The New 2009 Maserati Gran Turismo S will be available to drive August 30th at Boardwalk Maserati - Call now to schedule a test drive! 866-476-3696
Sounds like fun, but I am so far out of that market that I would feel like a jerk taking the test drive. Think I'll head down to the Hyundai dealer
Those going out there, please chime in with your reviews, both good and bad plus any comparisons to similar cars. There are several on this board who have plopped down deposits without having the chance to drive one yet.
Don't know who else drove it today, Jennie and I both drove it. Jon Esber went after I did. Not really the time or place to test the handling, but did get somewhat familiar with everything else over a 10 minute drive. The car looks great in person, but I think that of the GranTurismo too. The S really isn't that big of a visual jump over the regular GranTurismo unlike the GranSport is over the Coupe. Regardless there is no mistaking this car for a Hyundai like the Coupe. This car fits very well into the company of the Aston Martin, 612, Bentley, and other GT's in the 6 digit group. Interior isn't as sporty compared to the GranSport. GranSport has more carbon and cockpit feel. Sound of the GranTurismo S is AWESOME! I love the sound of the GranSport and the GranTurismo S is several notches better! The car is much larger inside and outside, more of a GT car which Maserati wanted, but it is still nimble to drive and Jennie even commented that it steers better at slow speed than the GranSport. The F1 and other functions are similar to the GranSport although everything has been taken to the next level of computerization. For example the parking brake is now a switch and is deactivated by putting foot on brake. This is also the first Maserati with Bluetooth. The most noticeable difference in normal driving is smooth and quicker shifts vs. the GranSport. The GranSport is a little bit art getting the correct RPM and lift/no-lift, but the S seemed to shift smooth wherever and however. Again worth mentioning the shifts are so tight and quick. Hard acceleration is impressive from that torquey engine we've grown to love with Maserati and the 430, but it isn't more noticeably impressive than the GranSport. I never got a chance to test the handling, but expect the 400 lbs. and larger chassis with only 40 more HP would cause slower lap times than the GranSport, but these aren't meant to be track cars. So the best way to sum up my opinion after 2 months of GranSport ownership is that I would pick the GranTurismo S everything else equal, but it isn't worth the $60-70k difference in price right now. I expect the S will be $70k in 2011-12 and a ton of car for that amount of money. However, there will be 612's at $100-125k in 2011 and my personal choice will probably be the Ferrari. Image Unavailable, Please Login
Thanks for the write-up, Rob. I really like the styling of the GT-S, but your's seems to be more of a sportscar. You were right about the size of the GT-S, it seems so big compared to the GranSport. Thanks again!!
I drove the GTS after Rob and Jennie-Rob is right, they left some rubber on the tires. I have a duo-select QP, a DB7, and a '77 GTB. The GTS really gives one the GT car feel as opposed to the QP, and it is similar to the DB7 in that regard. Fast and fun, but still smooth and tractable for long periods of time in real everyday traffic with gear-loose fellow drivers on their cells. The transmission is a bit faster than mine, but it isn't that noticeable. I agree with Rob that it may not be that much of change from the GT in terms of looks or quantitative performance, but it seems sportier. Without taking it on a track, it isn't possible to judge the handling, but it was certainly stable with little body roll. It is a completely different car than the QP, and I agree that it fits in the mid-exotic range nicely along with the AMV V-8, Bentley, and R8. it is very sophisticated and smooth, and I think it is more appealing than those other GT's. One thing I did not like-electric emergency brake. It's just me-I have no confidence in those things, and they are all the rage in Europe. I also am waiting until the 612's bottom out. It's a bit of an underrated car.
