Used 2019 Maserati GranTurismo

The 2019 Maserati GranTurismo is, as its romantic name suggests, a grand tourer. Or GT. That means it’s not an out-and-out sports machine with a suspension that will blur vision over washboard-surface freeways though perfect for challenging, technical turns. Instead, the GranTurismo is a high-class, high-style cruiser whose levels of agility are creditable rather than crazy.

On this rarefied GT totem, the Maserati GranTurismo slots above things like the Porsche 911, Mercedes-AMG GT and the upcoming BMW 8 Series. But below cars like the Bentley Continental and Aston Martin DB11. That’s according to price.

Using technology as a measure, however, this graceful Italian conveyance is fast becoming outdated by newer rivals. It does have a special selling point, though. Its V8 engine is sourced from Ferrari. One listen to the glorious exhaust note makes that perfectly clear.

Listen to that Ferrari-built V8. Smell the fine Italian leather. Feel the excellent steering.

As well as being a treat for the eyes, ears and nose, the Maserati GranTurismo appeals to the hands and the seat of the pants. There’s an upside to not being the most modern grand tourer on the block and it’s called “hydraulic power steering.” Everyone else is going over to electric assistance. There are some good reasons for doing so, but great steering feel isn’t necessarily one of them. This older-school method manages to impart information on what the front tires are up to; it engages a driver.

The adaptive suspension can also go from relaxed to playful yet always refined, while the Brembo brakes (supplier to many top-notch manufacturers) have confidence-inspiring stopping power. The sprint time from standstill to 60 mph is just under five seconds, not that impressive in this class, but what really matters are the sensations, the entire experience.

It may not matter to a 2019 Maserati GT Convertible buyer if the cabin isn’t as ultra-modern as some rivals. Not when there are comfortable seats covered in supple leather and polished wood trim to enjoy. Or optional accents of carbon fiber.

There’s still a distinct air of class about it. Roll-over protection comes in the form of pop-up bars. The power 3-layer-fabric roof does a great job of insulating and deploys in 24 seconds, while traveling up to 20 mph if necessary. Naturally, allocating space to stow the roof has an impact on trunk area — the GT Convertible can offer only 6.1 cubic feet.

Thank Pininfarina for these wonderful, sleek, sensual lines. This famed Italian design studio is responsible for most of Ferrari’s designs right from the early days, which have now become classics.

The shapes and proportions of the Maserati GranTurismo follow in that tradition of long hood and tight tail that never seems to get old. Each trim level includes 20-inch wheels and there’s a choice of colors for the fabric roof.

INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM
We mention the GranTurismo’s age, but at least it now comes with an 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, plus Apple CarPlay/Android Auto smartphone integration.

SPORT BUTTON
The GranTurismo’s adjustable suspension has a special name: Skyhook. And the car has selectable driving modes. Put it in Sport to firm up the ride, and sharpen responses of the transmission and throttle.

We’ll go into pricing below, but given the substantial cost of a 2019 Maserati GT Convertible, the list of standard equipment is far from generous.

Yes, there’s leather upholstery, heated front seats, wood accents, dual-zone automatic climate control, adjustable suspension, rear parking sensors, 8.4-inch infotainment touchscreen, navigation, smartphone integration, power trunk opening, garage-door opener, Bluetooth, satellite radio, and an 11-speaker/825-watt Harman Kardon audio system. But it seems like there’s a premium for the whole Maserati mystique mixed with Ferrari firepower and Pininfarina styling.

A wind deflector is an extra $800, which a) seems really pricey for what it is and b) shouldn’t it be standard in a luxury/sports convertible? As well as the new cosmetic packages mentioned above, a 2019 GT Convertible buyer may select perforated leather for the upholstery.

Sport trim is also eligible for an MC package that brings aluminum pedals and a carbon-fiber rear wing. The MC trim has a fixed, sportier suspension, carbon-fiber hood, and a few visual differences. Both cars offer the option of the other model’s suspension.

Sadly, there are no modern driver aids available, such as automatic emergency braking or blind-spot monitoring.

Thank Ferrari (Maserati’s sister company) for this fabulous 4.7-liter V8, endowing the Maserati GranTurismo Convertible with 454 horsepower and 384 lb-ft of torque. This goes to the rear wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission (with shift paddles mounted beneath the steering wheel).

This transmission also includes an Ice mode, so the car sets off in second gear, therefore reducing the risk of wheelspin. The sportier MC model doesn’t have any more muscle, but sprints from a standstill to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds, as opposed to the Sport version’s 4.9 seconds. Top speed is 177 mph (Sport) or 179 mph (MC).

4.7-liter V8
454 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm
384 lb-ft of torque @ 4,750 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/20 mpg