In the pantheon of modern classics, this era of Maserati is surely the very embodiment of the phrase itself. With a trident on the nose and a Ferrari-derived V8 under the bonnet, this car represents an impressive chapter in the marque’s history. When it came time to develop a grand tourer in the traditional style for the 2007 model-year, the result was something elegant and spacious with desirable styling, a powerful and torque-rich eight-cylinder engine, and the long-leggedness to waft its occupants across continents in style. The name for this quintessential gran turismo? Why, they called it Maserati GranTurismo. But of course. 

This example has a stellar specification, with the sparkly Nero Carbonio body housing a cabin trimmed in fabulous Rosso Corallo leather. A modern GT with a classic recipe, this car offers a combination of style, power and flair that surely can’t be matched at this price point.

 

 

 

The bright red leather is a fabulous spec choice that really elevates the panache of the interior. Having been developed as a grand tourer, the cabin is a very comfortable place to find yourself; the seats are tastefully trimmed and generously padded, with electric operation in numerous directions. The car is factory-fitted with premium Bose audio; the multi-function screen all appears to be in proper working order, and the gauges and dials are working correctly, including the distinctive and all-important Maserati clock in the centre of the dash.

The leather trim on the dash, glovebox and centre console is in good condition; as is to be expected with a car of this mileage, there’s a little gentle usage wear to some of the buttons and the gearknob, but nothing overly concerning. The interior lights work, the electric windows are functioning correctly, and it’s all dry and tidy in the boot.
 

Nero Carbonio paint is a boss-level spec choice for a GranTurismo – in low light it looks like a solid black, but when the sun shines it reveals itself to be a gloriously sparkly affair. The paintwork is all in decent enough order here; as this is a car which has been regularly used and enjoyed, it’s picked up the odd stone-chip and scuff here and there along with a minor scrape to one of the sideskirts, but on the whole it presents very well. 

The alloy wheels are the optional 20” Birdcage design, finished in gloss black; there are a couple of minor kerbing grazes but generally in good condition, and they wear matching Falken tyres with good tread. The light lenses and window glass are good, the correct trim and badging is present, and the door handles have a carbon fibre effect.  

 

The venerable Ferrari-Maserati 4.2-litre V8 engine serves up a handy 399bhp and makes some glorious noises, mated to a 6-speed ZF auto with paddle-shift. The history file demonstrates a reassuring service history, and today it presents as an eminently usable machine that drives just as it should. The engine fires up eagerly and settles into a characteristic burbly idle, pulling keenly through the revs with the transmission shifting smoothly. Everything appears to be equally good with the steering, brakes and suspension; with no evident issues here, this is a performance machine that’s ready to enjoy. 

 

Cars love to be used. That’s the whole point of them, isn’t it? They’re machines to be enjoyed, rather than sat static as ornaments. It also keeps them alive – fluids need to circulate, moving parts need to keep themselves lubricated, it’s all part of the lifeblood of the machine. So it’s very reassuring to note that this GranTurismo has been regularly used and enjoyed throughout its life: the 87k on the clock keenly demonstrates that this hasn’t just been a toy, but a companion – something that’s been trusted to ferry its occupants all over, just as a grand tourer should, providing plenty of thrills along the way.

This Maserati has a very fine spec – arguably the best exterior/interior colour combo, we’d say – along with a reassuring history file. But most of all, it’s got adventure baked right into the formula: it’s racked up a bunch of very entertaining miles, and it’s very eager for more. So the big question is, where would you take it in 2023? 

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