MASERATI GRANTURISMO TROFEO
We thought the electric GranTurismo was pretty impressive – but then we drove the hotter of the two V6 versions
Four hundred and sixty five kilos. That’s four rugby players, or three MotoGP bikes, or a horse. It’s also the weight difference be-tween the all-electric Folgore version of the new Maserati GranTurismo, as featured in February’s First Drives, and the car we're testing here. This is the Trofeo, the more powerful of the two V6 versions of the Gran- Turismo using the Nettuno engine that’s such an important part of the MC20.
Where the MC20 is a pure sports car, the GranTurismo is a serious effort to make a car that’s a GT in more than just name, a fast and luxurious car that’s still dynamically thrilling but capable of long, multi-occu-pant journeys – something that can hold its head high in the company of the Ferrari Roma, Mercedes SL and Porsche 911 Turbo.
It’s a good-looking piece of kit, the new GranTurismo, no doubt about that. Stance and proportions are spot-on, while the longer wheelbase compared to the last ver-sion allows the previously token rear seats to evolve into perfectly acceptable short-dis-tance accommodation. The gaping trade-mark grille shouts Maserati from a distance, the front and rear light signature is MC20 but with a twist, and there are plenty of neat details to be discovered, like the reimagined clock in the now fully digital instrument panel, and plenty of embossed, embroidered and electronically animated trident logos.
The old Ferrari-sourced V8 is fondly re-membered, but Maserati insists the Nettu-no is not only smaller and lighter – allowing a lower centre of gravity and 52:48 front-rear weight distribution – it’s also both more economical and brings better performance (although Maserati is being rather reluctant to share the fuel economy figures, from which you will draw your own conclusions).
The platform – shared by all three Gran- Turismos: the electric Folgore and the V6 Trofeo and Modena – is new. In so far as compromises have had to be made, they’ve been made in favour of the petrol cars. That means the Folgore doesn’t benefit from the low centre of gravity that comes from an EV-only skateboard chassis.
