Tuesday 9 August 2011

Maserati Prices Hardcore GranTurismo MC at $143,400, Sportiest Convertible at $146,300

Maserati Prices Hardcore GranTurismo MC at $143,400, Sportiest Convertible at $146,300: "

2012 Maserati GranTurismo MC


Back in April, Maserati showed some cars in New York—not at the New York Show, but the night before at a dealership in Tribeca. Both the GranTurismo MC and the GranTurismo Convertible Sport debuted that night (we just drove the latter; check out our story here), but the company said nothing of a price for either. Finally, today, we have some closure, as the company has announced the pricing for both cars.


The GranTurismo MC was developed by the Maserati Corse racing team and is nearly identical to the MC Stradale already on sale in Europe. Compared with the more pedestrian GranTurismo coupe, the MC has additional downforce, an increase to 444 hp from its 4.7-liter V8 (up from 433), and a comprehensive “friction reduction program” for components within the drivetrain. Unlike the Euro-market Stradale, our MC has a rear seat and a ZF-sourced six-speed automatic gearbox, rather than a six-speed sequential-manual unit. No matter, though—even with those changes it should still be the highest-performance Maserati offered here, running from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds on its way to a top speed of 185 mph. It comes with a price worthy of that accomplishment, however, starting at $143,400.



One title the MC doesn’t hold is “Most Expensive Maserati in the U.S.” because that honor has just been given to the $146,300 GranTurismo Convertible Sport. Like the MC, it uses a 444-hp V-8 and a quick-shifting automatic (up from the regular GTC’s 433 hp) but otherwise, it’s more of a topless version of the now mid-level GranTurismo S. It borrows that car’s style and aerodynamics, as well as its screaming sport exhaust system and Sport Skyhook adaptive suspension. If you’re all about hearing an Italian V-8 singing its song from the driver’s seat, it may not get better than this.


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