The outcome made interesting reading and was published in the Corriere della Sera’s Motori section. The tests highlighted the GranTurismo’s twin character: supersporty on the track and extremely comfortable on the road. 
Ivan Capelli’s test session at the ‘Enzo and Dino Ferrari’ Autodrome began at the wheel of the MC Concept: “The first lap was run to carry out a system check and everything was ok; engine, transmission and brakes. I focus on these because the MC Concept does not have ABS (the system that prevents the wheels locking under braking) or ASR (traction control) and so is completely ‘free’. Stepping on the gas with the car’s superb chassis and even weight distribution does not result in any oversteer but braking calls for a lot of concentration. Without ABS, the driver has to gauge how hard he brakes”.

The article continues by analysing the MC Concept’s great dynamic handling: “The steering wheel response when taking curves is immediate. There is no delay or play in the steering… The chassis transmits a superb sense of roadholding and allows the driver to step on the accelerator and exit the curve without any fuss”. 
After the Tamburello curve, Capelli took on Villeneuve, Tosa, Piratella (“Again I was surprised at how well balanced the car was even after clipping the kerb”), the tricky Acque Minerali, Variante Alta and la Rivazza. “Each lap is a challenge but it is really satisfying when you manage to complete another lap right on the racing line”, are Ivan’s closing words.

Having climbed out of the MC Concept, Capelli got behind the wheel of the Maserati GranTurismo S in which he had already driven from Milan to Imola. Once more, he gave the thumbs up: “The 4.7 litre, 440 bhp V8 delivers its power smoothly and makes the most of the new MC Shift transmission set up. This is noticeable when in Sport mode, at 5500 rpm and going up through the gears. You can feel the satisfying sensation of the gear shifts”.
Unlike on the track, comfort should not be taken lightly when on the road. Capelli provides the reassurance words “in terms of comfort, the GranTurismo S delivers. The miles rack up without giving the driver any back problems. This is because of the bodyhugging, well-padded seats and the spot-on driving position”.