The recent spike in the COE for big cars suggests that there are still people with cash to spare. The Maserati GranTurismo starts at $435,000 for the 4.2. It is obviously no chum change but it buys you an Aston Martin DBS-matching level of presence - and the James Bond car costs a full million bucks and then some.
If there was anything wrong with the Maserati launched in 2007, it was the engine. The 4.2-litre V8 always felt a little burdened under the weight of the big four-seater.
Last year, Maserati came up with the 4.7-litre GranTurismo S. It was way more exciting but the semi-automatic gearbox and aggressive chassis setting were deemed a little too hardcore for the Maserati crowd.
The latest variant, the GranTurismo S Automatic, has been launched here and it is the in-between model which combines the best of the 4.2 with the hot GranTurismo S.
Under the bonnet is a 440bhp 4.7-litre V8 but instead of the F1-style semi- automatic gearbox, it has a "proper" automatic which is smoother while being quick-acting enough to feel sporty.
MASERATI GRANTURISMO S (A)
Engine: 4,691cc 32-valve V8 Transmission: Six-speed automatic with manual select Power: 440bhp @ 7000rpm Torque: 490Nm @ 4750Nm 0-100 kmh: 5 secs Top speed: 295kmh Fuel consumption: 6.6km/litre (combined) Price: $465,000 with COE Distributor: Hong Seh Motors
The suspension is also more pliant than the S, so overall the car is more relaxed for long-distance driving, at a relatively high speed if you so prefer.
Maserati has also been working on refining its build quality. The test cars at Modena not only feel more solid than the 4.2 sampled in 2007 but little tweaks such as the new upholstery options and upgraded passenger airbag module also add up to make the GranTurismo an even more attractive and complete car than before.
