Yes, the Gransport/4200 WILL be replaced by the Granturismo in 2007 Presentation will be in March. Sorry, I believe you were asking a different question, but I couldn't quite figure it out. Are you asking for the replacement of the Granturismo? Or when the Granturismo relieved the Gransport?
LoooL sorry my bad, I thought the Granturismo was a seperate model/product line than the Gransport/4200? I just didn't see how the Granturismo could have have been the replacement for the Gransport/4200 line, maybe its just me but the Gransports I thought were the 430 Scuds whereas the Granturismo was the 599 of the range. S
I don't consider the Granturisimo a replacement to the Gransport either. I think the big problem was Maserati is looking to gain some of the, bentley, and larger model mercedes/BMW market. so they went that route.
From what I read/ heard Maserati will *never* again offer a Gransport-type car. Why? Too close for comfort for Ferrari. The last Gransport was more of a 'brother' to a Ferrari 430 than a distant cousin. The new GT is more of a GT/ Cruiser (nothing wrong with that) vs. something more performance oriented.
Now I see what you meant I hope you weren't offended by my answer, but I didn't read into your question what you explained in your next post. Now your question makes a lot of sense to me.
If thats true its extremely sad news, the heritage of the Shamal, Ghibili 2, 3200, 4200, Gransport was something I expected to continue, high-performance 2 door sports cars with Italian style and class without the celebrity surrounding its brother brand (which I love too btw). I know the Granturismo has its fans but it just doesn't cut it with me imHo as far as a Gransport successor is concerned. S
Much was made in the press in 2007 and 2008 of another, smaller model to be introduced to the line up sometime after the arrival of the GT convertible. However, since the economic meltdown, all talk of that smaller model has dissapeared. IMHO it will not become a reality.
I haven't seen the press on the smaller model. I understand the proposed new convertible will be a 2+2. Was a 2 seat spyder planned? Jon
+1. There was a tremendous amount of talk around that time that Maserati would be a three model company. (Quattroporte, GranTurismo, ??) Radio silence since...about when? two or three CEO's ago.
The 4200 series cars, including the Gransport, are all grand touring cars just like the Gran Tourismo I've never seen that sort of speculation from a reliable source. Ferrari hasn't had input in Maserati's decisions for a number of years now. Any links that back up what you have read/heard? I would argue that even "distant cousin" is quite a stretch. The 4200 series cars have absolutely nothing in common with the Ferrari 430 other than a basic engine design that is shared with Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and Ferrari. Heck even the final engine designs are different enough that most can't even see the shared part. There really is no crossover from a front-engine grand tourer (Maserati 4200) and a mid-engine sports car (Ferrari 430).
