Maserati massages GranTurismo

Maserati has unveiled a facelifted version of its decade-old flagship GranTurismo coupe, which will arrive Down Under alongside a similarly revised GranCabrio early next year.

Revealed outside the New York Stock Exchange, where Maserati CEO Reid Bigland rang the bell at the close of play yesterday, the 2018 GranTurismo brings a new ‘sharknose’ front-end design inspired by the 2014 Alfieri supercar concept and an uptick in engine performance.

Together, the new hexagonal grille, lower front air intakes and rear bumper are claimed to reduce the coupe’s aerodynamic drag coefficient from 0.33 to 0.32Cd.

Meantime, 5kW more peak power (now 343kW at 7000rpm, while torque remains the same at 520Nm at 4750rpm) from the Ferrari-built naturally-aspirated 4.7-litre V8 and a recalibrated six-speed ZF automatic transmission are claimed to make the GranTurismo slightly quicker than before.

Zero to 100km/h acceleration for the Sport is claimed to take place in 4.8 seconds on the way to a 299km/h top speed, while the MC will come with 4.7sec and 301km/h claims.

Other upgrades include a redesigned centre console with high-resolution 8.4-inch touch-screen, Harman Kardon premium sound system and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, plus a new ‘Grigio Granito’ exterior colour.

The upgraded two-door, four-seat coupe and convertible range will be available in both Sport and MC (Maserati Corse) forms Down Under, where sales of the sports cars are down by more than half so far this year.

Local pricing is yet to be announced, but GranTurismo prices currently start at $295,000 for the MC Sportline, increasing to $345,000 for the MC Stradale, $338,000 for the GranCabrio Sport and $355,000 for the GranCabrio MC.

Maserati has produced more than 37,000 examples of the Pininfarina-designed coupe and convertible since 2007.