2009 Maserati GranTurismo S

By Matthias Pfannmüller, Photo by John Lamm
Article file under http://autos.yahoo.com/auto-shows/
geneva_auto_show_2008/477/2009-Maserati-GranTurismo-S

One year after the GranTurismo coupe’s debut, it’s time to rev the car up a bit. The new GT S version can be recognized by its sinister alloy wheels and by its extra howl, coming from the exhaust pipes of the larger 4.7-liter V-8, up from the original 4.2 liters, which now packs a 440-bhp punch (up from 405).










Also new is an electro-actuated transaxle-mounted gearbox with sequential paddle shifters and an automatic clutch. The so-called MC-Shift system was adapted from Maserati’s exotic MC-12 mid-engine racer.

The GranTurismo S also benefits from new brakes, developed in conjunction with Brembo initially for the larger Quattroporte S sedan. The revised braking package feature front rotors made with a dualcast technology, which casts the units out of iron and aluminum. These discs are paired with aluminum mono-block calipers with six pistons.

The GranTurismo rides on a 115.9-in. wheelbase and is 192.3 in. in overall length. The GranTurismo’s sexy shape was created by the Italian design house of Pininfarina.

In addition to minor detail changes on the car’s body, the interior has been freshened with the use of Poltrona Frau leather and Alcantara inserts distinguished by horizontal piping on the seats and seatbacks.