When we last saw the Maserati GranTurismo, it was in a rather sorry state. Its exterior styling (despite updates) had roots that dated all the way back to the George W. Bush administration, while its technology had just as many cobwebs to deal with. As a result, the outgoing GranTurismo was an odd duck that was rapidly falling behind rivals. Maserati knew that it couldn’t go on like this any longer, and it has unveiled the 2024 Maserati GranTurismo, which gets all-new styling while also getting a massive infusion of new technology. But is all of this enough to help the model finally be on par with many of its rivals? Or is it a case of two steps forward and one step back?
Canvas Thy Name Is GranTurismo
To find out, we visited our local Maserati dealership in Troy, Michigan, where our hosts were kind enough to allow us to spend some time with the GranTurismo in a parked setting (we hope to cover the driving part in the future), but even this static glimpse of the Maserati allowed us to appreciate just how far the styling goes in its attempts to shed its dated image. GranTurismo designer Klause Busse decided against doing a full revamp of the design and instead focused on enhancing some of the previous generation’s strong points (while removing its weaknesses at the same time.) The look has plenty of MC20 DNA in its flanks, but the GranTurismo’s sheet metal is stretched out more, and the organic-looking headlights do a better job of meshing with the trademark Maserati front grille.
The coupe profile allows the car to have a strong presence when viewed from the side, with the lower portion featuring a prominent design line that flows towards the rear of the GranTurismo. The rear end is arguably where the most welcome changes take place, with the original’s garish-looking taillights being replaced with slimmer lenses that are crisper and embrace LED technology, with the lenses also flowing into the rear fenders. Our white-hued Modena example made some of these elements pop when out in the bright sunshine that dotted the sky during our visit, and it’s hard to ignore the unique look that a Maserati brings to the conversation. That said, the GranTurismo will also be facing off against an equally revitalized pool of rivals, including the Aston Martin DB12, Bentley Continental GT, and the LC 500. With fresh competition like this, Maserati will have its work cut out for it when it comes to making the GranTurismo stand out, especially among wealthy buyers.
New Technology Has Welcome Upgrades, Still Has Slight Stellantis Smell
The interior of the 2024 Maserati GranTurismo retains its two-plus-two layout, with the two-door body hiding a cabin with two front seats and two smaller rear seats. The rear accommodations continue to be best left for children, cargo, and your mother-in-law, but the roofline doesn’t cut too much into headroom, and in theory, it would allow an average size adult to endure intermediate-length journeys back there. However, Maserati prefers that you focus your attention on front-seat accommodations anyway, where there are plenty of changes to be found.
The cabin itself gets higher quality materials, and the leather front seats get revised bolstering and cushioning to help them be more balanced in both support and comfort. Maserati also baked in plenty of amenities throughout the space, with frontward visibility being improved from the outgoing model while ergonomics for the controls have been vastly improved over the previous generation. Maserati designers also tried to move away from using too many parts from the Stellantis parts bin (like in the Levante and the Ghibli), and while there are some parts bin bits scattered about, they are mostly in unseen areas and are typically meant to play a behind the scenes role.
Our Modena example is the lowest rung in the GranTurismo trim ladder, but you wouldn’t know it when you look at the infotainment system that Maserati has provided. Unlike the old system, which was archaic and very frustrating to use, this latest system is a Google-based unit that features a dual-screen setup, with the main 12.3-inch touchscreen covering the bulk of the functions while the smaller 8.8-inch screen houses the climate controls. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and the GranTurismo even comes with a standard heads-up display. Italian sound system maker Sonus Faber even provided the sound system for the GranTurismo, and while the 19 speakers inside provide impressive amounts of sound quality, the speaker grilles on the doors manage to look visually appealing and very elegant, which is something that can’t be said for a few of its rivals.
ICE or EV The Choice Is Yours With GranTurismo
Maserati confirmed that it’s making a big leap into the EV universe with its planned Folgore lineup of EVs, which will include the GranTurismo, MC20, Grecale, and others. For now, though, the first wave of GranTurismo models will only be available in ICE form, with all models being powered by the same 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged Nettuno V6 that also sees duty in the MC20 supercar. Unlike that model, though, the GranTurismo’s is slightly detuned, but horsepower will depend on which trim level you choose. Modena models get the base tune which makes 483 hp while the spicier Trofeo model gets tweaks that see its horsepower go up to 542 hp. No V8s are planned, and it will also not offer a manual transmission either, but Maserati promises that the eight-speed automatic in the GranTurismo will deliver the goods regarding shift quality and handling. Sadly, dealership rules prevented us from going on a drive this time, but we look forward to having an opportunity to rectify that in the future to see how the V6 copes with the rigors of daily driving.
Later on, the GranTurismo will also get an all-electric Folgore version, with this model being powered by three electric motors that all work together to produce a combined system output of 818 horsepower. The model also promises to be the sportiest GranTurismo ever created, but buyers will have to wait a while to see that model come to our shores, with the Folgore possibly coming to dealerships towards the end of the year or in early 2024.
Value Quotient
@carlmalek @Maserati is out to #reshape its image with the all new #maseratigranturismo new #styling moves it out of the #doldrums while the #interior and #engine get a #revamp too this 2024 model has a base price of $175k with this one at our local dealer having a $198k as filmed price. #maserati #maseratigranturismo #2024maseratigranturismo #luxurycars #luxurycarsoftiktok #luxurycars #supercarsoftiktok #italiancars #italiancars🇮🇹
Pricing for the 2024 Maserati GranTurismo starts at $174,000, with our optioned Modena example having a final sticker of just over $198,000. Meanwhile, the Trofeo starts at $205,000, and while Maserati is not prepared to release U.S. Folgore pricing just yet, look for that model to command a hefty premium over its ICE-powered siblings. As a whole, the 2024 Maserati GranTurismo is certainly a step in the right direction for Maserati. While we will miss the elegant sight of a Ferrari V8 lurking under the hood, Maserati knows that it has to evolve to survive, and models like the 2024 GranTurismo with smaller engines and BEV variants will help it cope with evolving mandates as well as changing standards for both ICE and EV technology.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.