These are the first images of Maserati’s new GranTurismo, revealed ahead of the car’s official debut at next month’s 2007 Geneva auto show.

The stunning lines were penned by Italian design studio Pininfarina, clearly taking inspiration from Maserati's larger Quattroporte sedan. A near-perfect 49/51 weight distribution combined with an upgraded 405hp 4.2L V8 motor is sure to provide scintillating performance.

Just like the Quattroporte saloon, the new coupe gets a modern take on the Buickesque three-hole side vents with a sharper more angular appearance. Muscular flared wheel arches house huge multispoke alloys featuring Masearti’s trademark trident logo. The new interior, which was also designed by Pininfarina, features a leather lined dash and center console that runs the entire length of the cabin, while the conventional handbrake is replaced with a foot operated pedal next to the brake. Gears are changed by a fully-automatic transmission with pseudo-manual mode that uses paddle-shifters located behind the steering wheel.

The new coupe won't be called the GT but instead picks up the extended title, GranTurismo, refering to Maserati’s first street car of 1947. The first cars are expected to hit showrooms by the middle of this year, but already there are rumors of even more models. A new flagship GranSport model is said to be in the works, powered by an all-new 450hp 4.7L V8 that will be shared with Alfa Romeo’s 8C Competizione. This will be followed with the release of a new Spyder convertible as well as a possible Coupe-Convertible sporting a folding metal roof next year.

For more from the Geneva auto show, head to our dedicated hub.