MASERATI COUPE
Nauman Farooq drives the sleek Coupe
Maserati
is perhaps one of the most beautiful and romantic names in the business. It even
sounds sensual. Just like the Ferrari's prancing horse or Lamborghini's raging
bull, Maserati's trident has become a very evocative motif.
Having emerged from a difficult period of questionable styling and a poor reputation for reliability, the reborn Maserati has regained its credibility amongst enthusiasts and is once again producing desirable cars. Coupled with the emotion and romance associated with the Italian marques it's once again an exciting proposition to own such a car.
The Maserati GT Coupe is the car that restored the marque to glory. Styled by Giugaro, the car uses curves and flowing lines more in keeping with classic Maseratis, giving the car a purposeful yet flowing look.
The
tail lights have been the subject of much debate. I much preferred the tail
light arrangement of the earlier European model, but the current arrangement is
not what you can call ugly, just more conservative. The side profile is soft and
flowing, like melting wax, while the front end is quite aggressive, which is
great as traffic moves out of your way very swiftly as you descend on them.
Soft and Gentle
The
interior is soft, comfortable and inviting. The coupe is a 2+2 and not just in
name only. The rear seats are usable with the legroom and headroom in the back
being much better than many coupes. The space in the front is good, but a tad
narrow. The driver's seat adjusts in all directions and is comfortable but
thicker side bolsters would be good for more spirited driving. The steering
wheel adjusts for both height and reach, allowing an almost perfect driving
position to be selected, although the dashboard is quite high.
All controls are within easy reach of the driver including the (optional) Navigation System, with the stereo and climate control switches just below that. On the centre console you would also find switches for the traction control and the "Skyhook" suspension system, both of which are a part of the Maserati Stability Program (MSP). Next to the MSP button is a "Sport" switch, which allows for even faster gear changes and sharper throttle response. Together with the "Cambiocorsa" or F1 paddle shifter transmission this makes for a rapid car.
Foot Down
My
outing in the GT was scheduled perfectly. It was a beautiful sunny day after
a horrible winter. After navigating through urban city streets, we headed for
the highway to flex this car's muscles. The muscle comes in the form of the 4.2
litre, normally aspirated V8, producing 390 hp, and 330 lb/ft of torque. It's
mated to either a regular six-speed manual gearbox, or the six-speed Cambiocorsa
gearbox, driving the rear wheels. To transfer the power on the road, you get
18-inch rims, shod with 235/40 front and 265/35 rear, Z-rated tyres. The grip is
great but the feedback is dulled through the steering, giving a slightly
anaethatised experience.
The comfortable cabin also disguises speed very well (officer). It's important to remember that the Maserati Coupe is a grand tourer, not an out an out sports car like a Ferrari. Ferrari's control of Maserati has allowed it to carve a niche complimentary to its own cars. It's aimed firmly at a different type of clientele - those who want exclusivity and relaxed cruising, not the automotive equivalent of triple shot of an espresso.
Top Gear
That said, this car is still very capable. It's got a top speed of 177 mph and a 0-60 mph time of just 4.8 seconds and is rewarding to drive. On the highway, blatting up to illegal speeds was a pleasurable experience consisting of simply dropping down a couple of gears and stabbing the throttle. With the rear mounted Cambiocorsa gearbox, gear changes are executed with the paddles behind the wheel. Lift off slightly for the up change or you'll get a nasty thump. Down changes are sweet though with an automatic blip of the throttle actuated by the electronics as the lower gear is selected.
If you feel the need to thrash the car within an inch of its life beware. Red lining the car in any gear automatically bumps you up to the next gear with a bump. Changing down is less dramatic with an automatic selection of first gear as you cruise to a halt. 330mm Brembo brakes do the stopping with the assistance of two stage servo system.
The Italians love their exhaust notes but the standard GT sounds quite tame. You can opt for a Tubi exhaust system if you want a more growling sound, but the standard, somewhat quieter sound of the standard exhaust reconfirms this car's grand touring status.
Here in Canada, the Maserati feels very special, thanks to its exclusivity. With just 33 cars delivered by Ferrari Maserati of Ontario in 2002 and just over 40 units planned for this year we're unlikely to be falling over them.
Pricing of course varies around the world. Whilst it isn't cheap (UK: ~£60K), it does offer a unique experience of pace, poise and practicality and of cours that evocative badge.