7 litres/100km, up 1.0 l/100km on the 4.2, while CO2 emissions are 20 grams/km more at 365g/km.Maserati's Australian importer Ateco plans to sell 220 cars this year with about 80 being Quattroportes. Of that, about 55 - or about 60 per cent - are forecast to be the 4.7-litre version.The S model is expected to be about $320,000 while the 4.2-litre version will sit under $300,000.Put a 317kW engine in a two-tonne saloon and you'd hope for reasonable performance.But the Quattroporte surprises with a real lust for performance.In a straight line it wil knock the socks off a lot of rivals. It will outrun the BMW 750L and Audi A8L to 100km/h and stay alongside the Mercedes-Benz S500. The only one in its class that will beat it is the Jaguar XJ8 - it weighs 280kg less - and then only by 0.1 seconds.But where the Quattroporte really comes alive is through the bends.When the road twists tighter and the camber goes offside and it starts to rain as the road narrows and becomes rutted, this big four-door comes into its own.There is barely no understeer so the Quattroporte revels in being pushed hard and close into corners. The engine is set behind the front axle line so its responds instantly to incremental changes to the leather-wrapped steering wheel. There is also two suspension modes - standard and Sport - to suit driver and road conditions.The brakes are stunning - diametric metals of steel discs with alloy centres that have been melded when liquid - in power and amazing in their fade-free characteristics. Repeated jabs and longer pressure periods through northern Italian mountains showed no fade.What the colourful brochures fail to convey is the serenity in which it's all delivered.There's the comfort of soft leather and the insulation that bares all noise except the muted throaty roar from the four exhaust pipes.Maserati has greatly improved the dashboard by using a similar centre console of the GranTurismo.But though it all looks wonderful, there are some annoyances.Many of the push-button controls are hidden behind the spokes of the steering wheel. Personal storage space is good, though has room for improvement.The boot is small and there's no room for a full-size spare. Some versions, in fact, get no spare at all.But even in its home country, Maserati is looked upon in awe.It will glide through a city and passers-by will still gawk. Cruise the country and people wave.It may have been decades from dicing with Ferrari on the racetrack but Maserati proves it still carries a powerful allure.

The aural sensation of the operatically roaring Ferrari-derived V8 is but one way in which this $300,000 piece of Pininfarina sculpture transcends all misery.We first drove it just on a year ago on the international launch through the Italian Alps, an environment which is germane in the same way this one isn't.The roads there are as smooth as ours are cratered and crumbling. Highway speed is limited by conditions and ability not restricted to a rate guaranteed to induce sleep. Overtaking lanes are occupied not by oblivious zombies a la the M5, but by overtaking vehicles. In a word, paradise — one in which this grandiose tourer can be given its full range of expression.Deploying it in our Third World conditions would surely be akin to tethering a stallion to a plough. In a dynamic sense, that is sadly true. Aside from the odd furtive burst of acceleration and gratuitously unnecessary downchanges just to thrill to that bent eight rip, you get to enjoy about one third of the GranTurismo's dynamic capability.But where so many exotics and performance deities are just flat out wasted here, the Maser's sheer aesthetic presence is transcendent. Just look at it.Confronting though the scarlet interior of our loan car was, nine other shades of quality cow hide can be specified to complement 19 exterior hues and even five choices of brake calliper colour.The GranTurismo is $50K up on the ageing GranSport but feels and looks double that. The former's rear seats are more than expensively upholstered luggage racks; they'll hold two adults in tolerable comfort with 260 litres of luggage space behind them.Captivating on the outside (and curiosity of an intrusive extent is a non-optional GranTurismo extra), what lies within is worthy of almost equal attention. The flat-on steering wheel is something of an object in itself; only the freakishly built could fail to find the optimum position from which to grapple with it and the chrome shifting levers.Most of all, the GranTurismo benefits from the same highly adapted six-speed ZF automatic transmission of the Quattroporte Sedan, on which platform the coupe is based. When in Sport mode, the ZF is functionally almost as quick as the GranSport's abrupt clutch pedaless manual, but with the vast advantage of a Drive mode that works as such, not as a stuttering compromise.The auto is better almost all of the time and far better suited to the grand touring remit. Consuming the kilometres with grace is what this Maserati is all about. While Drive mode suffices for the urban crawl, stabbing the Sport button is all but irresistible — gears are held longer, throttle response is enhanced and so too is the engine's already rich timbre. A high-quality sound system is fitted, but who has ears left for that?Sport's transformation over normal mode is made complete by Skyhook adaptive suspension whose automatically and continuous damping ensures the forces generated by the car's 1880kg kerb weight go to where they count during cornering.The GranTurismo is indeed a big unit but, come those few occasions you'll find to exploit it without fear of reprimand, it turns in with a fluidity that makes cornering feel intuitive.Even with its hardly negligible 5.2 second 0-100km/h sprint time, there are any number of exotics and performance sleds that leave the Maser in their wake — or would if this land enjoyed autostradas and B-roads of Italian calibre. But we don't.The triumph of this, the world's most beautiful car, is to make you forget where you're driving it.

The mid-engined Mastretta MXT sportscar — the first car designed and built in Mexico — is capable of 240km/h and does 0-100km/h in less than five seconds.

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.