History of the Maserati Gran Turismo
History of the Maserati GranTurismo
Maserati has one of the most storied histories in the automotive industry. The original automaker was started by five brothers, Alfieri, Bindo, Carlo, Ettore, and Ernesto Maserati. Each brother brought his own automotive expertise to the table, but Alfieri, Bindo, and Ernesto got their start building Grand Prix cars for another Italian car-maker. The Maserati operation changed hands over the next several years and eventually left the racing world. However, the brand has almost always been associated with high-performance luxury vehicles since then. The Maserati GranTurismo, in production from 2007 until 2019, was the manufacturer’s rolling homage to that legacy.
READ MORE: What’s New for the 2023 Maserati Quattroporte?
Paying Respect to Maserati History
There is really only one place to unveil a new Maserati platform, the Geneva Motor Show. That’s exactly what Maserati did when it showed off the GranTurismo to the world for the first time. Nobody was ever going to accuse a Maserati vehicle of being underpowered. The GranTurismo concept vehicle was sleek and powerful with a 4.2-litre, V-8 engine, developed in conjunction with Ferrari.
Continued Maserati GranTurismo Development
The GranTurismo was an almost instant hit with the automaker’s enthusiasts. Over the next several model years, Maserati built four more models before GranTurismo production was ended.
GranTurismo S (2008-2012)
Maserati didn’t waste any time building on the success demonstrated by the original GranTurismo platform. The S version employed a larger V-8 engine, boosting output from 399 horsepower to 434 horsepower. Additionally, the engineers improved the touring car’s weight distribution to 47 percent in the front and 53 percent in the rear. Drivers could expect the GranTurismo S to achieve a top speed of 295 km/h.
GranTurismo MC Sport Line (2009-2019)
The Maserati GranTurismo MC Sport Line was a variant of the MC model developed for professional racing circuits. Some of the changes made to the MC Sport Line versus the original concept include:
- Front/rear carbon-fibre spoilers
- Carbon-fibre mirror housings
- 20-inch wheels
- Carbon-fibre interior elements
These accessories went on to be included with all GranTurismo variants and other Maserati vehicle platforms.
GranTurismo MC Stradale (2011-2019)
A change came to the GranTurismo lineup in 2010, with the introduction of the MC Stradale variant. Maserati got rid of the 2+2 cabin and only offered the MC Stradale with two seats. It also picked up a 444-horsepower engine, shed 110 kg and improved aerodynamics. An available race mode allowed gear changes to happen in a little as 60 milliseconds. Maserati produced fewer than 500 of these versions.
What About the GranCabrio?
The GranCabrio (GranTurismo Convertible in North America) was the next logical iteration of the GranTurismo family. Buyers could feel the wind through their hair thanks to the retractable canvas roof. Also, the GranTurismo Convertible was the automaker’s first four-seat drop-top. When the Maserati convertible was properly equipped, owners could expect it to produce as much as 434 horsepower and 361 pound-feet of torque.
The future of Maserati vehicles is as exciting as any previous period in the manufacturer’s history. Stay up to date with the latest Maserati news by returning to our blog regularly. Even better, make an appointment to see what Maserati of Ottawa has to offer in our showroom, today.