T he high roadway between Dubai to Abu Dhabi is not exactly breathtaking. However, the pale-white, arid land’s supernatural uniformity spread for miles, can have a pleasant tranquilising effect as I discovered when I drove down in a 2018 Maserati Granturismo Sport Coupe. At speeds crossing 180 kmph, it is odd for the mind to be more aware of how motionless it feels in a rear-wheel drive car. The swiftness of Maserati GranTurismo Sport 2018 is a result of design alterations made for better aerodynamics, however, its pluses are still owed to factors that haven’t yet changed since the old Master. For long, its cherished Pininfarina body design has necessitated few to no changes. The Maserati Coupé’s visual weight is mildly pushed towards front wheels to add more stability, especially when it swirls in its petite form. The four-seater GT comes fitted with fourth-generation Pirelli P Zero tyres that allow better grip and performance in low-suspension cars. This little shark-on-wheels eagerly changes directions.

Makeover to modern

Both rear and front bumpers are redesigned adding more refined and sharp silhouettes to the car. Front grille’s ‘shark-grin’ is inverted further, and only one pair of elongated headlights crown the grille. There is minor restyling such as reshaped LED daytime lights and grooved housing in the Xenon lamp areas of the headlights. On the car’s rear it is hard to miss the new, oval pair of exhausts sitting firmly in the bumper sockets. The pair of old-fashioned tail lights seem jarring to the eye on closer inspection.

Entertainment edit

The entertainment features in the new Maserati GranTurismo have been hyped for a reason. A highly-rated Harman Kardon premium sound system is a refreshing addition. The surround sound is so seamlessly distributed, as though there were a speaker fitted in every nook. An intense sound system in a coupè with four seats is a match made in Modena heaven.

With a new centre console and touchscreen infotainment system, Maserati GranTurismo can well be one of the most contemporary coupès to hit the market. I prefer fewer buttons near the driver’s seat that can multitask with clever efficiency. The new infotainment and console system in Maserati Sports GT does just that. An 8.4-inch touchscreen offers drag-and-drop functions and features a 3D perspective effect in a greenish ambient light. Designed with a practical approach, the console has two USB ports at the rear end and two more ports in the glove box.

The steering wheel is perfectly positioned and sized for a comfortable grip. The positioning of the basic media buttons like call, answer and volume are on the wheel so that the driver’s thumb may easily reach them while fingers stay on the wheel frame.

Interiors instantly command two crisp nods for the stitched leather surfaces in pure haute couture technique. All seats are power controlled and dressed in Poltrona Frau leather upholstery. Front seats have carbon fibre backs that are light enough to fold quickly for the rear passenger’s comfort and firm enough to be fitted in a sports car.

Maserati GranTurismo was first introduced 11 years ago when Ferrari owned Maserati. The GT 2018 version is still powered by a 4.7L V8 engine built with Ferrari. Only this time, the coupè derives more juice from the same engine. Output is increased from 444 hp and 376 lb-ft to 456 hp and 384 lb-ft.

The GT sport version uses a six-speed ZF automatic gearbox and has the capability of zooming from 0-100 kmph in 4.8s. Top Speed is 299 kmph. It weighs 1,880 kg.

Space for everyone

Since the GT is a low-suspension car, people sitting at the back or front are unlikely to be find their legs lounging in under a 90-degree angle. The seating space in the GT, both front and back, is ridiculously comfortable. Even hopping in and out of the back seat is a breeze. Maybe not so much for the rider sitting behind the driver seat because of the little space left, up front, by the steering wheel. With a four-seater coupé measuring 4,910 mm in length what do you think happens to the boot space? It gets booted-in with slight space for luggage.

Two trims for 2018

First presented to the world in 2017, Maserati GranTurismo will sell two trims in 2018. One is the sport version and the second is Maserati Corse or MC version. Downforce optimising air-vents on the bonnet and central splitter at the rear are the most prominent features that are not there in the Sports version.

Shilpa Dhamija is the founder of LuxuryVolt.com

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