Finally, Maserati has a car that can go from zero to 60 mph in under 5 seconds. This would be the 2008 Maserati GranTurismo S unveiled in Geneva today. Noting the crowd's fatigue at this late afternoon press conference, Maserati CEO Roberto Ronchi took a simple tack for his speech.
"People have been asking me, 'What does the S stand for,'" he said. "First of all, it stands for 'sport' because there is the new 4.7-liter V8 engine." That engine makes 440 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 361 pound-feet of torque at 4,750 rpm -- significant gains over the 405 hp at 7,100 and 339 lb-ft at 4,750 in the regular GranTurismo .
"'S' also stands for 'speed,'" he continued, "because this is the fastest Maserati we've ever built." The GranTurismo S has a top speed of 295 km/h, he said, which is 183 mph.
Subsequent "S" references were, in order, "shifting fast" (because of the switch to the F1-style sequential gearbox), "sound" (because of the meticulous exhaust tuning), "style" (because, well just look at the car), "side skirts," "spoiler," "seven-spoke wheel" (an exclusive GT-S design), "stopping power" (because of the six-piston calipers and iron/aluminum rotors), "seats" (evidently they're comfortable), "squadra" (Italian for "team" -- for all who contributed to the GT-S project), "success" (because you'd buy one if you could afford it, right?), "Sergio Marchione" (Fiat boss), and finally, "see you soon -- at the dealership to see other novelties from Maserati."
Our vocabulary enhanced and expanded, we took a moment to appreciate the nakedness of the new V8 engine and rear transaxle in this display -- the most interesting exhibit on the stand.
Except for maybe the car.
Well, and for some, the girl.
-- Erin Riches, Senior Editor, Inside Line
Our vocabulary enhanced and expanded, we took a moment to appreciate the nakedness of the new V8 engine and rear transaxle in this display -- the most interesting exhibit on the stand.
Except for maybe the car.
Well, and for some, the girl.
-- Erin Riches, Senior Editor, Inside Line
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