Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale Car Review - April 2012

REVIEW
List Price: £110,110
Tax Band: M
Insurance Group: 50
MPG: 19.5
CO2: 337
0-62 Mph: 4.5 secs
BHP: 442 BHP
Range: 386 miles
CarSite Verdict:  3.5/5
The GranTurismo is a car that has been designed to be a little more practical than two seater sports cars, and with space for four people in a very luxurious cabin, Maserati have certainly achieved this aim. The MC Stradale is the lightest and most powerful GranTurismo on the market, and the driving experience is very good despite the large size of the car, but the cost of purchase and running the car are both very high.

PROS:  This is the quickest and most powerful version of the GranTurismo, and offers a superb driving experience which also boasts an engine which sounds wonderful when it is being pushed.

CONS:  The purchase price for the MC Stradale is significantly more than the other models in the range, and it also suffers from having a tiny boot space and poor visibility to the side.

Behind the Wheel

The handling with the GranTurismo is excellent, with steering that is accurate and is nicely weighted, but a little more feedback would be nice. There is no doubt when driving that the GranTurismo does feel like a big car, but it has plenty of grip when cornering and the stiff sporty suspension means there's very little body movement too. The driving position is fine with a seat and steering wheel that both adjust to suit the individual, but the thick pillars at the front and the side do affect visibility.

This version of the GranTurismo certainly has the best performance figures in the range which really do impress, with the 4.7 litre engine able to achieve acceleration from 0-62mph in only 4.6 seconds. The top speed of 187mph is really begging to be taken away from the limitations of road driving on to the track, and while there is some road noise and engine noise while cruising at motorway speed, the sound when you put your foot down is magnificent.

Looks & Equipment

The GranTurismo has been aggressively styled and really does look like a powerful sports car, with the distinctive large grille at the front end signifying that this is certainly a Maserati. The streamlined shape and bulging wheel arches are also very nice, while the back end is tidy with large tail light clusters and two sets of twin exhausts. Inside the cabin the car is classy and attractive, although the small buttons on the centre console are annoying to use while driving.

The level of equipment included with this version of the GranTurismo is superb, with features such as alloy wheels and leather seats included as standard. Satellite navigation is also installed in every car, while cruise control makes the car a more civilized companion on longer journeys.

Practicality, Safety & Reliability

One of the main reasons that many people will consider the GranTurismo is that it is more practical than many two seater sports cars, with four seats that really can be comfortable for long journeys. The fact that the boot is very small is however a problem. Maserati doesn't have a particularly good record for reliability, but they are claiming to have simplified the mechanics in their latest generation vehicles which should improve things.

The GranTurismo is also a very safe car to drive, boasting a number of airbags to look after occupants in the front and rear alike should the car become involved in a collision. There are also a number of electronic driving aids that help the driver to keep control of the car, and to avoid getting in to any accidents where possible.

Value for Money

With a list price of £110,045, the MC Stradale is a lot more than the other three options in the GranTurismo range, but it is also the best to drive and is a lot more fun than many rivals.

The running costs for the Maserati are also quite hefty, with the 4.7 litre engine only able to deliver an average 19.6mpg. The insurance costs for the car are also going to be a significant expense, but one plus point is that Maserati cars do hold their value well because of their immense desirability. The car is supplied with a three year unlimited mileage warranty, and also has an impressive breakdown assistance package that will last for the same duration as the warranty.

Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale Car Review - by 
All Maserati Granturismo Reviews
Maserati GranTurismo 4.2 V8 2dr - March 2012
This Italian supercar looks great and sounds great thanks to a fantastic roaring 4.2 litre V8 engine. It also holds four people in relatively high comfort but naturally the car fails to offer much ...
Maserati GranTurismo 4.2 V8 2dr - April 2012
The GranTurismo is a car which is designed to carry four people in comfort, and even in this entry level model the luxury in the cabin is superb, and the amount of space available is really very go...
Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic 2dr - February 2012
The Maserati brand is one that has long been associated with luxury sports cars, and the GranTurismo is a coupe that is truly able to deliver a high quality driving experience. The refinement in t...
Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale - February 2012
What the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale lacks in precision compared to rivals which offer more clinical control, it makes up for by being a much easier car to live with and to drive on a daily ba...
Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale - April 2012
The GranTurismo is a car that has been designed to be a little more practical than two seater sports cars, and with space for four people in a very luxurious cabin, Maserati have certainly achieved...
Comments
Supercars Alternatives

You might want to read reviews for other Supercars that you can then compare to the Maserati Granturismo. Here are some popular Maserati Granturismo alternatives:

NEW RELEASE
Jeep Avenger revealed for 2023
NEW RELEASE
Ferrari Purosangue revealed
NEW RELEASE
Ford Mustang revealed for 2023
NEW RELEASE
New BMW M2 has been revealed
NEW RELEASE
Electric SUV coming soon
NEW RELEASE
Popular hatchback gets an update