Maserati GranTurismo (07 on) - Review

The big surprise in the Gran Turismo model is the amount of space made available for occupants in the rear – despite its sleek 2+2 styling, this car manages to allow sufficient room for four adults to travel in reasonable comfort over long journeys. Double cup-holders are provided for front and rear passengers and the front armrest has an illuminated storage compartment.

Though it seats four in surprising comfort, the GranTurismo is intended to be more sporting than practical and because it has a fixed rear seat, load-carrying is confined to the boot area, which offers a capacity of only 261 litres. To its credit, the company does offer optional luggage sets specially tailored to make the most of the boot space, plus side storage compartments alongside the rear seats for small personal items. As an aid to entry and exit to the rear seats, the power system for both front seats drives them forward automatically when the backrest is tilted.

Excitement should be a given in a low-slung, relatively lightweight coupe with a big engine. It is – and it comes with classic Italian flair in the new Maserati. Height and reach power adjustment for the steering is provided and both front seats are electrically adjustable. Supple leather and aluminium-coloured inlays are used throughout the sumptuous interior of the GranTurismo and it really feels a special place to sit. Quality is good too and the tactile materials are a big improvement over previous Maserati cars. It's a shame then that the sat nav is borrowed from a Peugeot.