Maserati Granturismo S (2008): first official pictures

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

26 February 2008 09:36

It’s only a year since Maserati whisked the covers off the delectable Granturismo and the Italians are unveiling a new, more powerful version.  The Granturismo S receives a heart transplant from the sister company Alfa Romeo – in the shape of the 4.7-litre V8 from the 8C supercar.

The extra half litre provides more muscle, power rising to 434bhp, compared with the regular Granturismo’s sundry 400bhp. Maserati hasn’t issued performance figures ahead of the car’s Geneva show debut next week, but it’ll clearly be supercar-quick, with a 0-60mph time in less than five seconds.

Also new on the S is a robotised manual, dubbed MC-Shift and using electro-actuators to swap cogs in the transaxle gearbox. The brakes are upgraded Brembo items, with race-developed dual cast discs made from cast iron and aluminium and grabbed by six-piston callipers.

You’ll spot the S by its new wheels and other detail changes; inside, it’s distinguished by exclusive leather and Alcantara trim and new piping on the seats. It’s not very different to the regular car, in other words.

For the full details on the Granturismo S, come back next week for our full Geneva Motor Show report.

CAR Online is reporting live from the Geneva Motor Show on Tuesday 4 March 2008. Come back for the full show reports, gossips and analysis from the Swiss show

By Tim Pollard