Paris Show: Maserati's 300+ km/h GranTurismo MC Stradale

As we told you in our previous post, the GranTurismo MC Stradale is a racier, sportier version of Maser's big coupe (think the GT3, but from Maserati). According to the Italian sports / luxury carmaker, the MC Stradale didn't budge an inch when it came to comprises in return for performance; it handles better without losing ride quality (that has yet to be tested), it's more powerful without sacrificing fuel economy, and it plants itself harder without adding any drag.

Under the hood is a Ferrari-sourced 4.7-liter V8 that develops 450 horsepower and 510 Nm / 376 lb ft of torque. The GT racer was also put on a diet, shedding 110 kilograms in the process (it now weigh 1,770 kg and keeps its 48/52 weight distribution).

According to the Italians, the MC Stradale is the first normal-production, road-going Maserati to break the 300km/h [186 mph] barrier.

The car routs power through an "electro-actuated" transmission that shifts in a scant 60 milliseconds; launched optimally, the car should hit 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.6 seconds.

Inside, the car gets a "simplified" dash layout, loses the rear seats, and picks up some racing buckets (as well as an optional roll cage and 4-point harnesses). Also, besides having an "Auto" and "Sport" mode, there's the first-ever "Race" mode found in a road-going Maserati.

Back on the outside, there are a bunch of new little add-ons for performance, weight reduction, and just plain good looks. All-new parts included in the exterior modifications are: a new front splitter, front and rear bumpers, front guard panels, side sills, hood, and exhaust tips.

As long as you don't live in the US, Canada, or Korea, you might be able to spot one on the road after it goes on sale next February.

By Phil Alex

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Paris Preshow: Maserati's More Hardcore GranTurismo MC Stradale

After the standard 404HP GranTurismo, the sportier 'S' with 440HP in both manual and automatic flavors and more recently the limited edition 'S MC Sport Line', Maserati is once again expanding its coupe's lineup with the introduction of a new model.

Set to make its world premiere at this month's Paris motorshow, the more hardcore GranTurismo MC Stradale is claimed to be "the fastest, lightest and most powerful car in the Maserati range" when it goes on sale in the first quarter of 2011.

The strictly two-seater model is inspired by the Trofeo GranTurismo MC and the race-winning GT4 motorsport models, and features a more powerful version of the Ferrari-sourced V8 producing 450HP.

Maserati said the car will boast "razor-sharp handling and will break the 300km/h [187mph] barrier", adding that the reworked body also produces more aerodynamic down force without producing more aerodynamic drag.

No other details were given on the car but the official photos show a raft of styling upgrades including the new front end with a lower spoiler and additional air ducts, chunkier side skirts, possibly larger front fenders with new air vents, a boot lid spoiler and a new rear bumper with a diffuser and twin central exhaust pipes plus unique alloy wheels.

Full details on the car will be release at the Paris auto show.

Maserati Drops the Top on the new GranCabrio

At last, after countless spy shots and months of waiting, we can present the convertible version of Maserati's stunningly beautiful GranTurismo coupe, the GranCabrio - not the best choice of names in our book... It's the Italian automaker's first-ever four-seater convertible and it will make its worldwide debut on September 15 at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show with international sales set to start in the spring of 2010.

Even though most of the heavily disguised test mules of the GranCabrio featured a retractable hardtop, Maserati finally chose to offer the production model with an automatic canvas top, a decision that seems to have been dictated by 'mama' Fiat in order to differentiate it from the sportier Ferrari California.

Like the coupe variant, the convertible model has been styled by Italian design house Pininfarina and at least with the top down, we can say that the GranCabrio looks the part.

Maserati says that the GranCabrio has the longest wheelbase on the market of any convertible, promising to offer "proper seats" for all four passengers.

There are no changes under the hood as the GrandCabrio comes with the same powerhouse as the GrandTurismo S, which means a 4.7-liter V8 engine that cranks out 440HP at 7,000 rpm and 490Nm (362 lb-ft) of torque at 4,750 rpm. Power is sent to the rear wheels through the firm's dual-clutch, electro-actuated gearbox with fast MC-Shift arranged in the transaxle layout.

The Italian company did not disclose any performance figures but we expect the GranCabrio to be a tad slower the lighter GranTurismo which goes from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 4.9 sec and achieves a top speed of 295 Km/h or 184 mph.

Novitec Supercharges the Maserati GranTurismo S to 600HP

By far one of the most beatiful GT's in the market, the Maserati GranTurismo S is also one of the most potent cars ever manufactured by the Italian automaker. But for companies like Novitec, there's always room for perfection. The German boutique's latest pitch straps on a supercharger to the GranTurismo S' V8 boosting output from 440HP to 600HP while the mechanical upgrades are complemented by subtle aerodynamic package and 20 / 21-inch alloy wheels.

In detail, Novitec's Tridente arm fitted a newly developed supercharger to the GranTurismo S' 4.7-liter V8 while other changes include a water-to-air intercooler, a new intake system and larger injectors plus new mapping for the engine electronics. The conversion that is priced at €23,681 $31,800 boosts power from 440HP to 600HP while peak torque grows from 490 Nm to 588 Nm at 5,400 rpm.

The result is a sprint time of 4.5 seconds from standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) and 14.6 seconds to 200km/h (124mph) that represent an improvement of 0.4 and 2.6 seconds respectively over the standard production car. Furthermore, top speed grows from 295 to 315 km/h (196mph).

Aside from the usual suspension tweaks, the German tuning house also offers a height adjustable suspension system that raises front and rear axle by 40 millimeters at the push of button to overcome everyday obstacles like speed bumps or parking ramps. If the suspension is not lowered by the driver it'll revert to the normal level automatically once the car reaches a speed of 80 km/h or 50mph.

Another aspect of Novitec's programm for the GranTurismo concerns the coupe's exterior that has been upgraded with a subtle bodykit that includes front spoiler lips, rocker panels and a boot lid spoiler. Optionally, Novitec offers all of the above the components with a clear-coated carbon-fiber finish. The coupe's looks are finished off with a three-piece alloy wheels available in various color combinations in size 9Jx20 in front and in size 12.5Jx21 on the rear axle. The alloys are shod in high-performance Pirelli tires in sizes 275/30 ZR 20 and 355/25 ZR 21.