Maserati GranTurismo makes North American debut

Befitting a city as classic as it is modern, as fast moving as it is timeless, the Maserati GranTurismo styled by Pininfarina makes its North American debut in New York.
 
The 2008 Maserati GranTurismo, inspired by the A6GCS of the past and the Pininfarina Birdcage 75 of the future, presents a strong visual impact of timeless design. Wind tunnel sculpting form lines of a thoroughbred; well-proportioned and purposeful: A True Maserati. The name of the new model - Maserati GranTurismo - is no coincidence. Once again, the Maserati - Pininfarina team has produced an exciting car whose construction, unique and inimitable style sets it apart from the competition.
 

True Performance is in the Balance

 
A genuine high-performance car is a synthesis of components engineered to compliment each other and provide the driver ultimate response and feedback as the envelope is pushed. This is a common fact on the racetrack where Maserati was born, is at home and where its modern industrial synergies run deep. Critical design features Maserati engineers adopted from this environment have allowed the four-door Quattroporte to gain unanimous and legendary status in handling and performance. The engine of the Maserati GranTurismo, like the Quattroporte, sits low and behind the front axle in a front-mid-engine layout, with weight distribution resulting in a 49% front and 51% rear weight bias. The completely revised 4.2 V8 engine is thrilling, light weight and high revving producing 405 hp at 7,100 rpm. 75% of the 339 ft-lb of torque is already achievable at 2,500 revs. Maximum speed is 177 mph, and 0-60 is achieved in 5.1 seconds. The transmission is automatic with self-adjusting controls, which adapt the gear change to the driving style and conditions.
 
The Maserati GranTurismo features a front and rear wishbone suspension with aluminum hubs and arms. The Skyhook suspension system employs aluminum gas dampers for a continuous, automatic damping control, helping to ensure comfort without penalizing performance. The car is 192.2 inches long with a wheelbase of 115.8 inches. The standard wheels are 19 inch with a 20 inch option.
 
The New York debut of the Maserati GranTurismo comes on the heels of a previous significant product development. At the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Maserati presented the Quattroporte Automatic, a car that defines the spirit of the Italian flagship and adds to the extraordinary design by Pininfarina an important development suggested by the name itself, a completely new hydraulic 6-speed transmissio