The Maserati nameplate has long been a symbol of style, elegance, and gorgeous Italian design, but the next GranTurismo has its sights set on something more pugnacious.
Speaking with Car Magazine, Maserati CEO Harald Wester has confirmed that the brand is working on a new GranTurismo for 2018, and it will be much sharper and more aggressive than the current car.
“It’s a harder core product which extends beyond today’s MC in terms of character, sportiness and grunt,” he said. “The new coupe will be a fully focused driver’s car – nimble, agile, responsive and stuffed with serious V8 power, not to mention a cascade of low-end torque.”
The current model (pictured), equips a 454-horsepower, 4.7-liter V8 in range-topping MC guise, which allows it to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. The next-gen version, however, is expected to boast a twin-turbo, 3.8-liter V8 with a whopping 560 hp. Yowza.
And while the Ghibli and Quattroporte will continue to come with a four-wheel drive option, the GranTurismo will further embrace its sporty character with rear-wheel drive only.
Clearly, the grand tourer will add a boatload of power for 2018, but it will unfortunately lose its convertible roof. “The Americans love it,” Wester explained, “but one major market alone simply does not generate enough volume.”
We’ll surely miss the GranTurismo soft-top, but Maserati’s open-air itch will be scratched by the new Alfieri, due out sometime next year. While it will be offered solely as a hardtop upon release, a convertible variant will arrive in 2017. Engine choices will be a trio of twin-turbo V6s, with power outputs of 410 hp, 450 hp, and 520 hp.
