2008 Maserati GranTurismo

• Overall
• Prices
• Performance
• Exterior
• Interior
• Safety
• Reliability

Performance - What the Auto Press Says

While the GranTurismo's braking system is disappointing, it handles curvy roads with ease. "If one were to name the dominating trait of the new Maserati, it would probably be the car's admirable harmony of motion," says Automobile Magazine. "The extremely well-sorted chassis makes the GranTurismo agile in corners and easy to drive fast."

Acceleration and Power

The 2008 Maserati GranTurismo is powered by a 4.2-liter V8 engine that makes 405 horsepower at 7,100 rpm and 339 pound-feet of torque at 4,750 rpm. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the GranTurismo has a city/highway fuel economy of 13 miles per gallon in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. Premium unleaded fuel is required.

Auto writers generally find the GranTurismo driving experience to be thrilling and entertaining. Nevertheless, it doesn't stack up so well against other vehicles in its class. One repeated criticism is the engine's constant need to be revved to access available power. AutoWeek reports that "power comes on fairly high on the tach, though, with very little torque under 4000 rpm ... Once you get the revs over 4000, the car really comes alive." Even so, some critics argue that power below 4,000 rpm is not all that bad. "Even at 1000 rpm, more than 220 lb-ft are on tap, and between 3750 and 7200 rpm, the driver's right foot is in command of 295 lb-ft or more," writes Automobile Magazine.

While Automobile Magazine says that the GranTurismo's 0-to-60 mph time of 5.1 seconds is "perfectly acceptable, if slightly slower than the outgoing GranSport coupe," Motor Trend argues that the GranTurismo is "in dire need of another 50 horsepower." Automobile Magazine seemingly agrees, claiming that "an extra kick in the butt would definitely be appreciated," but ultimately concedes that a "177-mph top speed sets the Maserati apart from many of its German rivals, which are often limited to 155 mph."

Standard on this year's GranTurismo is a six-speed automatic transmission with manumatic shifting, which Car and Driver says "shifts so quickly and smoothly that the term 'slushbox' does not apply." AutoWeek explains: "No clunking here. It operates in four modes: normal; sport, which shifts at higher engine speeds; manual, which allows you to shift through either the stick on the center tunnel or the wheel-mounted paddles; and ice, which eliminates first gear and shifts at 3000 rpm for slippery roads."

Handling and Braking

Critics contend that the rear-wheel-drive GranTurismo is not a sports-racing car -- but a road conqueror. AutoWeek says the GranTurismo "is designed to conquer turns without surrendering its civilized poise, coddling its occupants to the very apex," and adds, "It has 'prodigious grip,' as they might say over at the monthly car mags, but it is no race car." Most reviewers attribute the GranTurismo's impressive road performance to its front-rear weight distribution ratio of 49:51.

Enhancing the GranTurismo's "enchanting" driving experience is its "excellent steering," says Car and Driver. While Automobile Magazine believes the steering "isn't surgically precise," it admits that it's "prompt and responsive." Moreover, "The car goes where you point it, and it only takes a couple of corners to learn that input and output share the same wavelength."

Most interesting is the GranTurismo's Skyhook suspension system, which is composed of an independent double wishbone suspension with a stabilizer bar and coil springs. According to Cars.com, the system "automatically adjusts shock-absorber firmness for different driving and road conditions. The suspension will adjust on the fly to keep the front end from diving under braking and the rear end from squatting during acceleration." Automobile Magazine adds that "even when all systems operate in macho mode, the Maserati retains the cool demeanor of a classic GT."

The GranTurismo features four ventilated disc brakes, as well as a four-wheel anti-lock brake system (ABS), stability control, Traction Control and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD). Automobile Magazine writes that Maserati is "particularly proud of the fact that the GranTurismo needs only 115 feet to stop from 62 mph, but pedal feel is nonetheless rather wooden, initial response is comparatively toothless, and pedal effort is too high." AutoWeek is similarly disappointed with the brakes, reporting that their test drive "was fun until the brakes faded, which they seemed to do intermittently."