The new model, which replaces the GranTurismo S variant in the coupe's lineup, benefits from a more powerful engine and some select styling changes to its exterior and interior.
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Starting with Toyota, the Japanese carmaker has issued a recall on a total of 427 RAV4 vehicles manufactured from November 24, 2011, through December 19, 2011, because the curtain shield airbags may not deploy. Toyota said it would check the RAV4s and if necessary, replace the assemblies. The safety recall is expected to begin in early March.
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Famed German tuning house Novitec and its Tridente division, which specializes on Maserati models, decided to step in and offer owners of the GT MC Stradale an upgrade package that focuses on the performance aspect.
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This Sport pack is said to enhance the GranTurismo S Automatic's performance by adding the MC Auto Shift software that allows for faster gear changes and a revised exhaust system, which keeps its bypass valves fully open in Sport mode to provide what the company describes as "an even richer sound".
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Under the bonnet, the 4.7-liter V8 engine is boosted from 440-horses to 492HP via a software optimization program and a new custom exhaust system.
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Set to make its world premiere at this month's Paris motorshow, the more hardcore GranTurismo MC Stradale is claimed to be "the fastest, lightest and most powerful car in the Maserati range" when it goes on sale in the first quarter of 2011.
The Mansory GT and GTS features a new front spoiler, radiator grille, bonnet, deeper door sills, rear spoiler, exhaust inlay, rear apron and rear diffuser. All of these add-ons are carbon fibre and made in-house by Mansory.
So how do you further improve the Maserati GranTurismo coupe? Well, for one you start off with the sportiest model of the range, the 440HP GranTurismo S. Then you begin upgrading it with a bunch of mechanical and styling parts from the company's newly launched "MC Sport Line" customization catalogue.Maserati did not say which items from the lineup made their way onto the limited edition GranTurismo S MC Sport Line, but we do know that only 12 examples finished in a Matt White "ice" color will be built and sold exclusively to customers in the Middle East.
And if you're wondering why twelve cars, Maserati said it's because that's the number of world titles won by the firm's MC12 racer in the FIA GT International Championship since 2005, but also because twelve are the Middle East cities where Maserati is present with a dedicated showroom.
Each example of the GraTurismo S MC Sport Line will feature an internal plaque with the name of the city to which it is committed.
Later on, Maserati will produced a second run of 11 units of the car, this time finished in a Matt Bianco Fuji with pearlescent nuances, all of which will be destined for its home market in Italy.
By far one of the most beatiful GT's in the market, the Maserati GranTurismo S is also one of the most potent cars ever manufactured by the Italian automaker. But for companies like Novitec, there's always room for perfection. The German boutique's latest pitch straps on a supercharger to the GranTurismo S' V8 boosting output from 440HP to 600HP while the mechanical upgrades are complemented by subtle aerodynamic package and 20 / 21-inch alloy wheels.
In detail, Novitec's Tridente arm fitted a newly developed supercharger to the GranTurismo S' 4.7-liter V8 while other changes include a water-to-air intercooler, a new intake system and larger injectors plus new mapping for the engine electronics. The conversion that is priced at €23,681 $31,800 boosts power from 440HP to 600HP while peak torque grows from 490 Nm to 588 Nm at 5,400 rpm.
The result is a sprint time of 4.5 seconds from standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) and 14.6 seconds to 200km/h (124mph) that represent an improvement of 0.4 and 2.6 seconds respectively over the standard production car. Furthermore, top speed grows from 295 to 315 km/h (196mph).
Aside from the usual suspension tweaks, the German tuning house also offers a height adjustable suspension system that raises front and rear axle by 40 millimeters at the push of button to overcome everyday obstacles like speed bumps or parking ramps. If the suspension is not lowered by the driver it'll revert to the normal level automatically once the car reaches a speed of 80 km/h or 50mph.
Another aspect of Novitec's programm for the GranTurismo concerns the coupe's exterior that has been upgraded with a subtle bodykit that includes front spoiler lips, rocker panels and a boot lid spoiler. Optionally, Novitec offers all of the above the components with a clear-coated carbon-fiber finish. The coupe's looks are finished off with a three-piece alloy wheels available in various color combinations in size 9Jx20 in front and in size 12.5Jx21 on the rear axle. The alloys are shod in high-performance Pirelli tires in sizes 275/30 ZR 20 and 355/25 ZR 21.
The debate is still on here at Carscoop whether or not the GranTurismo is hotter than the brunette model that accompanied the show car, but while we try to come to a conclusion let us see the latest Maserati in detail. For the first time, the Italian automaker is offering an automatic transmission (6-speed) on the sportiest variant of the GranTurismo, the S, which comes with a 4.7-liter V8 making 440HP at 7000 rpm and 490Nm of torque at 4750 rpm.Like the stick-shift GranTurismo S, the Automatic features some discreet stylistic changes which distinguish it from the 4.2-liter V8 model such as the new under-door mini-skirts featuring a prominent shape and new 20-inch wheel rims.
