Before testing the GranTurismo S Automatic on “just the right kind of road: all curves and no traffic”, Marco Pascali was able to appreciate the top notch levels of comfort on board. “The truth is that when I began driving the GranTurismo S Automatic I started chatting to the person by my side, roaming through Modenese streets and enjoying the springtime. Chatting away, overtaking and a coffee break later, I realised that we had covered 160 km. It was when I said to myself: “160 km!” that I realised that it had won the bet…when driving doesn’t call for particular concentration it means that you are in a good car as you can dedicate it only the necessary attention. The car looks after the rest”.

With its new automatic transmission, the Maserati coupé transported its driver and passenger “languidly but alertly, in evident comfort”. As the roads became more inviting, Pascali switched the six-speed automatic transmission to manual mode. “Once I had pressed the Sport button, I set off. You can feel the weight of the car but its set up makes it sprightly. Gear changes are swift and just light pressure on the paddles results in perfect shifts”.

Overall, the final verdict is a positive one. The Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic is a car that “has presence, the engine and history to make the difference. Now there is an automatic transmission to add to the mix”.