Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

[Audi S8 1.681]

Maserati is serious about delivering spirited performance to go with its sexy Italian design.

The bark of the exhaust note, the chiseled aerodynamic looks and the massive wheels and brakes are signs that the 2012 MaseratiGranTurismo MC is serious about delivering spirited performance to go with its sexy Italian design.

The GranTurismo MC is different from its European counterpart, the MC Stradale, in that it retains a plusher 4-seat cabin. Yet beneath the skin, the cars share the same mechanicals, the 4.7-liter V-8 from the sport models with a slight bump in horsepower to 444 bhp and 376 lb.-ft. of torque. The 6-speed ZF transmission has been reworked to provide quicker shifts and throttle blips between gearchanges and also offers a wider range of modes that includes the ability for pure manual sequential shifts.

The single rate spring suspension has also been optimized for the car, providing a taut yet responsive ride. With its engine positioned behind the center line of the front axle, the GranTurismo MC has an amazing 49/51 front/rear weight bias without having to resort to a rear-mounted transaxle.

The looks of the MC are aggressive. The front chin spoiler is recessed, giving the snout a fuselage appearance around the grille opening. A lower character line runs over the wheel arches and there are widely stepped side skirts. At the rear, the car is distinguished by its twin round exhaust tips positioned slightly inboard and there is a new rear diffuser. An integrated lip spoiler on the rear deck increases downforce by 50 percent at 125 mph while the changes to the front fascia reduce lift by 25 percent.

Abundant Use of Carbon Fiber

The MC announces its sporting intent by using carbon fiber liberally to reduce weight and as a styling statement. Inside, the material is used to trim the dash and the paddle shifters, which are longer than the ones used in the standard model. Aluminum is the metal of choice for the larger accelerator and brake pedals. The sport seats are firmly bolstered with great lateral support.

Crank the key and the 4.7-liter V-8 starts with a sharp report, with the volume of the sound actually controlled by transmission settings. Keep the gearbox in its normal automatic mode and you’ll hear a rich, deep burble from the engine. Sport mode opens an exhaust bypass flap at engine speeds around 3000 rpm, while in the Sport Manual mode, the flap is always open. We chose the latter, not just for the great sound, but also for the control over the shifts.

In Manual Sport, the shifts happen quickly and the transmission will hold the gear up to redline where the engine will bump off the limiter rather than giving you the next cog up. It will, however, give you an automatic downshift when coming to a stop to avoid lugging the engine.

Out on the open road, the MC is nimble with good steering feedback. It feels quicker than the stock Maserati, with sharper turn-in. Engineers picked just about the perfect spring rate, there is little body lean in the corners, but even on irregular freeway surfaces, the rate is compliant enough to minimize hop. Overall, the car has the feel of a machine perfect for the gentleman racer, with the emphasis on gentleman. The car is a head-turner not just for its looks but also because of its exhaust note. Slated to go on sale this fall, the 2012 Maserati GranTurismo MC lists at $143,850—which is quite a bump over the standard GT S automatic coupe, which starts at $126,500, but when you factor in the equipment such as the MC Autoshift gearbox and other options like the single rate spring suspension, the standard coupe would net out at about $140,000. For just the looks alone, the MC certainly is worth the premium.

[Tommie 8.871]

BAM !

Wàt een kar ! Wat zou de sound daarvan zijn ?

[Audi S8 1.681]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZ-e-cAmt7o

Zo

[Tommie 8.871]

Djeezes.

Knapst klinkende krel van het moment. De Gran S daarvoor ook al, maar dit is weer een stapje verder.

[kefkie 2.323]

Rij impressie

http://www.autoweek.nl/video/2537/rij-impressie-maserati-granturismo-mc-stradale

[TCT 6.012]

Whoa !!! Los in de broek...

[Yoran 116]

Geef mij maar een gewone Granturismo S, dit is te

[Audi S8 1.681]

Klinkt zoveel beter dan een Ferrari V8 imo.

[Monterey Jack 5.058]