Al Tayer Motors, the official Maserati importer-dealer in the UAE, launched the 2018 Maserati GranTurismo and 2018 Maserati GranCabrio at the Dubai Autodrome marking the regional debut of the Italian luxury sports cars.
The event was designed to showcase the exhilarating performance of the cars and give customers the opportunity to fully experience their sporty character on the racing track.
“The GranTurismo has evolved over time to become one of the world’s most iconic sports cars and remains a resolutely sporty luxury coupé with a uniquely timeless elegance. Stunning design, superb performance, distinctive sound and unmatched driving delight combine to give automotive connoisseurs a truly enjoyable ownership experience,” said Martino Picotti, Senior Brand Manager – Maserati, Al Tayer Motors.
The starting price of the 2018 GranTurismo is AED 485,000/- while the GranCabrio is priced from AED 575,000/-, which includes three years unlimited mileage warranty and three years or 60,000km service package. The cars are expected to be available at the Al Tayer Motors Maserati showrooms in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah by mid-November.
The GranTurismo and GranCabrio range has been streamlined for 2018 and two distinct versions will be offered – Sport and MC. The 4.2-litre GranTurismo and GranCabrio has been discontinued, while the Sport and MC share the same powertrain V8 of 4.7-liter and interior personalization packages.
The MC – for Maserati Corse – takes on an important ambassadorial role for the entire Maserati range, representing the company’s long and illustrious racing heritage. Replacing the previous MC Stradale, it offers a wide array of tried and tested features from other Maserati models.
The naturally aspirated V8 engine is hand-assembled by Ferrari in Maranello and weighs only 175kg. This 4.7-liter unit features a wet sump and – exclusive to Maserati – a cross-plane crankshaft. This provides unrivalled throttle response, free-revving characteristics and the thrilling Maserati signature sound.
When it came to the MY18 restyle, the timeless Pininfarina design was treated with the utmost respect by the Maserati Design Centre. The results include even better aerodynamics and compliance with the latest pedestrian safety regulations.
The new front and rear bumper design for the MY18 GranTurismo and GranCabrio elegantly refines the visual impact of the striking original styling. Additionally, the headlights for each model have been slightly restyled for 2018, and a new rear-view camera is now included. The Sport and MC share the same basic features, although each has unique inserts to accentuate its distinctive character.
The GranTurismo, together with its GranCabrio sibling, is assembled at the historic Maserati plant of Ciro Menotti in Modena, following the highest manufacturing and quality control standards in the world. More than 37,000 GranTurismo and GranCabrio models have been sold globally since 2007.
Highlights include:
• Enhancements to the classic Pininfarina design
• More aerodynamic exterior restyling includes new bumpers, grille and front air ducts
• Drag coefficient improved to 0.32 for the GranTurismo and 0.33 for the GranCabrio
• Naturally aspirated 4.7-litre V8 with 460hp
• Six-speed ZF automatic gearbox
• Intuitive new driver interface & infotainment system
• 8.4” high-resolution, capacitive touchscreen
• Redesigned central console with double rotary control
• Compatibility with Apple Car Play and Android Auto
• New double dial Maserati clock
• Standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound system
The eternal GranTurismo
The Pininfarina-designed GranTurismo is a historically important, brand-defining model for Maserati.
The luxurious four-seater sports coupé was conceived as an ultra-modern interpretation of the brand’s very first production grand tourer, the elegant Maserati A6 1500 of 1947. And over the years, the GranTurismo has evolved into one of the most iconic Maserati cars ever built, thanks to its uncompromised GT character.
This character is perfectly expressed by a uniquely compelling combination – bold yet elegant design; the exhilarating, inspirational performance of a naturally aspirated, Maranello-built V8 engine; and hand-crafted comfort offered by four individual, Poltrona Frau® seats.
In essence, the GranTurismo is the ultimate expression of what grand touring means to Maserati.
Open-air grand tourer
The Maserati GranCabrio – the convertible interpretation of the iconic GranTurismo – made its world debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. Designed by Pininfarina, it offered the joys of luxury grand touring in a full four-seater from a breathtaking new perspective. The new model features a subtle restyle that respects the dramatic elegance of the original. Its sensuous lines can be traced directly to its ancestor, the 1950 A6G Frua Spyder – a highly exclusive production convertible with a race car engine.
The timeless design is accompanied by the exhilarating, inspirational performance of a naturally aspirated, Maranello-built V8 engine and the hand-crafted comfort of four individual Poltrona Frau® seats. In short, the GranCabrio is the ultimate expression of luxurious, open-top grand touring at its authentic best.