The very last Maserati GranTurismo has been produced, after 12 years in production. That means congratulations are in order for the Nissan GT-R. It’s now the only super sports car from the last decade still on sale.
On a serious note, the departure of the GranTurismo is as sad as it is expected. The final car is called the GranTurismo Zéda and is described as ‘the bridge which connects the past, the present and the future’.
It will be going on tour, serving as a goodbye to the outgoing car, while Maserati talks about what comes next.
The paint scheme on the car is supposed to represent this transition. A lively metallic blue transitions through a ‘metallurgic’ hue to a dirty white at the back.
The factory in Modena is now being prepared for the GranTurismo’s successor. Big change is coming, as Maserati has hinted that the car, influenced by the Alfieri concept of 2014, will be all-electric. Grand touring cars have been the marque’s staple for more than 60 years, so whatever comes next has big shoes to fill, and a long lineage to follow.
As for the GranTurismo itself? It felt a touch antiquated not long after it came out. Its character evolved, from stately, stylish GT to fire-spitting hot-rod. For all its flaws, it aged like a fine wine. The frustration of its antiquity never quite outweighed its charm.
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Revealed as a coupe in March 2007, the GranCabrio version followed in 2009. The S variant took things up a notch in 2008, with a 434hp 4.7-litre V8 (up from 4.2 litres and 399hp).
The biggest upgrade, however, was to the big Maser’s vocals. The guttural howl of this Ferrari-sourced V8 is unmistakeable, and a staple of all GranTurismo variants going forward, be it the hardcore MC Stradale, upgraded MC Sport Line or outgoing GranTurismo Sport.
During its 12 years in production, more than 40,000 GranTurismo and GranCabrios were sold, of which 28,805 were the former.
Goodbye, GranTurismo. We’ll miss you. The grand tourer segment just got a lot quieter.
