Maserati GranTurismo: The Sound of Elegance

In the automotive world, some cars are defined by their lap times, others by their technological innovations, and a rare few are defined simply by how they make you feel. The Maserati GranTurismo, introduced at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, falls squarely into the latter category.

It was not the fastest car in its class. It was not the lightest, nor did it possess the most advanced infotainment system. But what it did have was a design of such profound, timeless beauty, and a naturally aspirated V8 engine that produced such a magnificent sound, that it remained in production for an astonishing twelve years, beloved by enthusiasts until the very end.

It is the quintessential Italian Grand Tourer.

The Design: Pininfarina’s Masterstroke

The exterior design of the GranTurismo was the work of Jason Castriota at Pininfarina. It is widely considered one of the most beautiful cars of the 21st century.

The proportions are classic GT: an incredibly long hood, a low, sweeping roofline, and a short rear deck. The front end is dominated by a massive, concave oval grille featuring the iconic Maserati Trident, a design cue pulled directly from the classic 1953 Maserati A6GCS/53 Berlinetta Pininfarina.

The front fenders feature the three distinct porthole vents (a Maserati signature), leading into muscular rear haunches that give the car a powerful, predatory stance. Unlike many modern supercars that rely on sharp angles and aggressive splitters, the GranTurismo relies on soft, organic curves. Because of this, the design aged remarkably well, looking just as elegant in 2019 as it did in 2007.

The Heart: The F136 Cross-Plane V8

The true soul of the GranTurismo lies beneath its long hood. The car is powered by the F136 V8 engine family, co-developed by Ferrari and Maserati.

While Ferrari used a flat-plane crankshaft version of this engine in the F430 and 458 to achieve a high-pitched scream and a higher redline, Maserati opted for a cross-plane crankshaft.

This fundamental engineering difference gave the Maserati engine a completely different character. It produced a deep, muscular, throaty burble at idle that built into a glorious, resonant roar at high revs. It is widely considered one of the best-sounding V8 engines in automotive history.

Over its lifespan, the engine was offered in two primary configurations:

1. The 4.2L (2007): The original GranTurismo launched with a 4.2-liter version producing 405 PS (399 hp). It was mated to a smooth 6-speed ZF automatic transmission, perfectly suited for relaxed cruising.
2. The 4.7L (2008 onwards): Introduced in the GranTurismo S, displacement was increased to 4.7 liters. Power jumped to 440 PS (and eventually 460 PS in later MC Sport Line and MC Stradale models).

The 4.7L engine could be paired with either the 6-speed ZF automatic or a much more aggressive 6-speed automated manual transaxle (the MC Shift gearbox) mounted at the rear of the car for better weight distribution and faster shifts.

A True Four-Seater

A critical element of the GranTurismo’s appeal was its practicality. Unlike a Porsche 911 or an Aston Martin DB9, which feature rear seats only suitable for small luggage, the Maserati GranTurismo was a genuine four-seater.

Built on an evolution of the Quattroporte V chassis, the long wheelbase allowed two adults to sit comfortably in the rear bucket seats. The interior was swathed in luxurious Poltrona Frau leather and offered extensive customization options, though the infotainment and switchgear (borrowed from the FCA parts bin) began to show their age significantly toward the end of its production run.

The MC Stradale

While the standard GranTurismo was a heavy cruiser (weighing nearly 1,900 kg), Maserati proved the chassis had sporting potential with the introduction of the MC Stradale in 2010.

Inspired by their Trofeo racing cars, the MC Stradale was stripped of its rear seats (initially) to save 110 kg. It featured a more aggressive aerodynamic package, standard carbon-ceramic brakes, stiffened suspension, and the fastest iteration of the MC Shift automated manual gearbox. It transformed the elegant cruiser into a loud, stiff, and highly engaging sports car capable of hitting 300 km/h (186 mph).

An Enduring Legacy

Production of the original GranTurismo finally ended in 2019, with over 28,000 coupes and 11,000 convertibles (GranCabrios) built.

It survived far longer than any car in its class normally would, defying the industry trends of downsizing and turbocharging. It sold purely on emotion—the intoxicating combination of Pininfarina styling and the visceral roar of a naturally aspirated, Ferrari-built V8. It represents the end of a very romantic era for Italian motoring.