The Maserati GranTurismo turns 10 in 2017 and refuses to die. Not that I want it to die, but just when I thought that the grand tourer was almost forgotten, the Italian firm popped up with a new special-edition model at the 2017 Geneva Motor Show. Called the GranTurismo Sport Special, it celebrates the 60th anniversary of the 3500 GT, a sports car that also debuted at the Geneva Motor Show and became one of the brand's most iconic models.

Available for both the GranTurismo and GranCabrio models, the Sport Special Edition standards out by means of a new Rosso Italiano, three-layer paint – which mimics the red of Juan Manuel Fangio's F1-winning 250F race car – and 20-inch alloy wheels in Glossy Black with "Special Edition" logos. Customers can also pick from other two special colors or four of the standard hues in the GranTurismo palette.

The interior has also been reimagined around Poltrona Frau leather or a leather/Alcantara combination for the upholstery and new stitching available in four different combinations. Maserati also added door sills in carbon fiber featuring the "Special Edition logo" and the dedicated plate on the central tunnel with a carbon fiber holder, commemorating the anniversary and the limited production run of 400 units.

There are no changes in the drivetrain compartment, so both the GranTurismo and GranCabrio feature the standard Ferrari-made, 4.7-liter V-8 rated at 454 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. Transmission choices include a six-speed sequential or automatic gearboxes.

Only 400 examples will be made, and chances are that the Sport Special is among the final iterations of the current GranTurismo and GranCabrio.

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Why it Matters

The Maserati GranTurismo is no longer the kind of car that makes headlines. It's great and all, the design is still fresh, and the drivetrain is powerful enough to deliver thrills at the track, but the current model is pretty old compared to the competition. This limited-edition won't do much to change that, but at least Maserati is trying. The next-generation version can't come soon enough!