The all-new 2023 Maserati GranTurimso is powered by the V6 ‘Nettuno’ power engine in one of two states of tune
Iconic luxury car maker Maserati might be moving into the electric age with its line-up of ‘Folgore’ models, but it’s not forgetting its petrolhead fanbase when it comes to high horsepower GT cars. The new Maserati GranTurismo will go on sale in the UK in the first half of 2023 with prices expected to be in the £150,000 ballpark.
Based on an all-new platform that accepts both petrol and full-electric power, the combustion-engined Maserati GranTurismo variants are powered by the firm’s 3.0-litre twin-turbo ‘Nettuno’ V6 engine as used in the brand’s MC20 supercar. The advanced powerplant uses F1-inspired pre-chamber combustion technology to boost power and efficiency. However, here it comes in two more modest states of tune than the version in the MC20, depending on the trim level selected.
Engines, performance and 0-62mph times
The first option is the GranTurismo Modena, which produces 483bhp and 600Nm of torque. All GranTurismo models feature four-wheel drive, with the V6 engine mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The 0-62mph sprint for this ‘entry-level’ car (a relative term) stands at 3.9 seconds, while top speed is 187mph.
Top-spec cars come in Trofeo trim, which features the same V6 unit but turned up to produce 542bhp and 650Nm of torque. This cuts the 0-62mph time by four tenths of a second, while top speed rises to 205mph. Efficiency figures have not yet been disclosed, although the Nettuno unit does feature cylinder deactivation technology.
Chassis and weight-saving
Both versions of the new GranTurismo weight 1,795kg, which is relatively light for a four-seat all-wheel drive GT car. This is thanks to extensive use of lightweight materials such as aluminium (Maserati claims as much as 65 per cent of the car is made from this alloy) and magnesium for various chassis components, which helps performance and efficiency.
All GranTurismo models use a double wishbone front suspension set-up, with a multi-link arrangement at the rear. Air suspension with adaptive damping is standard, along with a mechanical limited-slip diff on the rear axle for the Modena version; Trofeo trim upgrades this to an electronically controlled limited-slip differential.
Braking is by Brembo, with six-piston calipers clamping 380mm discs at the front and four-piston calipers biting 350mm discs at the rear on both models. A staggered wheel set-up – 20 inches at the front and 21 inches at the rear – is also fitted as standard.
Regardless of spec, the GranTurismo’s engine, transmissions, all-wheel drive system, chassis and brakes are all linked by Maserati’s Vehicle Domain Control Module, an in-house Maserati system that changes the character of the car depending on the drive mode selected.
These drive modes include: Comfort, GT, Sport and Corsa, with the car’s suspension, engine, exhaust and transmission settings getting progressively more responsive and focused as you move through the modes.
Design and technology
The GranTurismo’s styling follows the MC20 and the brand’s latest model, the Grecale SUV, with vertically arranged headlamps, sculpted front wings as part of a one-piece clamshell bonnet and a prominent, oval-shaped grille with Maserati’s iconic trident logo in the centre, with these elements also harking back to Maserati’s A6 GCS/53 grand tourer from the past.
The long, two-door silhouette features a low, flowing roofline, while at the rear the new GranTurismo’s rear wheel arches are muscular, while the detailing at the back of the car – including the slim LED light units – is crisp and simple.
Inside, the GranTurismo features hardware from the Italian brand’s latest models too, with a 12.2-inch digital dash and a 12.3-inch central touchscreen that controls the car’s main functions – plus a smaller 8.8-inch panel below this – leaving the rest of the cabin button-free. A configurable head-up display and a digital rear-view mirror are also offered, while there’s a new multi-function steering wheel, with everything inside “devoted to functionality”, according to the brand. The GranTurismo features a pair of small seats in the rear too, while boot space stands at 310 litres.
The brand’s voice-activated Maserati Intelligent Assistant is also fitted along with a digital clock whose face can be changed. This technology, along with the infotainment system, features over-the-air update capability, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity also available, plus Alex integration.
Finally, to balance the GranTurismo’s focus on driving and to boost its long-distance touring capabilities, the brand has fitted it with plenty of advanced driver assistance tech, including adaptive cruise with lane centring, autonomous emergency braking for when the car is reversing, a 360-degree surround view camera system and a dynamic road view that shows a 3D reconstruction of surrounding vehicles on the digital dash.
Maserati’s all-new GranTurismo won’t arrive in the UK until at least April 2023, with UK prices and specifications set to be confirmed after that. We expect the V6-engined GranTurismo Modena to be priced from around £150,000 when it goes on sale. The GranTurismo Folgore electric version is likely to be closer to the £200,000 mark.
Keyword: New Maserati GranTurismo: prices, specs and 2023 release date