2009 Maserati Gran Turismo S Sport Coupe Review
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Maserati Introduces 2009 Gran Turismo S Sport Coupe in Modena, Italy
Special to The Auto Channel
By Marty Bernstein
AIADA Contributing Editor
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It’s the birthplace of Enzo Ferrari, the godfather of speed, and houses the factories and offices of such Italian automobile notables as Ferrari, De Tomaso, Lamborghini (actually next door in neighboring Bolo-gna), Pagani, and of course Maserati.
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Last year Maserati introduced the GranTurismo sport coupe and this year they’ve added refinements, made modifications, created improvements, tweaked, adjusted, and enhanced what was already a well received model. They added the “S” for super designation. A justly deserved approbation.
This is truly a super vehicle. A road and driver’s car with style, substance, speed, and sounds equaling total satisfaction. From the first look to the moment one sits on comfortable, leather seats you know a unique experience awaits.
Click PLAY to watch a video of the press trip
Turn the key to start; the Ferrari-designed engine springs to life with a praiseworthy, deep rich voice that sends chills to the sensory portion of the brain. The message is loud and clear: this is gonna be great.
A unique driving experience is rather rare these days in the luxury car business. Everyone’s cars, without exception, are “nice.” But unique – ah, that’s different. Driving the S, you feel, and are in total control, of the operation and engineering of the car. You drive it easily and comfortably, it does not drive you with assorted mechanical aids and devices.
There’s power, lots and lots of power in the big V8, 433 hp engine, which springs to action instantly whether passing on a narrow two lane road in the gorgeous Italian countryside or going through a centu-ries old arch on cobblestone surface. Top speed is 185 mph and 0 to 62 in 4.6 seconds.
Choose the way it’s powered – drive it in automatic or in paddle shifter manual mode. Both are affective and efficient. Either way, the everyday driver has a choice, and both are exhilarating. Press a button and the amazing sound goes from race-track-great to a gentle deep throated brrrrrrr. Add the big 20” wheels, styling accents and additions, huge Bembo brakes, and you’re sure to attract attention anywhere.
On the 300 kilometer drive through Italy, where wonderful high speed luxury automobiles are seen daily, the Maserati GranTurismo S caused a sensation. Other drivers gave the thumbs-up salute; pedestrians smiled, waved and called, “bravo!” at coffee stops; throngs gathered to look and admire.
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To learn more about this vehicle, a special website has been created at www.maseratigranturismo-s.com. It’s well worth a click through.
It’s been a long hard road for Maserati
From
it’s founding in 1914 by the five Maserati brothers in neighboring
Bologna, the company’s history is a series of highs and lows, good
cars and bad decisions. Yet it always held a lingering reputation among
wealthy car aficionados as a status symbol of wealth, prestige, and Italian
draftsmanship. Part of its fame was acquired in auto racing during the
early part of the last century, including a win at the Indianapolis 500.
Falling on hard times with different private and corporate ownerships and
managements, along with lackluster vehicles and poor quality in the
‘70s and ‘80’s – including a disastrous
relationship with Chrysler, Maserati almost entered the extinct list of
automobile brands.
Today’s Maserati
But in 1992 Fiat, S.p.A.,
Italy’s largest car manufacturer, which also owns Ferrari and Alfa
Romeo, bought Maserati and began a multi-year, arduous, and investment
heavy revitalization and reorganiza-tion, which has resulted in the
resurgence of an invigorated Maserati. Roberto Ronchi, president and CEO of
Maserati confided recently, “We made a profit last year for the first
time since our ownership by Fiat.”
Masterati’s new growth is the result of the production of luxurious vehicles in limited quantities for the su-per premium, luxury market. The Quattroporte, the flagship 4-door sedan designed by Pininfarina, had gained enviable sales given strong competition from Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz along with Jaguar and Aston Martin.
And now the Maserati GranTurismo S sets new standards for luxury sport coupes. The choice at dealer-ships is now limited to these two cars, but when I asked the Maserati CEO, Ronchi, “When will there be a convertible? Maserati has always had a convertible?” he responded with a smile.
With great cars like these, Maserati is undergoing more than just brand
resurgence; it is a renaissance, a reawakening of an auto brand that was
comatose. Bravo!