The GranSport’s name alone suggests its eager thoroughbred GT spirit, the kind of spirit that can provide plenty of fun on demand for the driver. The GranSport name also has a special symbolic significance for the Trident as it was first used in the 1950s for an elegant two-litre coupe designed by the Carozzeria Frua on the base of the famous A6 G.

The new GranSport, however, is designed to offer an exciting alternative to the current Coupé, and as such, has been treated to series of new enhancements that give it a very powerful temperament indeed.

The traditional Trident elegance is there too in the classic chrome grille reminiscent of the Quattroporte’s. The grilles over the air vents on the rear bumper are chrome too. The Maserati GranSport’s sporty look is completed by new 19” wheels inspired by the ones sported by the cars in the Maserati Trofeo Championship, with spokes forming a very attractive Trident.

Rear: double wishbones with arms and hubs in forged aluminium, additional radius arm to control toe-in; progressive rate steel dampers or optional continuously variable aluminium gas dampers with adaptive damping and acceleration sensors on each wheel (Skyhook system), co-axial coils and springs.

Bosch 5.7 four-channel anti-lock braking system.
Electronically controlled braking corrector (EBD).

Gear shift ratios: 1st 3.286; 2nd 2.158; 3rd1.609; 4th 1.269; 5th 1.034; 6th 0.816; Reverse 2.733.
Asymmetrical limited-slip differential (25% under acceleration, 45% on lift-off), hypoid bevel gear pair, final drive 3.73 (11/41).

Dry twin-plate clutch, diameter 215 mm (8.46 in) with flexible couplings and hydraulic control.

Steel 20 mm driveshaft flexibly supported on four bearings in an engine-gearbox connection pipe.

Maserati Stability Programme (MSP) stability control with Bosch ASR, MSR and ABS.

Dry sump lubrication in unit with cooling pump.

Bosch integrated ignition-injection system, electronic drive-by-wire acceleration control.

The Maserati GranSport’s dashboard boasts excellent specialist trim and central console options. The upper part of the dash is trimmed in leather, while the central area, framed by the car-coloured piping strip, is trimmed in a special high tech fabric originally developed for nautical use and available in Nero (Black), Grigio Nickel (Nickel Grey) or Blu Metal (Metal Blue). This is a double layered material which is not only very attractive but also non-slip and extremely hard-wearing, making it ideal for trimming the central area of sports seats and the lower rim of the steering wheel.

The front seats are designed for high lateral containment, and guarantee maximum driver contact with the car for perfect control. They were developed with the help of the Maserati test drivers in line with the strictest ergonomic principles with the aim of combining sporty characteristics and excellent seat comfort for perfect, long distance driving. This is why the seats are also fully power adjustable and can, on request, be supplied with a heating option and memorised settings on the driver’s side.

The carbon, leather-trimmed tunnel separates the two front seats. It contains the Cambiocorsa control selector and the secondary commands, each one of which is set into an elegant chrome surround.

The main control buttons, including the blue Start button, on the other hand, are grouped together on the central console near the driver. The climate control and CD player buttons are also set in a carbon feature on the central console.

Any driver lucky enough to get hisher hands on the three-spoke steering wheel of the Maserati GranSport will appreciate the work that has been done to mould the rim (trimmed in perforated leather, carbon and technical fabric) to offer improved ergonomic grip. All of the car’s functions are arranged on the instrument binnacle that boasts sporty white graphics on a Maserati navy blue background.