2012 Maserati Granturismo S Review

We just added a new ride to our stable, the 2012 Maserati Granturismo S designed by Pininfarina.  This is my first auto that is considered “exotic” and compared to our 2013 Lexus GS its a totally different experience.  So why a Maserati one might ask?  It’s blazing fast but not the fastest,  It’s got good tech but not amazing tech like the lexus and it’s not exactly inexpensive either… I can answer that question in 1 word.  FERRARI,  The “Ferrari list” to be exact.  It’s been my dream to own a brand new Ferrari and many aren’t aware that you can’t just simply walk into a dealership and buy one.  There are rules to this game some very odd ones at that.  The first is in order purchase a brand new one at MSRP you must be on the List.  How do you get on it?  You must buy a pre owned Ferrari first and those run above the MSRP of brand new ones and I just have this thing about buying new.

Being that Maserati’s are designed by Pininfarina the same design house and coach builder of the new F12 Berlinetta, FF, and 458 Italia among many others the Maserati Granturismo S  features a Ferrari motor and are only sold in Ferrari dealerships. This is how I was able to negotiate myself onto the Ferrari list  for a future purchase order of a new 458 italia.

 It’s sex on wheels,  It’s curves give it a unique character and the sound of the motor is bliss.  In normal mode it’s subdued but still throaty while the sport mode opens up the valves making it roar and even at idle.  It’s elegant, innovative, and aggressive.  It came down to a decision of getting the MC Sport Line version or the race ready and more aggressive MC.  I opted for the MC Sport Line as I wasn’t really feeling the front race bumper of the MC.  With extra room in the budget I packed on every option and then some including a carbon fiber body kit,  evolution II carbon interior along with alacantra roof lining, neptune black gloss 20″ staggered wheels and Skyhook air suspension.

The GTS tops out at about 185 with 440hp and 361 lb-ft torque at 4,750 the ride isn’t all that crazy,  it’s more of a grand tourer than all out sports car.  With the simple press of the sport mode button the suspension gets very firm and the exhaust opens up and sings to you.  I’ve let the wheels break loose a few times and its got “almost” the perfect amount of understeer.  Being that it came with Maserati only designed special edition Pierlli PZEROs I don’t think I want to run these bald.

Other cars I looked at were the 2012.5 Aston Martin Vantage, Fisker Karma, Bentley & 991S,  I ended up choosing the Maserati for it’s smooth yet powerful ride and attractive styling not to mention it got me on “the list”.

The GTS is unquestionably Itallian in it’s design.  The S features stiffer springs and dampers,  larger 20″ wheels and a thicker anti roll bar with a skyhook suspension system tied into a sport mode that learns how you drive it and adapts to road conditions.  The GTS is surprisingly spacious car for its size being a 2+2 seater.  The motor is positioned back to improve its weight ratio and thats why the nose is so long and curvaceous.  When it comes to gas milage It’s not an efficient motor only getting 13mpg in the city but it’s not exactly a daily driver for most people , It is for me.  The performance isn’t quite in the Ferrari category but the GTS beats its italilan cousins handily in comfort and luxury.