Following its preview at the Sydney Opera House to an invitation-only crowd last month, the Maserati GranTurismo has made its Australian public debut at the Australian International Motor Show.

Edward Butler, General Manager for Maserati in Australia and New Zealand, observed that the brand had made great strides in terms of sales in the past year, with 2006 seeing Maserati hit profitability for the first time since it was bought by Fiat Auto in 1993 and 2007 certain to improve on this result. Projected worldwide sales for the Trident are 7,400 units for this year, up from 5,700 in 2006.

The Australian and New Zealand markets account for their fair share of this increase, with sales up 32 per cent year-on-year. A major part of this increase has been driven by the GranTurismo, with 140 orders taken sight unseen before the car’s launch, creating a waiting list of between 12 and 18 months. Next year, Ateco is aiming for 260 sales of the new coupe. The appeal of the car should be boosted by the standard 6-speed ZF automatic, which has boosted Quattroporte sales by 65 per cent since its introduction last year.

Priced at A$292,800, a few thousand dollars above the Quattroporte, Butler said the pricing of the GranTurismo is extremely competitive with rivals. He noted that it undercuts rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz CL500 (A$308,000) and the Aston Martin DB9 (A$340,000).
 

The GranTurismo on display at the show is resplendent in Grigio Touring paintwork, with a Rosso Corallo interior. As with the two Quattroporte Sport GTs on the stand, the leather is optional, high-quality Poltrona Frau. The Quattroportes display the two different gearbox options – the automated manual ‘Duoselect’, and the six-speed automatic, the first in the world to be redlined past 7000rpm. The Duoselect-equipped car features titanium-coloured brake calipers, alloy pedals, and carbon fibre trim, with the interior decked out in navy blue leather with red stitching. The automatic, meanwhile, is painted in Nero, with beige leather and radical di noce (walnut briarwood) highlights in the interior.

The appeal of the stand, however, is boosted immeasurably by the appearance of a genuine 250F, one of the most successful Grand Prix cars of all time. This particular example remains as beautiful as ever. A paragon of elegance, the purity of line is a major draw for visitors.

by Shant Fabricatorian in Sydney