Wound to the top of its rev range the GranTurismo’s V8 delivers a performance every bit as charismatic and spectacular as you’d expect. Against the clock, 100mph takes 13.0secs, the standing km 25.3secs, marginally quicker than a Mercedes CL500 but fractionally slower than a Jaguar XKR.
It’s at less heroic speeds that the GranTurismo falters. The V8 needs every last revolution to generate its power, with the Jag and Merc hitting hardest some 1000rpm sooner. This peaky delivery is compounded by a 1975kg kerb weight, meaning, off the line, the GT struggles.
A standard GranTurismo has fixed rate dampers, but our test car came fitted with the £1721 Skyhook suspension that adjusts automatically in response to driving style. The driver can manually set the car to a firmer damper setting by pressing a Sport button, which also adjusts the throttle response and traction control settings. Although not an exact match, a standard car will behave similarly to a Skyhook-equipped car set to Sport - so only spend the money if you want additional comfort.
We say this because for the most part the GranTurismo is impressively comfortable, the ride supple and a huge step forward over the jittery Quattroporte.
By placing the engine and gearbox between the axles Maserati has given the GranTurismo an agility that belies its mass. Although in the extreme the GranTurismo’s natural tendency is to understeer, at a more relaxed pace the big GT adopts a neutral poise true to its sporting pedigree. Once committed to a corner the Maserati feels planted and alive with information. As a car to be driven briskly, and in which to mix progress with occasion, the GranTurismo is mission accomplished.
The steering, though, is a weak point. The accuracy is there, and there is moderate, inconsistent feel, but the weighting is all wrong. At parking speeds it is arguably too heavy, at 20-40mph just about right, but any faster and there is too much assistance.