The article, previewed in the Contents section with a photograph covering the whole page, is titled ‘Dawn of Civilisation’, which refers to the “new levels of refinement” attained by the Maserati GranTurismo. The Trident car is described as being “an ultra-refined four-seater coupé in the spirit of the company’s rare 3500GT of the 1950s but with an eye firmly on more mass-market, modern-day rivals such as the Jaguar XK, BMW 6-series and Mercedes CL”.
The article underlines the fact that though the GranTurismo occupies this market sector, it is not a substitute for the GranSport. The GranTurismo “is a gentler, more refined creature, presumably aimed at a more refined customer”. Chilton states that the GranTurismo is not a sportscar in the strictest sense as the its cabin has a “rarefied atmosphere” that invites “interior calm” with its leather upholstery and an interior in which four adults can travel comfortably.
He continues: “the rear seats are usable by real people for real journeys” and are exceptionally finished, as is the rest of the interior. The on-board technology and the satellite navigation system are also praised as being faster and more accurate than those fitted to rival models.
From the point of view of the mechanics, the Ferrari-derived V8 “looks as gorgeous as it sounds, but the GranTurismo is so refined that you’ll have to listen hard to hear it”. The decision to equip the GranTurismo with an automatic gearbox has, in the Chilton’s opinion, paid off as it makes the car pleasant to drive and improves its agility in traffic and on mountain roads. The excellent weight distribution also helps make the GranTurismo nimble and alert. Despite its size and weight (it is heavier than the GranSport and its rivals) the GranTurismo is seen as ‘damned sexy’ as the sweeping Pininfarina lines make the car appear less weighty.
The GranTurismo could be defined as “an elegant melting pot of modern details with elements of Maserati tradition”, the crossroads between the old and the new. He reaffirms “the most exciting thing in here is the tangible sense that this is the best-built Maserati for decades”.
In conclusion, he provides three reasons why the GranTurismo is a winning package: “the cachet of the Maserati name, styling that’s as distinctive as the BMW’s but less derivative then the Jag’s and a package that’s rarer than either can offer”. “This is a great luxury coupé, but not a sports car, just as Maserati intended”.