How much power does the GT-S really have?

Several European magazines have tested the GT-S in recent months, and the results are the following:

0-62 mph between 4.5 and 4.8s
0-100 mph between 9.6 and 10.3s
1/4 mile between 12.6 and 13.0s.

Weight 2016 kg with a full tank, driver and instrumentation on board. This would mean 2016/440=4.55 kg/HP. Digging through all the Gransport test drives I could find, the GS had a weight of 1675 kg and 400 HP, hence 4.19 kg/HP. This means that the Gransport had a BETTER power/weight ratio than the Granturismo S, but its acceleration times were not as fast.

The Granturismo S posts acceleration figures that are similar to the old Porsche 996 Turbo (1615 kg, 420 HP, 3.845 kg/HP) and also very similar to the old Ferrari 550 Maranello (1800 Kg with driver and a full tank, 485 HP, 3.711 kg/HP). Given the enormous progress made in launch control electronics and the super-fast gearbox of the Granturismo S, launch control alone (which helps on the 0-60) does not justify the sustained acceleration of the GT-S at higher speeds. I have come to the conclusion that the Granturismo S has a real power/weight ratio far better than the official figures suggest. I put the real number at around 4 kg/HP, which would equate to a real power output of about 500 HP.

My personal impressions driving a well run-in car (it had about 10,000 miles on the clock) would confirm the above theory.

Now, I am sure (as some Maserati engineers have "confessed" to me) that the 4.7 L V8 could do much better than a paltry 440 HP. And 500 HP sounds just about right for this car.

It is depressing to see that once again a Maserati is stifled in its "bragging rights" against the competition only because Ferrari marketing won't allow.

I hope Formula Dynamics come up with a 550 HP tuning kit for the 4.7 to show how this beautiful car can really kick @ss.