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Image credits: © Maserati.
2004 Maserati GranSport Coupe news, pictures, and information | ||
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Maserati GranSport is the name for a new model celebrating the sporting soul at the heart of the Trident's Grand Tourers (GTs) and will be unveiled to the world for the first time at the 2004 Geneva International Motor Show. The new car joins the Coupé and Spyder in the Maserati range and goes on sale this summer. The GranSport name has special symbolic significance for Maserati as it was first used in the 1950s for the elegant two-litre coupe designed by the Carozzeria Frua on the chassis of the famous A6 G model.
The new GranSport is designed as an alternative to the current Coupé and has been developed to express the powerful temperament at the heart of the car.
AN AERODYNAMIC THOROÚGHBRED
The Maserati GranSport's beautiful shape has been developed in the wind tunnel and uses muscular aerodynamic forms to improve the airflow over the car, ensuring a balance of vertical loads between the front and rear axles. The result is that the Maserati GranSport has a drag factor of 0.33, one of the very best in its category. The enhanced dynamic characteristics along wîth improved front-wheel driveability make it very easy to handle. GranSport owners will be able to enjoy the performance of the vehicle wîth complete confidence.
The aerodynamic changes include the development of new bumpers. At the front a very pronounced lower spoiler wîth side bars integrates elegantly into the body itself, while the boot lid has been given a discrete but efficient spoiler lip.
Altogether the new aerodynamic features, combined wîth a 10 mm reduction in ride height, result in a two-point improvement in the drag factor over the standard Coupé delivering real benefits for the driver. The Maserati GranSport offers a truly blistering drive thanks to its direct, precise §teering and excellent stability at high speeds.
The traditional Maserati elegance is there too in the classic chrome grille reminiscent of the Quattroporte. The grilles over the air vents on the rear bumper are chrome, too. The Maserati GranSport's sporty stance is completed wîth new 19' wheels inspired by those used on the cars in the Maserati Trofeo Championship, wîth the spokes forming a very attractive Trident.
400 BHP V8 ENGINE
The Maserati GranSport's normally aspirated 4244cc V8 engine has all the character of the most advanced racing engines wîth dry sump lubrication and twin overhead camshafts per cylinder bank and four-valves-per-cylinder hydraulic tappets. The intake cams also feature variable phase timing.
Maximum power delivery has been upped from the original 390 bhp to 400 bhp after special development to reduce internal friction, along wîth work on the intake manifolds and valve seats. The engine combines wîth a sports exhaust system that is instantly recognisable, thanks to the unique design of its twin chrome tailpipes, designed to give enthusiasts that unmistakeable deep, full-bodied rumble. Thanks to an electronically controlled pneumatic valve system, even more can be heard from the exhaust by pressing the 'Sport' button on the central console.
CAMBIOCORSA TRANSMISSION
The Maserati GranSport uses the Cambiocorsa six-speed electro-hydraulic transmission in which the gears are changed using paddles mounted behind the §teering wheel, further enhancing the car's sporting heritage. The Cambiocorsa system allows drivers to choose between various gear shifting modes (Normal, Sport, Automatic and Low Grip) using software developed specifically for the GranSport. In Sport mode the GranSport offers 35 per cent quicker gear changes than the Coupé and boasts automatic heel-and-toeing to make dropping down a gear even faster. Thanks to the new Cambiocorsa software, the Maserati GranSport can sprint over a kilometre from standstill in 23 seconds flat.
The gear shift ratios are unique to the car too wîth the adoption of a sixth gear that is five per cent longer than the Coupé, which, in combination wîth its more powerful engine and improved aerodynamics, allows the Maserati GranSport to improve on the already blistering speeds of the Coupé, reaching a top speed of 180 mph where legally permitted.
The Cambiocorsa system has two modes, in common wîth the Spyder and Coupé range. Normal mode offers a dynamic GT driving experience, while wîth a touch of the Sport button on the central console the true power of the car comes to life. Sport mode delivers much faster gear changes, a deeper exhaust sound and less intervention by the MSP stability and traction control system. The Skyhook suspension system, which offers continuous damping control, is also affected by the driver's choice of Normal or Sport modes. For more comfort-oriented driving, there is even an Auto mode. However, the Sport function can still be activated in this mode.
DRIVER-ORIENTED TECHNOLOGY
The Maserati GranSport boasts all of the technological and safety features offered by the Maserati range of GTs, but wîth some very important refinements. The car has the same sophisticated set-up as the Coupé Cambiocorsa: a transaxle layout wîth the gearbox rear-mounted in unit wîth the differential, stability and traction control (MSP) integrating ABS, ASR, MSR and EBD functions, which the driver can deactivate if desired, and the Skyhook adaptive damping system which instantly adapts the damper calibrations to suit the driving and road conditions and allows the driver to choose between two different settings (Normal and Sport).
The suspension has been lowered by 10 mm and along wîth new 19' wheels and tyres (front 235/35 19', rear 265/30 19'), characterised by a smaller slip angle, has lowered the centre of gravity and hardened the set-up of Maserati GranSport, making it even more agile and responsive.
The Brembo brakes wîth alloy titanium-coloured four-piston callipers and large ventilated cross-drilled discs (front 330 mm; rear 310 mm) further enhance the dynamic characteristics of the car.
INTERIOR: ELEGANCE AND FÚNCTION
The GranSport's interior reflects its personality in terms of aesthetics and functionality, yet exudes the elegant good taste and luxurious comfort of a Maserati GT. The dashboard, body-hugging seats, tunnel, thick-rimmed §teering wheel, and innovative choice of materials (leather, carbon fibre, alloy, high tech fabric) all combine to create a truly sporty ambience.
The Maserati GranSport's dashboard boasts special trim and central console options. The upper part of the dash is trimmed in leather, while the central area, framed by car-coloured piping, is trimmed in a high-tech fabric originally developed for nautical use and available in Nero (Black), Grigio Nickel (Nickel Grey) or Blu Metal (Metal Blue). This is a double-layered material that combines form and function, being non-slip and extremely hard wearing, ideal for trimming the central area of sports seats and the lower rim of the §teering wheel.
The front seats provide high levels of lateral support ensuring maximum driver contact wîth the car for perfect control. They were developed wîth the help of Maserati test drivers using strict ergonomic principles to combine sporty characteristics and excellent seat comfort for perfect, long distance driving. This is why the seats are also fully power adjustable and can be supplied wîth a heating option and memorised settings on the driver's side.
The carbon fibre, leather-trimmed tunnel separates the two front seats. It contains the Cambiocorsa control selector and the secondary commands, set into an elegant chrome surround.
The main controls including the blue Start button are grouped together on the central console near the driver. The climate control and CD player buttons are also set in a carbon feature on the central console.
Customers of the Maserati GranSport will appreciate the craftsmanship involved in hand-making the three-spoke §teering wheel wîth a moulded rim (trimmed in perforated leather, carbon and technical fabric) to offer improved ergonomic grip. All of the car's functions are arranged on the instrument binnacle, which boasts sporty white graphics on a Maserati navy blue background.Source - Maserati Media
The new GranSport is designed as an alternative to the current Coupé and has been developed to express the powerful temperament at the heart of the car.
AN AERODYNAMIC THOROÚGHBRED
The Maserati GranSport's beautiful shape has been developed in the wind tunnel and uses muscular aerodynamic forms to improve the airflow over the car, ensuring a balance of vertical loads between the front and rear axles. The result is that the Maserati GranSport has a drag factor of 0.33, one of the very best in its category. The enhanced dynamic characteristics along wîth improved front-wheel driveability make it very easy to handle. GranSport owners will be able to enjoy the performance of the vehicle wîth complete confidence.
The aerodynamic changes include the development of new bumpers. At the front a very pronounced lower spoiler wîth side bars integrates elegantly into the body itself, while the boot lid has been given a discrete but efficient spoiler lip.
Altogether the new aerodynamic features, combined wîth a 10 mm reduction in ride height, result in a two-point improvement in the drag factor over the standard Coupé delivering real benefits for the driver. The Maserati GranSport offers a truly blistering drive thanks to its direct, precise §teering and excellent stability at high speeds.
The traditional Maserati elegance is there too in the classic chrome grille reminiscent of the Quattroporte. The grilles over the air vents on the rear bumper are chrome, too. The Maserati GranSport's sporty stance is completed wîth new 19' wheels inspired by those used on the cars in the Maserati Trofeo Championship, wîth the spokes forming a very attractive Trident.
400 BHP V8 ENGINE
The Maserati GranSport's normally aspirated 4244cc V8 engine has all the character of the most advanced racing engines wîth dry sump lubrication and twin overhead camshafts per cylinder bank and four-valves-per-cylinder hydraulic tappets. The intake cams also feature variable phase timing.
Maximum power delivery has been upped from the original 390 bhp to 400 bhp after special development to reduce internal friction, along wîth work on the intake manifolds and valve seats. The engine combines wîth a sports exhaust system that is instantly recognisable, thanks to the unique design of its twin chrome tailpipes, designed to give enthusiasts that unmistakeable deep, full-bodied rumble. Thanks to an electronically controlled pneumatic valve system, even more can be heard from the exhaust by pressing the 'Sport' button on the central console.
CAMBIOCORSA TRANSMISSION
The Maserati GranSport uses the Cambiocorsa six-speed electro-hydraulic transmission in which the gears are changed using paddles mounted behind the §teering wheel, further enhancing the car's sporting heritage. The Cambiocorsa system allows drivers to choose between various gear shifting modes (Normal, Sport, Automatic and Low Grip) using software developed specifically for the GranSport. In Sport mode the GranSport offers 35 per cent quicker gear changes than the Coupé and boasts automatic heel-and-toeing to make dropping down a gear even faster. Thanks to the new Cambiocorsa software, the Maserati GranSport can sprint over a kilometre from standstill in 23 seconds flat.
The gear shift ratios are unique to the car too wîth the adoption of a sixth gear that is five per cent longer than the Coupé, which, in combination wîth its more powerful engine and improved aerodynamics, allows the Maserati GranSport to improve on the already blistering speeds of the Coupé, reaching a top speed of 180 mph where legally permitted.
The Cambiocorsa system has two modes, in common wîth the Spyder and Coupé range. Normal mode offers a dynamic GT driving experience, while wîth a touch of the Sport button on the central console the true power of the car comes to life. Sport mode delivers much faster gear changes, a deeper exhaust sound and less intervention by the MSP stability and traction control system. The Skyhook suspension system, which offers continuous damping control, is also affected by the driver's choice of Normal or Sport modes. For more comfort-oriented driving, there is even an Auto mode. However, the Sport function can still be activated in this mode.
DRIVER-ORIENTED TECHNOLOGY
The Maserati GranSport boasts all of the technological and safety features offered by the Maserati range of GTs, but wîth some very important refinements. The car has the same sophisticated set-up as the Coupé Cambiocorsa: a transaxle layout wîth the gearbox rear-mounted in unit wîth the differential, stability and traction control (MSP) integrating ABS, ASR, MSR and EBD functions, which the driver can deactivate if desired, and the Skyhook adaptive damping system which instantly adapts the damper calibrations to suit the driving and road conditions and allows the driver to choose between two different settings (Normal and Sport).
The suspension has been lowered by 10 mm and along wîth new 19' wheels and tyres (front 235/35 19', rear 265/30 19'), characterised by a smaller slip angle, has lowered the centre of gravity and hardened the set-up of Maserati GranSport, making it even more agile and responsive.
The Brembo brakes wîth alloy titanium-coloured four-piston callipers and large ventilated cross-drilled discs (front 330 mm; rear 310 mm) further enhance the dynamic characteristics of the car.
INTERIOR: ELEGANCE AND FÚNCTION
The GranSport's interior reflects its personality in terms of aesthetics and functionality, yet exudes the elegant good taste and luxurious comfort of a Maserati GT. The dashboard, body-hugging seats, tunnel, thick-rimmed §teering wheel, and innovative choice of materials (leather, carbon fibre, alloy, high tech fabric) all combine to create a truly sporty ambience.
The Maserati GranSport's dashboard boasts special trim and central console options. The upper part of the dash is trimmed in leather, while the central area, framed by car-coloured piping, is trimmed in a high-tech fabric originally developed for nautical use and available in Nero (Black), Grigio Nickel (Nickel Grey) or Blu Metal (Metal Blue). This is a double-layered material that combines form and function, being non-slip and extremely hard wearing, ideal for trimming the central area of sports seats and the lower rim of the §teering wheel.
The front seats provide high levels of lateral support ensuring maximum driver contact wîth the car for perfect control. They were developed wîth the help of Maserati test drivers using strict ergonomic principles to combine sporty characteristics and excellent seat comfort for perfect, long distance driving. This is why the seats are also fully power adjustable and can be supplied wîth a heating option and memorised settings on the driver's side.
The carbon fibre, leather-trimmed tunnel separates the two front seats. It contains the Cambiocorsa control selector and the secondary commands, set into an elegant chrome surround.
The main controls including the blue Start button are grouped together on the central console near the driver. The climate control and CD player buttons are also set in a carbon feature on the central console.
Customers of the Maserati GranSport will appreciate the craftsmanship involved in hand-making the three-spoke §teering wheel wîth a moulded rim (trimmed in perforated leather, carbon and technical fabric) to offer improved ergonomic grip. All of the car's functions are arranged on the instrument binnacle, which boasts sporty white graphics on a Maserati navy blue background.Source - Maserati Media
The latest addition to the Maserati range is the Maserati GranSport.
It is a new model celebrating the concept of sportiness at the heart of all of the Trident's Grand Tourers. The GranSport was unveiled to the world for the first time at Geneva's International Motor Show in March 2004.
The new car, which joins the Coupé and Spyder in the Maserati range, goes on sale next summer. The GranSport's name alone suggests its eager thoroughbred GT spirit, the kind of spirit that can provide plenty of fun on demand for the driver. The GranSport name also has a special symbolic significance for the Trident as it was first used in the 1950s for an elegant two-litre coupe designed by the Carozzeria Frua on the base of the famous A6 G.
The new GranSport, however, is designed to offer an exciting alternative to the current Coupé, and as such, has been treated to series of new enhancements that give it a very powerful temperament indeed.
Technology
Needless to say, the Maserati GranSport boasts all of the many excellent technological and safety features offered by the Maserati Grand Tourers, but wîth some very important refinements.
The car has the same sophisticated set-up as the Coupé Cambiocorsa: a Transaxle layout wîth the gearbox rear-mounted in unit wîth the differential, stability and traction control (MSP) integrating ABS, ASR, MSR and EBD functions, which the driver can deactivate if desired, independent front and rear suspension wîth double wishbone geometry, which can be integrated wîth the Skyhook system on request, the Skyhook adaptive damping system which instantly adapts the damper calibrations to suit the driving and road conditions and allows the driver to choose between two different settings (Normal and Sport).
The fact that the set-up has been lowered by 10 mm and the adoption of the 19' wheels and tyres wîth a specific profile (front 235/35 19', rear 265/30 19'), characterised by a smaller slip angle, have lowered the centre of gravity and hardened the set-up of Maserati GranSport making it even more agile and responsive to the §teering wheel.
The Brembo brakes wîth alloy titanium-coloured four-piston callipers wîth differentiated diameters and large ventilated cross-drilled discs (front 330 mm; rear 310 mm), also further enhance the dynamic characteristics of the car.
Engine
The Maserati GranSport's normally aspirated 4,244 cc V8 has all the structure of the most advanced racing engines wîth dry sump lubrication and twin overhead camshafts per cylinder bank wîth four valves per cylinder hydraulic tappets.
The intake cams also feature variable phase timing. Its maximum power delivery has been upped from the original 390hp to 400hp too, thanks to special development work to reduce internal attrition and careful work on the intake manifolds and valve seats. The engine has been combined wîth a sports exhaust system that is instantly recognisable, thanks to the unusual design of its twin chrome exhausts and was designed to give enthusiasts that instantly recognisable deep, full-bodied rumble. Thanks to an electronically controlled pneumatic valve system, even more can be made of the exhaust by pressing the 'Sport' button on the central console too.
Transmission
The Maserati GranSport is available only wîth the six-speed electro-hydraulic transmission in which the gears are changed using paddles mounted behind the §teering wheel, a feature that further enhances the car's sporty personality.
The Cambiocorsa systems allows drivers to choose between various gear shifting modes (Normal, Sport, Automatic and Low Grip), and in the case of the Maserati GranSport, is controlled by specific software. Even wîth respect to already very highly developed Coupé Cambiocorsa system, the Sport mode in the GranSport offers 35% faster gear changing on average and also boasts automatic heeling and toeing to make dropping down a gear even faster. Thanks to the new Cambiocorsa software, the Maserati GranSport can sprint a whole kilometre from standstill in a breathtaking 23 seconds flat.
The gear shift ratios are specific too, wîth the adoption of a sixth gear that is 5% longer, which, in combination wîth its more powerful engine and improved aerodynamics, allows the Maserati GranSport to improve on the already blistering speeds of the Coupé, delivering a dizzying top speed of 290 km/h.
As wîth the other models in the Maserati range, the driver can choose between two levels of gear changing. Normal mode is more comfortable and typical of Grand Tourer driving, while wîth a touch of the Sport button on the central console they get to feel the true power of the car. The Sport mode delivers much faster gear changing, a deeper exhaust sound and less invasive use of the MSP stability and traction control system. The optional Skyhook suspension system, which offers continuous damping control, is also affected by the driver's choice of Normal or Sport modes.
For more comfort-oriented driving, there is even an Auto button which puts the gears in full automatic mode so that the driver need do nothing more than sit back enjoy the thrilling experience of driving a Maserati. However, the Sport function can still be activated in this mode.
Exterior
The Maserati GranSport's harmonious volumes are beautifully combined wîth more muscular, aerodynamic forms.
This is the fruit of much testing in the wind tunnel aimed at improving the Cx value and achieving a balanced division of the vertical loads (Cz) between the front and rear axles.
The result is that the Maserati GranSport has a Cx of 0.33, one of the very best in its category. An almost total absence of oversteer and improved front-wheel drivability and precision make it very easy to handle too and ensure that drivers will be able to really put it and themselves through their paces in complete safety. Work on the new model's aerodynamics has led to the addition of new bumpers. The front one, in fact, has a very pronounced lower spoiler wîth side bars elegantly integrated into the body itself, while the luggage compartment deck has been given a discreet yet equally efficient spoiler lip.
The new aerodynamic features associated wîth the fact that the set-up is now 10 mm lower, result in a two point improvement in the Cx value and translate into clear benefits for the driver. In fact, the Maserati GranSport offers a truly blistering drive, thanks to its direct, precise §teering and excellent stability at high speeds.
The traditional Trident elegance is there too in the classic chrome grille reminiscent of the Quattroporte's. The grilles over the air vents on the rear bumper are chrome too. The Maserati GranSport's sporty look is completed by new 19' wheels inspired by the ones sported by the cars in the Maserati Trofeo Championship, wîth spokes forming a very attractive Trident.
Interior
The GranSport's interior reflects its brilliant personality both in terms of aesthetics and functionality, yet also exudes the elegant good taste and luxurious comfort of a Trident Grand Tourer.
The dashboard, body-hugging seats, tunnel, thick-rimmed §teering wheel, impressive materials (leather, carbon fibre, alloy, high tech fabric) all combine to create an attractively sporty ambience too.
The Maserati GranSport's dashboard boasts excellent specialist trim and central console options. The upper part of the dash is trimmed in leather, while the central area, framed by the car-coloured piping strip, is trimmed in a special high tech fabric originally developed for nautical use and available in Nero (Black), Grigio Nickel (Nickel Grey) or Blu Metal (Metal Blue). This is a double layered material which is not only very attractive but also non-slip and extremely hard-wearing, making it ideal for trimming the central area of sports seats and the lower rim of the §teering wheel.
The front seats are designed for high lateral containment, and guarantee maximum driver contact wîth the car for perfect control. They were developed wîth the help of the Maserati test drivers in line wîth the strictest ergonomic principles wîth the aim of combining sporty characteristics and excellent seat comfort for perfect, long distance driving. This is why the seats are also fully power adjustable and can, on request, be supplied wîth a heating option and memorised settings on the driver's side.
The carbon, leather-trimmed tunnel separates the two front seats. It contains the Cambiocorsa control selector and the secondary commands, each one of which is set into an elegant chrome surround.
The main control buttons, including the blue Start button, on the other hand, are grouped together on the central console near the driver.
The climate control and CD player buttons are also set in a carbon feature on the central console.
Any driver lucky enough to get his hands on the three-spoke §teering wheel of the Maserati GranSport will appreciate the work that has been done to mould the rim (trimmed in perforated leather, carbon and technical fabric) to offer improved ergonomic grip. All of the car's functions are arranged on the instrument binnacle which boasts sporty white graphics on a Maserati navy blue background.Source - Maserati
For more information and related vehicles, click hereIt is a new model celebrating the concept of sportiness at the heart of all of the Trident's Grand Tourers. The GranSport was unveiled to the world for the first time at Geneva's International Motor Show in March 2004.
The new car, which joins the Coupé and Spyder in the Maserati range, goes on sale next summer. The GranSport's name alone suggests its eager thoroughbred GT spirit, the kind of spirit that can provide plenty of fun on demand for the driver. The GranSport name also has a special symbolic significance for the Trident as it was first used in the 1950s for an elegant two-litre coupe designed by the Carozzeria Frua on the base of the famous A6 G.
The new GranSport, however, is designed to offer an exciting alternative to the current Coupé, and as such, has been treated to series of new enhancements that give it a very powerful temperament indeed.
Technology
Needless to say, the Maserati GranSport boasts all of the many excellent technological and safety features offered by the Maserati Grand Tourers, but wîth some very important refinements.
The car has the same sophisticated set-up as the Coupé Cambiocorsa: a Transaxle layout wîth the gearbox rear-mounted in unit wîth the differential, stability and traction control (MSP) integrating ABS, ASR, MSR and EBD functions, which the driver can deactivate if desired, independent front and rear suspension wîth double wishbone geometry, which can be integrated wîth the Skyhook system on request, the Skyhook adaptive damping system which instantly adapts the damper calibrations to suit the driving and road conditions and allows the driver to choose between two different settings (Normal and Sport).
The fact that the set-up has been lowered by 10 mm and the adoption of the 19' wheels and tyres wîth a specific profile (front 235/35 19', rear 265/30 19'), characterised by a smaller slip angle, have lowered the centre of gravity and hardened the set-up of Maserati GranSport making it even more agile and responsive to the §teering wheel.
The Brembo brakes wîth alloy titanium-coloured four-piston callipers wîth differentiated diameters and large ventilated cross-drilled discs (front 330 mm; rear 310 mm), also further enhance the dynamic characteristics of the car.
Engine
The Maserati GranSport's normally aspirated 4,244 cc V8 has all the structure of the most advanced racing engines wîth dry sump lubrication and twin overhead camshafts per cylinder bank wîth four valves per cylinder hydraulic tappets.
The intake cams also feature variable phase timing. Its maximum power delivery has been upped from the original 390hp to 400hp too, thanks to special development work to reduce internal attrition and careful work on the intake manifolds and valve seats. The engine has been combined wîth a sports exhaust system that is instantly recognisable, thanks to the unusual design of its twin chrome exhausts and was designed to give enthusiasts that instantly recognisable deep, full-bodied rumble. Thanks to an electronically controlled pneumatic valve system, even more can be made of the exhaust by pressing the 'Sport' button on the central console too.
Transmission
The Maserati GranSport is available only wîth the six-speed electro-hydraulic transmission in which the gears are changed using paddles mounted behind the §teering wheel, a feature that further enhances the car's sporty personality.
The Cambiocorsa systems allows drivers to choose between various gear shifting modes (Normal, Sport, Automatic and Low Grip), and in the case of the Maserati GranSport, is controlled by specific software. Even wîth respect to already very highly developed Coupé Cambiocorsa system, the Sport mode in the GranSport offers 35% faster gear changing on average and also boasts automatic heeling and toeing to make dropping down a gear even faster. Thanks to the new Cambiocorsa software, the Maserati GranSport can sprint a whole kilometre from standstill in a breathtaking 23 seconds flat.
The gear shift ratios are specific too, wîth the adoption of a sixth gear that is 5% longer, which, in combination wîth its more powerful engine and improved aerodynamics, allows the Maserati GranSport to improve on the already blistering speeds of the Coupé, delivering a dizzying top speed of 290 km/h.
As wîth the other models in the Maserati range, the driver can choose between two levels of gear changing. Normal mode is more comfortable and typical of Grand Tourer driving, while wîth a touch of the Sport button on the central console they get to feel the true power of the car. The Sport mode delivers much faster gear changing, a deeper exhaust sound and less invasive use of the MSP stability and traction control system. The optional Skyhook suspension system, which offers continuous damping control, is also affected by the driver's choice of Normal or Sport modes.
For more comfort-oriented driving, there is even an Auto button which puts the gears in full automatic mode so that the driver need do nothing more than sit back enjoy the thrilling experience of driving a Maserati. However, the Sport function can still be activated in this mode.
Exterior
The Maserati GranSport's harmonious volumes are beautifully combined wîth more muscular, aerodynamic forms.
This is the fruit of much testing in the wind tunnel aimed at improving the Cx value and achieving a balanced division of the vertical loads (Cz) between the front and rear axles.
The result is that the Maserati GranSport has a Cx of 0.33, one of the very best in its category. An almost total absence of oversteer and improved front-wheel drivability and precision make it very easy to handle too and ensure that drivers will be able to really put it and themselves through their paces in complete safety. Work on the new model's aerodynamics has led to the addition of new bumpers. The front one, in fact, has a very pronounced lower spoiler wîth side bars elegantly integrated into the body itself, while the luggage compartment deck has been given a discreet yet equally efficient spoiler lip.
The new aerodynamic features associated wîth the fact that the set-up is now 10 mm lower, result in a two point improvement in the Cx value and translate into clear benefits for the driver. In fact, the Maserati GranSport offers a truly blistering drive, thanks to its direct, precise §teering and excellent stability at high speeds.
The traditional Trident elegance is there too in the classic chrome grille reminiscent of the Quattroporte's. The grilles over the air vents on the rear bumper are chrome too. The Maserati GranSport's sporty look is completed by new 19' wheels inspired by the ones sported by the cars in the Maserati Trofeo Championship, wîth spokes forming a very attractive Trident.
Interior
The GranSport's interior reflects its brilliant personality both in terms of aesthetics and functionality, yet also exudes the elegant good taste and luxurious comfort of a Trident Grand Tourer.
The dashboard, body-hugging seats, tunnel, thick-rimmed §teering wheel, impressive materials (leather, carbon fibre, alloy, high tech fabric) all combine to create an attractively sporty ambience too.
The Maserati GranSport's dashboard boasts excellent specialist trim and central console options. The upper part of the dash is trimmed in leather, while the central area, framed by the car-coloured piping strip, is trimmed in a special high tech fabric originally developed for nautical use and available in Nero (Black), Grigio Nickel (Nickel Grey) or Blu Metal (Metal Blue). This is a double layered material which is not only very attractive but also non-slip and extremely hard-wearing, making it ideal for trimming the central area of sports seats and the lower rim of the §teering wheel.
The front seats are designed for high lateral containment, and guarantee maximum driver contact wîth the car for perfect control. They were developed wîth the help of the Maserati test drivers in line wîth the strictest ergonomic principles wîth the aim of combining sporty characteristics and excellent seat comfort for perfect, long distance driving. This is why the seats are also fully power adjustable and can, on request, be supplied wîth a heating option and memorised settings on the driver's side.
The carbon, leather-trimmed tunnel separates the two front seats. It contains the Cambiocorsa control selector and the secondary commands, each one of which is set into an elegant chrome surround.
The main control buttons, including the blue Start button, on the other hand, are grouped together on the central console near the driver.
The climate control and CD player buttons are also set in a carbon feature on the central console.
Any driver lucky enough to get his hands on the three-spoke §teering wheel of the Maserati GranSport will appreciate the work that has been done to mould the rim (trimmed in perforated leather, carbon and technical fabric) to offer improved ergonomic grip. All of the car's functions are arranged on the instrument binnacle which boasts sporty white graphics on a Maserati navy blue background.Source - Maserati
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| Brembo high-performance braking systems are always at the top of the wish lists of German motoring enthusiasts. Once again, surveys from readers of the magazines 'Motorrad', 'Auto Motor und Sport' and 'Auto Bild' have honored Brembo with the award 'Best Brand 2013' for braking systems. 'Motorrad' is Europe's biggest motorcycle magazine dedicated to motorcycle enthusiasts. Its readers have named Brembo for the seventh consecutive year, as their favorite brand among brake pad manufacturers. Th...[Read more...] | |
| INTRODUCING THE WORLD-FIRST PRODUCTION VERSION OF THE VOLVO S60 POLESTAR | |
 | Developed from 17 years of motorsport experience, and sharing DNA with the 508bhp Volvo S60 Polestar Concept Car, the first road car from Polestar to be put into production is here - the Volvo S60 Polestar. 'We have built a car that we, as car enthusiasts, want to drive,' says Christian Dahl, Managing Director of Polestar. 'This is a driver's car, bringing out the very best of the already competent Volvo S60 chassis with our experience and technology from motorsport. 'We received a fantast...[Read more...] |
| The Champion in Touring Car Racing : The BMW M3 | |
 | In August 1985, a rumour surfaced in motor magazine Auto-Deutschland which emanated from a new sports car. An A Group Car from BMW that was a thoroughbred racing car according to the rules but was also to be produced in a version licensed to drive on open roads for everyday use. Speculation about this dream car that could take to normal roads and was intended for the 'Most dynamic among BMW 3 Series drivers' was right on target. But the pundits missed the mark about the motor-sport car by a mile...[Read more...] |
 2004
Maserati
models |
| Maserati MC12 Stradale |
| Maserati MMC GT |
| Maserati Quattroporte |
| Maserati Spyder |
| Similar Automakers | |
| Aston Martin | Bentley |
| Bugatti | Devon |
| Ferrari | GTA |
| Koenigsegg | Lamborghini |
| Lotus | Maybach |
| McLaren | Porsche |
| Rolls-Royce | Spyker |
| Tesla | |
| Similarly Sized Vehicles from 2004 |
| Acura NSX |
| Acura RL |
| Alfa Romeo 166 |
| Audi A4 |
| Audi A6 |
| Cadillac XLR |
| Chevrolet Equinox |
| Chevrolet Venture |
| Chrysler ME412 Concept |
| Dodge Dakota |
| Maserati: 2001-2010 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Maserati History |
| Other models by Maserati |
| Manufacturer Website |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| 2006 Barrett-Jackson - Scottsdale 2006 |
| 2005 Chicago Il |
| 2005 Cleveland OH |
| 2004 Geneva Switzerland |
| 2004 New York City, NY |
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| 150S 200 Si 228 250 250F | 300S 3500 GT 430 450 4CL | 5000 GT 6CM 8CM 8CTF A6 | Bi-Turbo Birdcage Bora Coupe Coupe / Spyder | Ghibli GranCabrio GranTurismo Indy Khamsin | MC12 Merak Mexico Mistral Quattroporte | Sebring |
| 2005 Coupe |
