Maserati GranTurismo S 2008 Review

Launched: Maserati GranTurismo S

Provided you overlook the limited-production MC12 (the run of 50 Enzo-based supercars), the new Maserati GranTurismo S is the company's most powerful and fastest car ever.

Yet, more than the absolute numbers (323kW and 295km/h), adding S to the name brings a fundamental change in character to transform this Maser into something special.

The S is less Grand Touring and more Sports, mostly because the brilliant ZF-automatic is replaced by a much modified and (truly) much improved robotised manual transaxle gearbox.

Moving the gearbox from behind the quad-cam V8 to the rear brings a shift in weight distribution from 49/51 to 47/53, a move that results in an obvious traction benefit in slippery conditions. It also subtly reduces understeer and speeds up turn-in, enhancing handling responses. Stiffer rear springs, a thicker rear anti-roll bar and firmer damper rates guarantee a taut yet never uncomfortable ride, at least on Italy's roads. Body control is brilliant, the S flowing beautifully through a series of closing radius corners, the now 20-inch rubber scarcely approaching the limits on dry surfaces. Adjustable dampers are optional, and its choice of a notably softer setting may be preferable on local blacktop.

Of course, there is also that marvellous engine that offers a choice of character. Normal mode aligns to a refined GT, S bypasses the rear muffler and turns the V8 into a crackly, primeval device that is probably tiring over an extended period, but fantastic in short, dramatic bursts. Overlay the power and torque curves of the 4.2- and 4.7-litre V8s and you see that up to 2000rpm, they are identical. From there the gap widens to the benefit of mid-range torque and power, cutting the 0-100km/h time from 5.2sec to a swift 4.9sec.

Maserati boasts that fuel economy is improved by nine percent to 11.2 litres per 100km in the European extra-urban mode, but prefers to ignore the climb in combined consumption from 14.7 to 16.6 litres per 100km.

Gearchanges can't hope to match a proper auto, but in manual mode, above 5500rpm and with 80 percent throttle, they are 100 milliseconds quick. Only in auto on a light throttle are they palpably slow. Unquestionably, the GranTurismo is better suited to Australian roads, but the 20 percent of customers who demand an S will delight in the most charismatic Maserati in decades.