Skip advert
Advertisement

Maserati GranTurismo S

The stunning Italian coupe is celebrating its birthday with a host of sporty upgrades.

Overall Auto Express rating

4.0

How we review cars
Find your Maserati GranTurismo
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

The S sounds harder and goes faster than the standard car, without sacrificing much in the way of comfort. It also looks the part, thanks to a range of well judged styling tweaks, and has one of the fastest-shifting gearboxes around. At £89,900 it’s pricey, but this hugely desirable sports coupé doesn’t disappoint.

Advertisement - Article continues below

If the latest Lamborghini is one of the world’s ultimate supercars, local rival Maserati produces one of the best luxury coupés. The gorgeous GranTurismo has been on sale for a year now, and to mark its first anniversary, the company has launched a new S version.

It costs a hefty £11,250 more than the standard car, but extra power, a hi-tech automated gearbox and various styling tweaks show where the money has been spent.

On the outside, bespoke 20-inch alloy wheels are the most obvious change, but the S also comes with black headlamp surrounds, new side skirts and a pronounced lip added to the bootlid. Twin oval exhausts also give a clue to the extra performance available, while new seats covered in leather and Alcantara feature inside.

The biggest changes are reserved for the engine and gearbox. Under the bonnet there’s a new 4.7-litre V8 instead of the 4.2-litre unit found in the standard car. It produces 434bhp – a 35bhp increase – and an impressive 490Nm of torque.

That’s enough to blast the S from 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds and to a top speed of 183mph, making this the fastest mainstream production model Maserati has ever made.

The firm’s clever automated manual is the only gearbox option which is available, and this has been improved, too. Choose Sport mode, and the paddleshift set-up can swap ratios in 100 milliseconds. This setting also sharpens throttle response and opens a bypass valve in the exhaust, which gives the S a much louder bark to match its fiercer bite. As a result, the car drives and sounds like a proper sports GT.

The racy new soundtrack and pulsating power delivery, plus suspension that has been lowered by 10 per cent, make it even better on the road than before.

Ride comfort is still acceptable, and with the Sport mode disengaged, the engine note is as subdued as it is in the standard car – so the GranTurismo’s long-distance ability remains intact.

Flaws are few, but the worst offenders are the numb steering and hard seats. Then there’s the price. The new S isn’t cheap, but this charismatic model is set to become the automatic choice for buyers who want a manual version of Maserati’s coupé masterpiece.

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Volkswagen Golf

Volkswagen Golf

RRP £24,405Avg. savings £2,749 off RRP*Used from £12,150
Toyota Yaris Cross

Toyota Yaris Cross

RRP £26,155Avg. savings £2,019 off RRP*Used from £15,299
Hyundai Tucson

Hyundai Tucson

RRP £29,540Avg. savings £3,974 off RRP*Used from £15,615
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,060Avg. savings £1,844 off RRP*Used from £8,600
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS Estate is practical, hot-hatch quick and only £284 per month
Skoda Octavia vRS estate - front tracking

Car Deal of the Day: Skoda Octavia vRS Estate is practical, hot-hatch quick and only £284 per month

Our Deal of the Day for 26 January offers space for all the family and loads of power for when you’re not on the school run
News
26 Jan 2025
Tesla Model 3 alternatives: Six sleek electric cars you could buy instead
Tesla Model 3 alternatives - header image

Tesla Model 3 alternatives: Six sleek electric cars you could buy instead

Bored of seeing Tesla Model 3s everywhere? Sickened by Elon Musk’s antics? Here are the best new and used EV alternatives
Features
28 Jan 2025
New Fiat Grande Panda: UK prices, specs and full details
Fiat Grande Panda - front static

New Fiat Grande Panda: UK prices, specs and full details

The new Grande Panda will cost from under £19,000 in hybrid form
News
28 Jan 2025