The 2018 Maserati GranTurismo four-seat coupe has arrived in Australia and features several significant refinements. The GranTurismo range in Australia now consists of two distinctly different variants, Sport and MC. They share the same powertrain but the suspension, interior trim and equipment vary from model to model.
While the Sport is aimed at the sporty driver who doesn’t want to take their car to extremes, the GranTurismo MC, for Maserati Corse, is there for the serious driver who loves high-performance Italian machines.
A significant restyle of the GranTourismo is more than a mere visual facelift and tail tuck. Rather it’s aimed at slicker aerodynamics. The Sport and MC share the same basic features, but each has unique inserts to accentuate its distinctive character.
The track-focused GranTurismo MC is equipped with a carbon-fibre bonnet in the body colour. It has air-vents that optimise downforce. Additionally, there are iconic vertical air vents in the front guards and functional side skirts. Silver forged wheels are stronger and lighter than in the outgoing model.
Maserati MY18 GranTurismo is fitted with new, lightweight, fourth-generation Pirelli P Zero tyres.
The 2018 Maserati GranTurismo Sport has Poltrona Frau leather upholstery with strip design in contrast colour on front and rear seats. The Maserati trident logo is stitched on head restraints.
Befitting its sporting intentions the GranTurismo MC has a Poltrona Frau leather/drilled Alcantara upholstery, which is also used on the sports steering wheel
The centrepiece of the dashboard is now a new high-resolution, 8.4-inch capacitive touchscreen. Infotainment can use either Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring functions. Both GranTurismo models also now feature a high-end Harman Kardon Premium Sound system.
Let’s not forget the classic Maserati clock, which is now installed in a slightly more prominent position at the centre of the dashboard.
The naturally aspirated 4.7-litre V8 unit is a Maserati design and is hand-assembled by Ferrari in its Maranello factory. It features a wet sump and a cross-plane crankshaft, the latter plays a major part in the Maserati signature sound that is the favourite of many car enthusiasts worldwide.
It produces a delightful 460 horsepower, drives through a quick acting six-speed automatic and is sure to bring pleasure to even the most mundane of driving days. And when you do move out of the mundane and take it for a fang…
