Maserati chose the New York Stock Exchange as the venue for the unveiling of its facelifted 2018 Model Year GranTurismo.
Maserati lined up its entire range next to the restyled GranTurismo MC in front of the New York Stock Exchange building: a black Ghibli SQ4 Nerissimo Edition with a black/red interior (an exclusive version for the US and Canada markets), a blue “Passione” Quattroporte GTS GranLusso with a Zegna Silk interior and a white 350hp Levante SUV with a black/red interior.
Busy New Yorkers also got the opportunity to admire a classic sports coupé representing Maserati’s racing heritage: the blue Tipo 151 that competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1962 – one of only three ever built – before Maserati CEO Reid Bigland rang the closing bell to signal end of the day’s stock market trading.
Since 2007, Maserati has produced more than 37,000 GranTurismo and GranCabrio models in its Modena factory and relaunches the model for 2018 with a mild restyling, upgraded interiors and a new infotainment system.
The streamlined range comprises two models - the Sport and the MC – both equipped with the naturally aspirated 4.7-litre V8 engine developing 460hp at 7,000rpm and 520Nm of torque at 4,750rpm, mated to a six-speed ZF automatic gearbox.
Up front, a new ‘sharknose’ hexagonal grille, inspired by the Alfieri Concept, adds a three-dimensional effect and combines with new, lower air ducts to improve airflow distribution and reduce the GranTurismo’s aerodynamic drag coefficient from 0.33 to 0.32.
The rear bumper has also been restyled, featuring a neater design with twofold layout for the Sport and MC versions.
Performance figures have been improved compared to the previous model year: the GranTurismo Sport accelerates from 0-100km/h in 4.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 299km/h while the lighter MC version makes it to 100km/h in 4.7 seconds and has a top speed of 301km/h .
The interior of the GranTurismo continues to offer room for four adults in individual Poltrona Frau® leather seats with integrated headrests. Alcantara and leather upholstery are also available on the options list.
A new, high resolution 8.4” capacitive touch screen and Harman Kardon Premium Sound system is compatible with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring functions, while the redesigned centre console features a ‘user-friendly’, double rotary knob, made of forged aluminium. The button cluster for the car’s driving modes has been repositioned next to the gearshift lever.