Maserati GranTurismo S

Our verdict

Not just a hopped-up GranTurismo, the S adds a half a litre capacity and a whole heap more focus to the slightly lardy GT-centric GranTurismo. It makes the S into one of the best cars on sale today, bar none. And with the ‘Sport’ button pressed, one of the loudest

Comfort

Still maintains a thoroughly compliant ride even with the wick turned up. You’ll also be able to get four six-foot tall individuals in there for journeys of more than a millisecond, which has to be a true practicality bonus.

Performance

The engine is now a 4.7-litre version of the 4.2 that the Maser previously sported; essentially now a version of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione mill. You know you want this even though it has an 1880kg body to lug around; 440bhp, 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds and 183mph – the fastest production Maserati ever made. Job done. Bella Pasta.

Cool

 See it, want it, abandon wife and kids for it. Sorry, sell wife and kids for it. So yes, quite cool

Quality

Everything about the GTS smells of sweetness, even the leather.Exactly the same as the GT but with ‘sportier’ front seats and some interior body-colour inserts. Beware the alcantara/leather seats if you’re over six-foot though – they can be uncomfortable. Nothing falls off – which is a step change from the older Maseratis.

Handling

Removes the standard car’s predisposition to ride well rather than go fast, but the S is so much more than a go-faster GranTurismo. New suspension with single-rating dampers make for much more grip and 10-percent less body roll – but don’t expect clinical Porsche handling balance – this is a big fat Italian opera star.

Practicality

Amazingly practical for a car that looks like pure porn. Like discovering a nymphomaniac Page 3 girl that can also cook and enjoys doing freelance accounts. You can get four men in the GT, though why you’d want to is beyond me. Luggage space is adequate for four, good for two.

Running costs

Repeat of the standard car but slightly worse; group 20 insurance, 345g/km and high servicing mean that the GT remains in the ‘Italian exotica’ bracket for running costs. Be scared people, this isn’t a VW Golf 1.4. Residuals are pretty solid so far – they’ll get better if the quality stands up.