Quick review: GranTurismo Convertible test drive

[Bcube]

Here are the Highlights:
(BTW, my last Maserati test drive was in the then-new 2008 GranTurismo)

Engine:
First time I drove the 4.7 liter. I am glad Maserati didn’t muck around with the 4.2 in this car due to the increased weight (manuf claimed curb weight: 4,365 lbs.) Plenty of “pushes you back into the seat” punch.

Exhaust:
The Maserati current and IMHO World Standard. Better than anyone, with possible exception of Aston Martin. With the valves open and top down, there is awesome and soulful sound that envelope you. But I am glad the sound can be muted by switching out of “Sport” mode for top up freeway cruising.

Interior:
The passenger dash and both door panels do not have the airbag cut-outs like the 2008 GT. Everything smoothly flows. Top up: there is a ton of headroom up front, but the back seat suffers tremendously due to the slope of the top as it transverses back to the rear deck. I’m tall, so the rear seats are now as useless to me as the rear seats in a MB CLS550. The front seats, while comfortable, need larger side bolsters to keep from sliding in turns.

Trunk:
I am on my third convertible; two ragtops and a folding hardtop. Not to mention over 30 years on having to pack light on trips with motorcycles; some with tank bags, tail bags, and side bags. I was shocked on how little trunk space.

Automatic Transmission:
For this short trip, the impression was one of excellent programming. Automatic mode was smooth during shifts, and man-u-matic mode was very responsive. As always, the paddle position is intuitive. Every other manufacturer need to get over their “not-invented-here” cultures and just copy the Ferrari/Maserati setup.

Cowl shake:
Greatly reduced and very acceptable. Maybe not as shimmy free as my BMW E93 convertible, but then my bimmer doesn’t ride on 20” inch rubber bands either. I asked the salesperson that I wanted to find rough pavement – the normal route they take you on is on smooth as glass pavement. We did find an industrial area with tar strips and slightly uneven broken concrete, and I was intentionally running over manhole covers. There were no railroad track crossings in the area though.

Price:
I drove the bare bones Convertible; non-metallic black on black. MSRP was $138K. Another GT Vert in the showroom was nicely optioned with a $146K price tag. The option list included the windstop and a wood trim steering wheel ($1,396!!!)

Overall:
Notwithstanding the “cheaper” price, I enjoyed my brief stint in this car much more than the Ferrari California I drove a few months back. The signed check would go to the GranTurismo Convertible.

[MediaArtist]

Too. Much. Weight.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by MediaArtist

Too. Much. Weight.

Thats why its name isnt SportsSpyder, Its Grand Touring


How about some top down pics?

[MediaArtist]

Fair enough, I'm just surprised this thing weighs almost as much as my truck.

[BrokenVert]

Originally Posted by MediaArtist

Fair enough, I'm just surprised this thing weighs almost as much as my truck.

Well it weighs the same as an M3 vert

[Bcube]

The Class the Maserati competes in:

From the various Manufacturer's websites:
Bentley GTC; curb weight: 5650 lbs
AM DB9 Volante: curb weight: 4,090 lbs.
BMW M6 Conv: unladen weight: 4398 lbs

Plus the Maserati GT Convertible has full size rear seats - more back seat room than the E90 or the others on the above list.

[Bcube]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Thats why its name isnt SportsSpyder, Its Grand Touring


How about some top down pics?

You will have to check the web for better pics. The only top down shot I have is from the launch party a few months back.

[MediaArtist]

Originally Posted by BrokenVert

Well it weighs the same as an M3 vert

That's another porky car as well.

[BMWGator]

Not a fan. Like the coupe much better.

[BMW269]

IMO
Gran Tourismo = most beautiful coupé in the world
Gran Cabrio = most beautiful convertible in the world

[Maseroche]

Agree on this being much better looking than the Cali comment!

[blue2fire]

Still looks Gorgeous. Best looking car in the world for me after the Alfa 8C, Brera and DB9.

But, the many vents on the fenders remind me of a Buick. No idea who did it first but Maserati should stop.