MASERATI GRANTURISMO COUPE 3.0 V6 2dr Auto

Maserati's GranTurismo luxury sports GT comes in two very different forms in second generation guise. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

Maserati says a fresh chapter in its history begins with this second generation GranTurismo coupe. It still comes with charismatic combustion power, but now there's also the option of a full-electric Folgore version which will open up an entirely new market for the company. This GranTurismo is what Maserati calls 'the pillar of its brand'. It just got a whole lot more desirable.

Background

You have to turn the clock back seventy five years to Maserati's A6 1500 to find a more radically different change of brand direction than is represented by this Italian marque's second generation GranTurismo. It may look familiar but just about everything you can't see is very different. As was necessary if this car was to be offered with a futuristic full-electric drivetrain. You don't have to have it like that; brand loyalists will prefer versions fitted with the V6 Nettuno petrol engine we first saw in the MC20 supercar. But either way, we're promised that this second generation model will drive - and even sound - like a Maserati should. Different then, but classically familiar. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

Maserati wasn't ready to ditch combustion power for this GranTurismo. Particularly when it has a state-of-the-art 3.0-litre twin turbo Nettuno V6 engine on its books which features F1-inspired pre-chamber combustion technology. In its car's fastest Trofeo model, this offers 550hp (71hp less than the same engine puts out in the brand's MC20 supercar), which makes possible 62mph from rest in just 3.5s. Top speed is 205mph. The same engine also comes in de-tuned 490hp form in an entry-level Modena model. There, 62mph takes 3.9s en route to 187mph. The fastest GranTurismo though, doesn't have an engine; the Folgore version (Italian for 'lightning') uses a T-shaped 92.5kWh battery powering three electric motors on the front axle and two at the rear. Which together deliver 761hp and thrust the car to 62mph in just 2.7s en route to 202mph. Both powertrains feature Maserati's latest 'Vehicle Domain Control Module' (VDCM), which adjusts the level of electronic support provided according to the drive mode selected. The main settings are 'GT', 'Sport' and 'Corsa': on the Folgore, the V6 variant's 'Comfort' setting replaced by 'Max Range'. Maserati's spent ages creating a powertrain sound system that works with these settings. Particularly for the electric version, which delivers a unique soundtrack supposed to be a fusion of electric whirrs coupled with a V8 roar.

Design and Build

Maserati says the look of this car was inspired by its classic A6 GCS/53 Grand Tourer, but there's plenty here that also draws from the present. Notably, the clamshell bonnet, the sculpted front wings and the vertically arranged headlights, all cues we've seen in the company's two most recent designs, the Grecale SUV and the MC20 supercar. As before, this GranTurismo has muscular rear wheel arches and a long two-door silhouette with a low flowing roof line. The slim LED rear light units are pure Maserati too, as of course is the oval-shaped grille with its central Trident badge. Differences between the V6 and EV models are minor - a subtly revised front bumper and, for the V6, quad tail pipes at the rear. Inside, the GranTurismo has moved into a very different age. There's a 12.2-inch digital instrument cluster and a pair of screens in the centre of the fascia, the top 12.3-inch one for infotainment and the lower 8.8-inch panel for comfort features. Disappointingly, the old analogue clock that used to decorate the middle of the dash is gone, replaced by a digital display with interchangeable faces. But Maserati still continues with physical buttons to control the automatic gearbox. As befits a GT, there are (just about) usable rear seats. And a decent 310-litre boot (up from 280-litres in the old model) - which is significantly smaller with the EV version (which offers 270-litres) due to space given up to the pair of rear axle motors. The GranCabrio Trofeo has only 172-litres of capacity, falling to 151-litres with the Folgore.

Market and Model

You'll need to allow a budget of around £133,000 for the entry-level 490hp GranTurismo V6 Modena, with a big chunk extra (around £164,000) needed for the more potent 550hp V6 Trofeo variant. If you want the GranTurismo Folgore all-electric model, then you're going to need to think in terms of a £180,000 budget. For the GranCabrio, prices start with the V6 Trofeo at around £170,000, with the Folgore variant at around £188,000. Of course you get plenty of equipment, with features like sumptuous Italian leather upholstery, a digital rear view mirror and a 360-degree surround view camera system. There's also a glorious Sonus faber 3D sound system offering 'an all-round sound experience' with two levels of customisation, featuring up to 19 speakers and 3D sound with a thumping output of up to 1,195-watts. Drive assist tech includes adaptive cruise control with lane centring and autonomous emergency braking, which also works when reversing. Alexa integration is built into the central 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, which also includes the brand's voice-activated 'Maserati Intelligent Assistant' and has over-the-air update capability, plus wireless 'Apple CarPlay' and 'Android Auto' smartphone-mirroring. A configurable head-up display is optional.

Cost of Ownership

You're going to have to pay for the pleasure at the pumps of course. We'd expect the fuel economy figures for the V6 versions to be very similar to those of the MC20. For the GranTurismo Trofeo, Maserati quotes a combined cycle figure of 28.2mpg - and 227g/km of CO2; good luck with that. But all of this is par for the course for a V6 GT luxury Coupe in this segment. And you should cheer up a bit when it comes to considering residuals, which should be very solid indeed given this car's extreme rarity. Of course, if you really cared about efficiency, then you'd opt for the all-electric Folgore version. The 92.5kWh battery (just 83kWh of which is actually usable) can be charged at speeds of up to 270kW, making the GranTurismo in this form one of the fastest-charging EVs on sale. At an appropriately powerful ultra-fast public charger, up to 62 miles of range can be added in just five minutes thanks to the car's 800-volt electrical architecture. The GranTurismo Folgore's claimed driving range is up to 279 miles, though for that you'll need to be easy on the throttle and make plenty of use of the car's four brake regeneration settings, accessed via steering wheel paddle-shifters. You'll also need to engage the Folgore's 'Max Range' drive mode, which limits top speed to 80mph, softens throttle response and restricts climate system output. Folgore owners have access to a charging app loaded with a database of over 335,000 charging points around Europe. Sadly, Maserati plans to ditch combustion engines completely by 2030.

Summary

'Others just travel' is the way Maserati likes to differentiate itself in this new era. Yes you can go as fast, charge as quickly or enjoy as much luxury in a comparably priced GT sports car rival. But a journey in a Maserati is more of an event. And ownership of one a unique automotive aspiration. We can see why you might feel that way about using and acquiring this second generation GranTurismo. Maserati has taken its time deciding how a full-electric future should be translated into Maserati motion and the result here should feel opulent and elegantly exclusive. Ultimately though, there still nothing quite like the alternative throbbing V6 that better encapsulates what this enduring Trident brand is all about. Our automotive lives are going to change over the next few years, but some things should stay the same. This GranTurismo is proof that Maserati understands that.

Body Glass

Anti pinch sensor for windows

Rain sensor

Heated windscreen washer nozzles

Laminated front glass with high thermal and noise insulation

Electric front windows

Brakes

Vehicle domain control module (VDCM)

Electronic parking brake

Maserati stability programme (MSP)

High performance braking system

Carpets/Rugs

Front and rear floor mats

Chassis/Suspension

Double wishbone suspension with semi-virtual steering axis and multilink rear suspension

Air suspension with electronically variable active damping control system

Communication

Bluetooth

Apple car play and Android auto

Maserati connect

Wi-Fi hotspot

TBM (Telematic Box Module) for Connectivity

Voice control system

Cyber security gateway

Driver Aids

Forward collision warning

Front and rear parking sensors with rear active braking

Electronic Power Steering (EPS)

Drive mode selector: Comfort mode, GT mode, Sport mode with launch control

Driver Convenience

Start and stop engine function

Wireless charger

Driver Information

12.3" HD touch screen central display with Maserati Intelligent Assistant (M.I.A) and satelite navigation, Android Automotive OS

Connectivity Services (Europe)

8.8" multifunction comfort display with smart gestures (controls for front/rear climate, seats, headlights, ambient lighting, clock & air suspension)

12.2" full TFT digital colour display cluster with onboard computer and driver information

Engine emission level default

e-Call (emergency call)

Entertainment

2 USB ports (A and C) and 12v socket in front cabin

2 USB ports (A and C) in rear cabin

Digital Audio Broadcast (DAB)

Exterior Body Features

Active aerodynamics (Air shutter control)

Body coloured side skirts

Classic front bumper, rear bumper and diffuser

Silver tailpipes

Rear boot

Front grille surround frame, side air vents, door handle inserts, Maserati script on boot lid in satin chrome

Trident logo on c-pillar in gloss black

Side airvent inserts, door handle inserts Maserati script and blade on boot lid in satin chrome

Lower fascia in gloss black

Exterior Lights

LED daytime running lights

Full LED tail lamps

LED front turn indicators

Automatic headlight activation with dusk sensor

Proximity sensor with welcome lighting

LED 3rd brake light

Front door puddle lamps

Heating/Cooling/Ventilation

Rear seats air ducts

Two zone automatic climate control with humidity sensor

Interior Features

Two front and two rear cupholders

Driver and passenger sunvisors

Maserati digital smart clock on dashboard

Aluminium gear shift paddles

Rear seats with load through ski hatch

Power height and reach adjustable steering column

Dashboard glovebox with valet lock

Interior Lights

Ambient lighting on dashboard, door panels, front storage and front footwells

Safety

Driver and passenger side airbags

Driver and passenger head airbags

Front seatbelt reminder

Dual stage driver/passenger airbags

Tyre pressure monitoring system

Front passenger airbag deactivation

Automated emergency braking with pedestrian recognition

Seats

Heated front seats

Single front passenger seat

2 individual seats in 2nd row

Rear head restraints

Isofix rear child seat attachments with hook covers

Front head restraints

18-way power front sport seats with drivers memory function

Security

Wearable key

Premium alarm system (perimeter and volumetric sensing, anti-lift device, electronic immobiliser)

Keyless entry, keyless go and easy entry

2nd key fob

Vodafone stolen vehicle recovery with automatic driver recognition and remote inhibition

E-latch opening system

Keyless entry via smartphone

Transmission

Maserati all wheel drive system

Wheels - Spare

Fix and go tyre sealing compound and electric air compressor

Emissions - ICE

Particles: N

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEL: 225

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Comb - TEH: 228

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEH: 203

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Extra High - TEL: 201

Standard Euro Emissions: EURO 6

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEH: 191

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - High - TEL: 188

HC+NOx: N

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEH: 237

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEL: 362

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Medium - TEL: 234

WLTP - CO2 (g/km) - Low - TEH: 367

Engine and Drive Train

Cylinders - Bore (mm): 88

Cylinders: 6

Cylinder Layout: V6

Number of Valves: 24

Camshaft: DOHC

Fuel Delivery: TWIN TURBO

Catalytic Convertor: No

Engine Layout: MID ENGINE NORTH SOUTH

Compression Ratio: 11.0:1

Transmission: SEMI-AUTO

Gears: 8 SPEED

CC: 2992

Cylinders - Stroke (mm): 82

Fuel Consumption - ICE

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEH: 17.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEL: 16

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEH: 10.1

EC Directive 1999/100/EC Applies: 0

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Comb - TEL: 9.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEH: 8.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Extra High - TEL: 8.9

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEH: 8.4

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - High - TEL: 8.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEH: 10.5

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Medium - TEL: 10.3

WLTP - FC (l/100km) - Low - TEH: 16.2

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEH: 27.9

WLTP - MPG - Comb - TEL: 28.5

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEH: 31.7

WLTP - MPG - Extra High - TEL: 31.7

WLTP - MPG - High - TEH: 33.6

WLTP - MPG - High - TEL: 34

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEH: 26.9

WLTP - MPG - Medium - TEL: 27.4

WLTP - MPG - Low - TEL: 17.6

General

NCAP Overall Rating - Effective February 09: N

NCAP Safety Assist %: N

NCAP Child Occupant Protection %: N

NCAP Pedestrian Protection %: N

Alternative Fuel Qualifying: 0

Badge Power: 490

Badge Engine CC: 3.0

Vehicle Homologation Class: M1

Generation Mark: 1

Insurance Group 1 - 50 Effective January 07: N

NCAP Adult Occupant Protection %: N

Coin Description: V6

Coin Series: N

Did at least one aspect of this vehicle's safety give cause for concern?: 0

Special Edition: 0

Special Order: 0

Based On ID: N

Performance

0 to 62 mph (secs): 3.9

Top Speed: 188

Engine Power - BHP: 490

Engine Power - PS: No

0 to 60 mph (secs): 0

Engine Power - KW: 360

Engine Power - RPM: 6500

Engine Torque - LBS.FT: 443

Engine Torque - NM: 600

Engine Torque - MKG: 61.2

Engine Torque - RPM: 3000

Test Cycles

RDE Certification Level: RDE 2

Emissions Test Cycle: WLTP

Tyres

Tyre Size Front: 265/30 R20

Alloys?: No

Space Saver?: 0

Wheel Style: CRIO

Wheel Type: 20" ALLOY

Tyre Size Spare: TYRE REPAIR KIT

Tyre Size Rear: 295/30 R21

Vehicle Dimensions

Width (including mirrors): 2113

Height: 1353

Height (including roof rails): N

Width: 1957

Length: 4959

Wheelbase: 2929

Weight and Capacities

Minimum Kerbweight: 1795

Turning Circle - Kerb to Kerb: 12.4

Luggage Capacity (Seats Down): N

Max. Roof Load: N

Fuel Tank Capacity (Litres): 70

Luggage Capacity (Seats Up): 310

No. of Seats: 4

Body Glass

Rear privacy glass

Brakes

Red painted brake calipers

Black painted brake calipers

Blue brake calipers

Yellow painted brake calipers

Anodised red painted brake calipers

Fuoriserie - Lime brake calipers

Fuoriserie - Orange brake calipers

Fuoriserie - White brake calipers

Embellishment Trims

3D carbon fibre trim

High gloss carbon macrotwill trim

High gloss carbon fibre with copper thread trim for selected interior details

Entertainment

Sonus Faber high premium 1195 W surround system with 19 speakers

Exterior Body Features

Mica paint

Special metallic paint

Additional metallic paint

Matte paint

Additional mica paint

Fuoriserie - Metallic paint

Fuoriserie - Solid paint

Fuoriserie - Matte paint

Fuoriserie - Special metallic paint

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint

Special mica paint

Fuoriserie - Additional metallic paint

Fuoriserie - Additional Matte paint

Model badge removal

Fuoriserie - Additional three coat paint

Fuoriserie - Quadri coat paint

Fuoriserie liveries - Tipo 151

Fuoriserie liveries - Birdcage

Fuoriserie liveries - Double stripes

Fuoriserie liveries - New modena

Fuoriserie liveries - Double twill

Fuoriserie liveries - New birdcage

Fuoriserie liveries - Race number white

Fuoriserie liveries - Race number black

Fuoriserie liveries - Triple and number

Matte Tricoat paint

Premium mica paint

Exterior Lights

Full LED Matrix headlights in dark finish with adaptive high/low Beam (ADB), Static Bending Light (SBL)

Interior Features

Cigarette lighter

Trident stitching on headrest

Rooflining in Alcantara along with pillars and sun visors

Additional leather upholstery

Fuoriserie - Full grain leather upholstery

Fuoriserie - Additional full grain leather upholstery

Leather upholstery with stitching

Additional full grain premium leather upholstery with perforated seat squab and backrests

Packs

Advanced driver assistance pack 1 - Granturismo

Advanced driver assistance pack 2 - Granturismo

Comfort pack - Granturismo Modena

Sport design pack - Granturismo Modena

Tech assistance pack - Granturismo

Paint - Metallic

Metallic paint - Bianco Astro

Metallic paint - Night interaction

Metallic paint - Grigio Maratea

Paint - Mica

Mica - Blu emozione

Paint - Special

Fuoriserie - Special solid paint - Vintage ochre

Fuoriserie - Special solid paint - Orange glow

Fuoriserie - Special solid paint - Hypergreen

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Grigio Cangiante

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Rosso GranTurismo

Fuoriserie - Special Metallic paint - Blu victory

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Giallo corse

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Aquamarina

Fuoriserie - Matte paint - Digital mint

Fuoriserie - Matte paint - Azzuro astro

Fuoriserie - Matte paint - Military teal

Matte paint - Grigio maratea

Fuoriserie - Matte paint - Blu corse

Fuoriserie - Matte paint - Grigio lamiera

Fuoriserie - Matte paint - Digital aurora

Fuoriserie - Special metallic paint - Liquid rose gold

Fuoriserie - Special metallic paint - Blu maserati

Fuoriserie - Special metallic paint - Blu graphite

Fuoriserie - Special metallic paint - Urban green

Fuoriserie - Special metallic paint - Orange zest

Fuoriserie - Special metallic paint - Blu royale

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Azzurro astro glossy

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Galactic orange

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Gold venus

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Green jupiter

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Nero cometa glossy

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Dark aurora boreale

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Blu inchiostro

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Blu sofistitaco

Fuoriserie - Quadri coat paint - Blu nobile

Fuoriserie - Special solid paint - Bianco pastello

Fuoriserie - Special solid paint - Blu pastello

Matte Tricoat paint - Rame Folgore

Special metallic paint - Night interaction

Mica - Nero assoluto

Mica - Devil orange

Mica - Blu modena

Mica - Verde giada

Fuoriserie - Special Metallic paint - Bordeaux Pontevecchio

Fuoriserie - Special Metallic paint - Giallo Genio Glossy

Fuoriserie - Three coat paint - Verde smeraldo

Seats

Front seat ventilation

Trim - Leather

Leather - Black

Leather - Tan

Leather with stitching - Red

Fuoriserie - Full grain leather - Ice with grey headlining

Fuoriserie - Full grain leather - Ice with black headlining

Fuoriserie - Full grain leather - Black with grey stitching and black headlining

Fuoriserie - Full grain leather - Black with yellow stitching and black headlining

Fuoriserie - Full grain leather - Black with yellow stitching and grey headlining

Fuoriserie - Full grain leather - Black with red stitching and black headlining

Fuoriserie - Full grain leather - Black with red stitching and grey headlining

Fuoriserie - Full grain leather - Greige with black headlining, carpet and greige belts

Fuoriserie - Full grain leather - Greige with greige headlining, carpet and belts

Fuoriserie - Full grain leather - Greige with greige headlining, black carpet and belts

Full grain premium leather - Black with campidoglio stitching

Full grain premium leather - Tan with campidoglio stitching

Wheels - Alloy

20" front / 21" rear Pegaso design full forged wheels with black gloss finish

20" front / 21" rear Pegaso design full forged wheels with diamond cut black gloss finish

Fuoriserie - 20" front / 21" rear Astreo design forged twilight blue wheels with C class tyres

20" front / 21" rear Astreo design matte dark myron with C class tyres

20" front / 21" rear Astreo design gloss dark myron with C class tyres