Maserati Karif Reviews

Unveiled internationally at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show, just 180 individually numbered MC Victories will be sold worldwide. Australia's first glance at the stunning GranSport evolution will occur at the 2006 Australian International Motor Show in Sydney.Generously equipped, the Maserati GranSport MC Victory boasts a host of new features that link it to the victorious Maserati MC12 race car. Externally, the vehicle is easily identified via its blue carbon-fibre spoilers front and rear, plus the red, white and green Italian flag embossed into the front wings (another clear link to the MC12 racer).Like the base-model, the MC Victory enjoys rapid performance thanks to a thumping 4.2- litre Italian V8 engine developing weaponsgrade outputs of 295kW and 451Nm – in a lightweight 1680kg package.Serious aerodynamic aids are part of the MC Victory package, with a bigger front splitter than standard on GranSport generating greater aerodynamic down-force at speed, in concert with extended side skirts and sundry aero tweaks aimed at high-speed stability.Hi-tech, race-inspired materials define the interior. Like the front and rear spoilers, the cabin's carbon-fibre highlights are also blue. This is matched with leather and Alcantara trim, which covers the dashboard, door panels, steering wheel and centre section of the carbon-fibre race seats.

Almost every sportscar worth its fuel bill has a sports button. Few, however, have one as effective as the GranSport's.Punch the button on the centre console and Dr Jekyll becomes Mr Hyde — but watch out, this one can really bite.Choosing the sport option alters not only the engine and transmission mapping — sharpening shift responses and change points — but winds down the suspension to tooth-rattling firmness while pushing the traction control "nanny" further into the background as well as adding an extra edge to the steering sharpness.The final touch is an aural treat. An electronically controlled pneumatic valve system opens the exhaust and turns the pussycat purr from the 295kW 4.2-litre V8 into a jungle rumble.The sound of the engine blipping on downshifts is grand, almost enough to make you forgive the super-aggressive 6-speed Cambiocorsa transmission.The wheel-mounted paddles come easily to hand — not that common in the world of F1-styled paddle-shifts — and that is good, as there is no other option for manual shifting. However, it is the thumping aggression of the changes that make using the clutchless manual-style box either a love-it or hate-it proposition. You can opt to select the auto button but, while that frees you from paddle-work, the gearbox retains its attitude.While the sport mode does give the GranSport a true performance character, in reality it is impossible to live with for any length of time on the average Sydney road surface. Keep it as a special treat to be savoured in those focussed moments.Aesthetically, the Maserati GranSport loses nothing to its rivals. All Italian from the trident mounted on the mesh grille under its purposeful Roman nose to the flaring flanks, it is a fine example of what elicits passion in automobile aficionados. But slide inside and the experience is truly enhanced.The interior is welcoming and encompassing with extremely comfortable sports seats, a steering wheel with leather on the main grip areas and a squared-off carbon fibre top with an embedded silver centering mark.The small central lever, with its lift-and-pull action for reverse, is a bit twee for the car.The seat insert and trim material is both stylish — it should be, having been developed by a leading Italian fashion house — and effective at providing seat-of-the-pants grip.However, it is not all chianti and aged parmesan. There are some things — important things — that really should be better in a car of this stature. Potentially the most critical is the relationship of the accelerator to the brake. In the reverse of what is ideal, the accelerator pedal sits proud of the brake making it not uncommon to catch it with the outside of the foot on the way to the brake.A surge when retardation is needed can really get adrenalin flowing. Problem solved if you left-foot brake — but in reality, that is just a way around an issue that shouldn't exist.Annoying, but not as crucial, is the difficulty reaching some of the comfort controls set back in the stylishly scalloped centre console.The squashed top on the steering wheel also has a way of obscuring the upper areas of the instrument panel.But back to the good stuff. The biggest improvement in the new GranSport is in the steering feel. Previously an area in which Maserati trailed its natural rivals by some distance, it is now on a par with most and close to the best.

No arm twisting in the office is necessary when it comes to driving an Italian thoroughbred.And what a thoroughbred the GranSport is with a heritage going back to 1926 and a retuned V8 engine from Ferrari's F430.Maserati has been through ups and downs over the decades with some superb machines and some forgettable.The GranSport falls firmly in the former category.Barnwell says:As the name suggests it is more of a grand tourer than a road going race-car and as a result, is easier to live with - as far as a highly strung performance car can be.The sexy, low slung, two door coupe seats four and has a swag of luxury and comfort items.Occupants don't suffer privation to enjoy the delights of the GranSport.And there are plenty of delights, especially if you like them fast and furious.As expected, performance is witheringly quick thanks to the lightweight 4.2-litre, naturally aspirated V8 engine.Good for 295kW/452Nm, the multi-cam engine is capable of propelling this 1680kg coupe from 0-100km/h in 4.85 seconds.The two mode automated six speed manual transmission called Cambiocorsa is arguably the best in the business being a virtual lift from Ferrari F1 cars (with modifications for civilian use).The system even blips the throttle on every down change and an auto mode is provided.The GranSport is right up there in the handling department.In "normal" mode, the suspension is too soft but in "sport" everything gels.The faster it goes, the better it feels. Steering precision is of a high order and the massive Brembo brakes make light work of stopping. It holds a line through corners beautifully.Driving the GranSport is a rare treat, everyone looks, everyone hears especially when sport mode is selected and the exhaust baffles open wider.It commands respect and deserves praise but then for nearly $250,000, it would want to be good.Riley says:I'm suprised I managed to liberate the keys to this bag of tricks from Barney, a feller known for his "lurve" of fast cars.I've driven plenty of screamers over the years but this one definitely stands out.It's the sound of the engine I will remember most.Say what you like about the Italians but they know how to build superb engines.Forget turbocharging, supercharging and the like, nothing beats a beautifully crafted and prepared naturally aspirated V8.Hit the start button and it, you and the immediate neighborood are enveloped by a loud, low frequency hum, a bit like the din from a 13B rotary - a noise transformed into an F1-like roar that can be heard blocks away as the car moves off.At 4.85 seconds, it's faster than anything from FPV or HSV, quicker than a WRX STI and a hair's breadth slower than a Porsche Carrera S.Breathtaking to drive.Having said that, the GranSport is a pig in traffic (tranny is way too slow for stop-start city driving), brake and accelerator pedal are too close together, the suspension has got no idea what to do with a good old Aussie bump, the back seat is built for a race of pygmies, the sound system is a big disappointment and did I mention that it leaks?Yes, there I was, being the real yob, driving this Italian super car in Dr Scholls sandals after a brief shower of rain and lo'... was that a drop of water I felt?Sad to say but every time I pointed the car at a hill the big toe of my left foot, minding its own business on the foot rest, copped a sprinkling of water.Well, you've got to take the good with the bad. 

Motor show committee chairman Chris Beecham said attendance was more than 117,000 over the 10 days of the show, compared with last year's record 128,000.He attributed the smaller figure to the one-off move from February to March, CityTrain and the Broncos versus Cowboys clash on Sunday."We'll be happy to go back to February next year," he said. The Brisbane show swapped dates with the Melbourne Motor Show so it could avoid a clash with the Commonwealth Games."Overall, the quality of the stands was good and there were a lot of sales made," Beecham said.Audi Centre dealer principal Greg Willims said they sold a lot of luxury vehicles including a $748,000 Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster, a Maserati GranSport costing $264,000 and two Bentley Continental Flying Spurs worth $390,000 each.He said they also had orders for two Bentley Azure convertibles worth $650,000 each and 32 Audi Q7 sports utility vehicles.A custom chopper built during the duration of the show was passed in at auction for $75,000 on Saturday night as it was below reserve.The Croc Chopper, built by King Pin Choppers of Geebung, is now for sale by private tender with profits going to the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation.Leukemia patient Harley Jack Davidson Jones, 7, of the Gold Coast, gave the project his seal of approval when he was a guest of the show last week.With a name like that, he could hardly be expected to disapprove, although he seemed more interested in the Wiggles car on a nearby stand.Harley did, however, appreciate the crushing action of the croc's jaws at the front of the bike.A Royal Children's Hospital Foundation spokeswoman said the money raised from the auction would be used to help find a cure for people like Harley.Kin Pin Choppers boss Phil Harwood said he was disappointed the bike was not sold, but the way now was open for its true value to be realised.Prospective buyers should contact motor show organiser Michelle Ramsey, on 3237 8760.More than $105,000 was raised for the Road Safety Fund of Queensland in the annual Personalised Plates Queensland Collector Plate Auction at the show with the top price of $15,000 bid for Q162.Successful bidder Peter Campbell of the Gold Coast said he already had Q308 and wanted to acquire more of the historic Q plates, the first series issued in Queensland early last century.Another collector bought the new football-themed, seven-character plates BRONCOS ($14,000) and COWBOYS ($13,000).Next year's motor show will be from February 2-11.Exhibitor stand results: motorcycles and scooters, Morgan & Wacker Harley-Davidson; motor vehicle stand under 500sq m, Saab; stand over 500sq m and John Cant Award, Hyundai; allied industry display, Personalised Plates Queensland; and aftermarket stand, Northfield Car Sound.

Show committee chairman Chris Beecham said several manufacturers treated the event as an opportunity to sell new cars as well as display them, with 900 sales recorded last year.A record 128,000 people visited the show in 2005 and this year more than 50 new models will be among the displays, from a $1.3 million Pagani Zonda Roadster down to the national launch of the Toyota Yaris sedan costing $17,690."The total value of all the cars on display would be $200 million to $300 million," Mr Beecham said.The opening of the show comes as NRMA Insurance yesterday announced it would reduce premiums on cars fitted with swerve or electronic stability control.Mr Beecham estimated up to 50 per cent of the cars at the show would have ESC fitted as standard or available as an option."Everyone has a different name for it, but it's a magnificent technological advancement," he said."Five or six years ago most vehicles didn't have airbags and ABS brakes — now they are standard. ESC will soon become standard in new cars."Mr Beecham said if Queensland had annual roadworthy checks on vehicles there would be more new vehicles with safety devices such as ESC on the roads.NRMA Insurance state manager Brett Robinson said motor show visitors should put new cars with ESC at the top of their list."We applaud those manufacturers who are already installing electronic stability control and hope the move NRMA Insurance is making to include it in our risk profile when assessing new cars will encourage more manufacturers to follow suit."If there was widespread use of ESC, it could lead to around 3500 fewer collisions on Queensland roads each year, he said."We believe this technology has the capacity to save lives on our roads and to particularly reduce the frequency of single-vehicle crashes," Mr Beecham said.ESC is an extension of anti-lock brake technology, featuring speed sensors and independent braking devices for each wheel to prevent skidding.Manufacturers already fitting the technology in their cars include luxury makers such as Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Jaguar, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Saab, which will all have cars at the show.

At $1.3 million the V12 Pagani Zonda roadster, pictured, one of the most expensive cars to be revealed in Queensland, will roar to life among close to 20 environmentally friendly diesel and hybrid (petrol/electric) examples.Queensland's annual motoring extravaganza has drawn a record number of cars making their Australian or Queensland debuts which reflects the buoyant state of the local new car market.More than 216,000 (22 per cent of the national market) new vehicles were purchased in Queensland last year, with the Sunshine State leading the way in growth.What has also helped build the imposing list of Motor Show exhibits is the scheduling of the show a month later than normal because it swapped dates with Melbourne which avoided clashing with the Commonwealth Games."Visitors this year will see more than 50 cars that either are just released or still to be released, while there are quite a few more they may never see on the roads, such as the Holden Efijy concept or ultra-rare exotics like the Pagani Zonda," Chris Beecham, chairman of the motor show organising committee said."By putting on their best displays the companies are acknowledging the growing influence of Queensland car buyers."From the industry's viewpoint, the show provides a strong kick-start to the sales year."Also competing for exotic bragging rights will be Ferrari's 612 Scaglietti and F430, the $650,000 Bentley Azure convertible, Maserati GranSport Spyder, the Lamborghini Gallardo Roadster and Murcielago, Jaguar XK convertible and Australia's 300km/h Redback Spyder which is featured on the cover of the motor show program in The Courier-Mail today.The Porsche range returns after several years which features the all-new Cayman S coupe which sits between the Boxster and the 911.The traditional display of motorcycles will have a spectacular star, with predictions the "Croc Chopper", being custom-built on a special show stand, could fetch up to $120,000 when it is auctioned on the final night for the Royal Children's Hospital Foundation charity.Fuel-efficient, environment-friendly cars will appear in record numbers.Lexus debuts Australia's first luxury sedan with petrol-electric hybrid power, the 450H, and Honda with an all-new Civic hybrid.The latest examples of clean, powerful and economical turbocharged diesel engines will be displayed by traditionally sporty brands BMW, Alfa Romeo and Jaguar.Citroen, Peugeot, Audi, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, Mazda and Holden will show "oil-burners".An added attraction will be the staging of the official V8 Supercars championship launch featuring all cars, drivers and transporters at South Bank from 10am-2pm on Saturday.Both Little Stanley St and Glenelg St, just outside the motor show, will be closed for the free event.While the V8 launch only runs on one day the motor show continues until Saturday week.

What is emerging on the radar of these free-spending clients is a marque which can be considered a little out of left field.Maserati, a member of the powerful Ferrari and Alfa Romeo stable, is tickling the fancy of those traditionally loyal to German saloons.In particular, the Quattroporte is gathering speed and winning over people coming out of, among other luxury four-door offerings, Mercedes-Benz S-Class limos.The current generation QP was a late starter in Australia, arriving here last year. It's doing reasonable business and is the biggest seller in the Maserati line-up alongside the coupe, Gransport and Spyder.This imposing four-door shines with a polarising design. Part of the appeal is its sheer presence and ability to stand out in the crowd rather than blend in like most of the dressed-up $200,000-plus luxury saloons.Maserati have sunk big dollars, believed to be about $300 million, into developing the QP.This saloon is endowed with plenty of urge from its free-revving 4.2-litre V8 with each bank set in 90-degree configuration.A lot of what gives the QP stunning handling and precision starts with the positioning of this 183kg engine which is set further back and has a lower centre of gravity.Much has been made of mechanical balance with this super saloon achieving a 47-53 per cent front/rear weight distribution.The Quattroporte, a name which first sprang to life for Maserati in 1963 with the Frua-styled first-generation sedan, has trans-axle architecture where the gearbox is installed at the rear, which helps strike a more performance orientated balance.This bespoke Maserati uses a DuoSelect transmission with electro-hydraulic actuation.Left in drive it can be overriden anytime by squeezing the steering wheel-mounted paddles.A manual/automatic button can also be pushed to select specifically what function you desire and there is a sport mode which tightens up the suspension.It's a little awkward driving it around town strictly in auto as it will stay in third gear unless you shift up with the paddle.For such a big lump of a sedan, the QP has stunning body control.It uses what Maserati call Skyhook active suspension that continually adjusts damping but does not change ride height.Sensors monitor acceleration and also chart the movements of the wheels and the body, instantly changing damper settings to meet the conditions. Maserati claims it is 10 times faster than conventional systems.The feeling of changes in suspension is quite apparent, as together with the fidgety gearbox the Quattroporte seems busy sorting itself out to match road conditions and a person's changing driving behaviour.Built into the geometry is anti-dive and anti-squat protection aimed at helping the car's body maintain poise.It is relatively short geared with access to the 294kW (400bhp) of power and 451Nm of torque sorted via a six-speed changer.Unleashing all this fury through the responsive throttle which operates via a drive-by-wire system, the QP screams and yelps into life.There is a momentary lapse from the naturally aspirated V8 with a Hill Holder function keeping it stationary before the raucous V8 blasts into full noise and thrusts forward.One point which remained a concern for the new-age QP was quality issues.However, after one owner and 12,000km this super saloon as tested showed no signs of becoming unhinged with fit and finish problems.The QP is not a numb, boring luxury machine that has been sapped of personality. It is alive and busy and a hit for enthusiasts.The range will be freshened for 2006 with a swag of equipment changes including trim, wheels and a DuoSelect gearbox said to be 35 per cent quicker in Sport mode.