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  • Maserati GranCabrio Renamed GranTurismo Convertible For U.S.

    Maserati GranCabrio Renamed GranTurismo Convertible For U.S. October 21st, 2009 By Nelson Ireson's avatar Nelson Ireson, Author, October 21st, 2009 Nelson Ireson 2 Comments

    Maserati GranCabrio Renamed GranTurismo Convertible For U.S.

    In a move that's not too unfamiliar to carmakers selling models inside and outside the U.S., the Maserati GranCabrio has been renamed the 2011 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible. Aside from sidestepping the lesser-used "cabrio" nomenclature, the name also bluntly spells out exactly what the car is, perfect for easy consumption.

    While we'll stop short of imputing an underestimation of the average American Maserati buyer's intelligence, it does seem a difference without a distinction, as GranTurismo--aside from being a very popular video game--is as foreign-sounding as the GranCabrio name. And most of the people with the dosh and desire to put...

    In a move that's not too unfamiliar to carmakers selling models inside and outside the U.S., the Maserati GranCabrio has been renamed the 2011 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible. Aside from sidestepping the lesser-used "cabrio" nomenclature, the name also bluntly spells out exactly what the car is, perfect for easy consumption. While we'll stop short of imputing an underestimation of the average American Maserati buyer's intelligence, it does seem a difference without a distinction, as GranTurismo--aside from being a very popular video game--is as foreign-sounding as the GranCabrio name. And most of the people with the dosh and desire to put a Maserati in their garage would probably get the GranCabrio name anyway. Oddly enough, the car is currently listed as the GranCabro on Maserati's U.S. site. Whatever the sense--or lack thereof--behind the decision, it's fortunately the same, elegantly styled and eminently capable car sold elsewhere. With a 4.7-liter Ferrari-sourced V-8 engine rated at 433 horsepower, a top speed of 176 incredibly comfortable miles per hour and a 0-60 time of 5.3 seconds, the GranTurismo Convertible is every bit the grand tourer its GranTurismo hard top sister is. Fans of top-down cruising will also be glad to know the GranTurismo Convertible's trunk space is the same with the top up or down, meaning you won't have to abandon your overnight luggage by the side of the road should thunderclouds loom on the horizon. If the rain does come unexpectedly, however, the automatic roof will put you under shelter in just 24 seconds. Speaking of shelter, should you get really careless and manage to flip the car on its convertible lid, an active roll bar system will help protect occupants' head and shoulders, while cast aluminum structural supports, dual-stage front airbags and stronger door sill sections further help keep the passenger cell inviolate. The GranTurismo Convertible, introduced to North America in New York last week, is available for preliminary orders now, with delivery expected to start next year. [Maserati] Read More

  • Mantide supercar to challenge Corvette ZR1’s Nurburgring lap time

    Mantide supercar to challenge Corvette ZR1’s Nurburgring lap time July 9th, 2009 ByJeremy Weber Jeremy Weber, Author, July 9th, 2009 Jeremy Weber 3 Comments

    Mantide supercar to challenge Corvette ZR1’s Nurburgring lap time With a hexagon-centric theme and styling that looks like it was sent back through a space-time rift from 2020, the Bertone Mantide is a new and polarizing figure in the design

    world. Soon, however, it may also be a prominent figure in the performance world as the owner of the car reportedly wants to take it to the Nurburgring and attempt to beat the scorching 7m 26.4s lap time set by the Corvette ZR1 – the same car on which the Mantide is based.

    Designed and built by Jason Castriota of Bertone fame, the Mantide is a special one-off supercar built from carbon-fiber and magnesium around a Corvette ZR1 chassis. The use of the... With a hexagon-centric theme and styling that looks like it was sent back through a space-time rift from 2020, the Bertone Mantide is a new and polarizing figure in the design world. Soon, however, it may also be a prominent figure in the performance world as the owner of the car reportedly wants to take it to the Nurburgring and attempt to beat the scorching 7m 26.4s lap time set by the Corvette ZR1 – the same car on which the Mantide is based. Designed and built by Jason Castriota of Bertone fame, the Mantide is a special one-off supercar built from carbon-fiber and magnesium around a Corvette ZR1 chassis. The use of the lightweight materials meant designers were able to shave almost 250lb from the kerb weight of the already lightweight ZR1. Furthermore, aerodynamic aids similar to the ones used in F1 sees the Mantide feature 25% less drag and 30% more downforce than the ZR-1 on which it’s based. Not surprisingly, Castriota insists the Mantide is faster than the ZR1 and is very excited about the prospect of the car now tackling the Nurburgring. “It has been a dream of mine from the outset of this project,” Castriota told PistonHeads. “The logistics are not easy, as we’ll need to hire a professional driver – somebody who’s truly a Nurburgring expert like Stefan Roser – and then get the circuit closed for a few days.” Luckily for Castriota, the car’s owner, British-born financier and ‘gentleman racer’ Dan Watkins, is equally excited about the car racing at the Nurburgring and is willing to let a team push it to its limits around the ‘Green Hell’.Inside Jason Castriota's Project M Read More

  • Novitec Rosso boosts Maserati’s GranTurismo S with new supercharger package

    Novitec Rosso boosts Maserati’s GranTurismo S with new supercharger package May 6th, 2009 ByJames Martinez James Martinez, Author, May 6th, 2009 James Martinez 2 Comments

    Novitec Rosso boosts Maserati’s GranTurismo S with new supercharger package Germany’s Novitec Rosso is one of favorite tuners when it comes to modifying exotic metal and the company’s latest package for the Maserati GranTurismo S shows exactly why. This is just the second tuned Maserati from Novitec’s recently established ‘Novitec Tridente’, which launched its first product back in 2007 in the form of the Quattroporte, and for its second showing the new division has gone all out to make the GranTurismo S even more enticing.

    Not content with the Ferrari-built 4.7L V8 engine, Novitec engineers have installed a new supercharger system, which sees output boosted from the standard 440hp... Germany’s Novitec Rosso is one of favorite tuners when it comes to modifying exotic metal and the company’s latest package for the Maserati GranTurismo S shows exactly why. This is just the second tuned Maserati from Novitec’s recently established ‘Novitec Tridente’, which launched its first product back in 2007 in the form of the Quattroporte, and for its second showing the new division has gone all out to make the GranTurismo S even more enticing. Not content with the Ferrari-built 4.7L V8 engine, Novitec engineers have installed a new supercharger system, which sees output boosted from the standard 440hp (328kW) to almost 600hp (448kW). The modifications have seen a complete overhaul of the powertrain, with a new high-flow exhaust system and ECU upgrade also making the cut. To make sure all that power gets to the ground consistently, Novitec has also upgraded the suspension with a custom set-up from KW and new NM3 five-spoke alloy wheels measuring 20in up front and 21in in the rear. To cap it all off is a subtle bodykit, which includes a new front spoiler, rear wing, and side skirts, all of which is available in carbon-fiber. This year is an important one for the German tuner as it marks the company’s 20th anniversary. In celebration of the milestone, Novitec will be building its first complete car – the Tulesto supercar.Novitec Tridente Maserati GranTurismo S Read More

  • Project M supercar revealed as Corvette ZR1-based Mantide

    Project M supercar revealed as Corvette ZR1-based Mantide April 20th, 2009 ByJeremy Weber Jeremy Weber, Author, April 20th, 2009 Jeremy Weber 14 Comments

    Project M supercar revealed as Corvette ZR1-based Mantide Giving brilliant people free rein to build their dreams has led to some of the best designs in automotive history, no small portion of which were penned by people working for Stile Bertone. Ex-Pininfarina designer and now head of Stile Bertone Jason Castriota is one of those people - the author of James Glickenhaus' fantastic P4/5. Now he has designed his own supercar, called the Mantide.

    Though Castriota is at the center of the project, his ties to Stile Bertone are also being kept at the forefront. Castriota's own combination of American birth and Italian heritage echoes the ties between Bertone's past and the supercar design of the... Giving brilliant people free rein to build their dreams has led to some of the best designs in automotive history, no small portion of which were penned by people working for Stile Bertone. Ex-Pininfarina designer and now head of Stile Bertone Jason Castriota is one of those people - the author of James Glickenhaus' fantastic P4/5. Now he has designed his own supercar, called the Mantide. Though Castriota is at the center of the project, his ties to Stile Bertone are also being kept at the forefront. Castriota's own combination of American birth and Italian heritage echoes the ties between Bertone's past and the supercar design of the present. The car, which made its debut today at the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show, is built off a Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 platform but its entire body is completely new, composed mostly of carbon-fiber and magnesium. The use of the lightweight materials meant designers were able to shave almost 250lb from the kerb weight of the already lightweight ZR1. Furthermore, aerodynamic aids similar to the ones used in F1 sees the Mantide feature 25% less drag and 30% more downforce than the ZR-1 on which it’s based. The end result is a 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed in excess of 200mph. Unfortunately, no production plans have been revealed yet. For more of Castriota's shockingly awesome design work, check out the Ferrari 599GTB, Rolls Royce Hyperion and the Maserati GranTurismo.Inside Jason Castriota's Project MInside Project M Episode VII Read More

  • Maserati unleashes GranTurismo MC GT4 race car

    Maserati unleashes GranTurismo MC GT4 race car April 6th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, April 6th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 2 Comments

    Maserati unleashes GranTurismo MC GT4 race car The wraps have come off the new Maserati GranTurismo MC race car, which has been developed for the FIA GT4 class and will compete in several GT4 European Cup races later this year. The new model is an offshoot of the GranTurismo MC Concept introduced last September in Monza and is based on the GranTurismo S road version, with electro-actuated gearbox system.

    No major specs have been revealed but the car runs the GranTurismo’s 4.7L V8 engine, and features a double cone racing air filter, high-flow exhaust with removable catalysts, and full carbon-fiber bodywork. According to Maserati the car also has a power-to-weight ratio of less... The wraps have come off the new Maserati GranTurismo MC race car, which has been developed for the FIA GT4 class and will compete in several GT4 European Cup races later this year. The new model is an offshoot of the GranTurismo MC Concept introduced last September in Monza and is based on the GranTurismo S road version, with electro-actuated gearbox system. No major specs have been revealed but the car runs the GranTurismo’s 4.7L V8 engine, and features a double cone racing air filter, high-flow exhaust with removable catalysts, and full carbon-fiber bodywork. According to Maserati the car also has a power-to-weight ratio of less than 3.4kg/hp (4.6kg/kW) and a kerb weight of less than 1,400kg. Maserati chose to create a model with GT4 features because this is the category with the closest links to production models, as well as in response to a niche of GranTurismo road car owners who seeking a racing version of their cars. A limited series of the GranTurismo MC produced for gentlemen drivers who wish to race in the 2010 GT4 European Cup and the national series, will be on sale from October. The indicative price is €135,000 plus taxes, and the cars will be sold directly through the Maserati Corse racing division. Maserati eventually hopes to launch its own one-make series, similar to Lamborghini’s own Super Trofeo series, and is looking for a 2010 debut.Maserati GranTurismo MC Corse ConceptMaserati GranTurismo MC GT4 Read More

  • Automatic GranTurismo S will join Maserati lineup in Geneva

    Automatic GranTurismo S will join Maserati lineup in Geneva February 23rd, 2009 ByJeremy Weber Jeremy Weber, Author, February 23rd, 2009 Jeremy Weber 0 Comments

    Automatic GranTurismo S will join Maserati lineup in Geneva Bowing to customer demand, Maserati will finally add an automatic transmission to its stunning GranTurismo S. The ZF-sourced six-speeder is already available in the standard GranTurismo and will be sold alongside the existing Cambiocorsa electro-actuated manual in the sportier GranTurismo S. The photos of the car revealed today show there is little difference in the cockpit, aside from the new gear selector.

    The gearbox software has been upgraded to handle the extra grunt from the 440hp (323kW) 4.7L V8 but the unit is claimed to be smooth and responsive to any changes applied to the accelerator pedal. The quick shifts are improved thanks to... Bowing to customer demand, Maserati will finally add an automatic transmission to its stunning GranTurismo S. The ZF-sourced six-speeder is already available in the standard GranTurismo and will be sold alongside the existing Cambiocorsa electro-actuated manual in the sportier GranTurismo S. The photos of the car revealed today show there is little difference in the cockpit, aside from the new gear selector. The gearbox software has been upgraded to handle the extra grunt from the 440hp (323kW) 4.7L V8 but the unit is claimed to be smooth and responsive to any changes applied to the accelerator pedal. The quick shifts are improved thanks to upgrades also found in the Quattroporte GT-S, which eliminates the problematic 'kick-down' in manual mode. The new automatic GranTurismo S will make its world debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. Later in the year Maserati will add a new Spyder convertible GranTursimo to its lineup and there is also a rumor that there will be sportier GT S variant as well. No changes are planned for the Cambiocorsa electro-actuated manual. For those unfamiliar with the unit, it features a twin disc clutch and triple cone synchronizer on the first and second gears and a double cone on the other gears. The transmission can be used in two ways: manual and automatic. Manual mode is for those who prefer a sportier, more involving driving experience with gear changes only made if the driver requests them in order to fully unlock the car’s performance. In either mode, however, gear transitions are nowhere near as smooth as a regular automatic. The exterior of the car also gets a few unique touches for the eagle-eyed enthusiast to spot: more prominent under-door sills, unique 20in Trident-design wheels.Maserati GranTurismo 'S'Maserati GranTurismo S AutomaticMaserati GranTurismo S driving footage Read More

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