Maserati GranTurismo Modena review: daily driver

Damien O’Carroll
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Specifications

See All See All
Base price
$320,000
Body type
coupe
Fuel Type
premium unleaded
Maximum power kW
365
Maximum torque Nm
600
0-100 km/h
3.9
Pros
  • Sensational looks
  • Impressively agile and suitably sporty
  • Interior quality worthy of a $300k+ car
Cons
  • Engine comes across as a bit lifeless down low
  • Unintuitive push button gear selector
  • Finnicky infotainment touchscreens

I’m going to say this right up front before we even start: I’ve never really been a “big coupe” kinda guy.

While I can totally get behind the idea of a two-door sporty car, or a large sports sedan, some combination of the two has never really lit my fire. As far as I am concerned, it is simply the worst of both worlds, rather than the best.

MASERATI GRANTURISMO: Powertrain 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol V6, 8-speed automatic Output 365kW/600Nm Efficiency 10.2l/100km Size 4881mm long, 1955kg Price $320,000.

Sure, you get the sleek looks of a coupe combined with the space and luxury only a larger car can properly offer, but this, to me at least, is far outweighed by the fact that you also get the size and associated weight of a larger car combined with the impracticality of a two-door car.

Unless you are going full-on pointless and spectacularly silly with something huge packing an equally massive 12-cylinder engine like the terrifyingly fast Aston Martin Vanquish or a V12 Ferrari of some kind, there really isn’t any point in big coupes. Go properly big or go home.

The new GranTurismo doesn't deviate much from the formula, but it does make things lower, sleeker and sexier.

As a result, I have always largely looked upon the “big coupe” segment as being in the same vein as the “sporty SUV” segment – a bit pointless and largely about image.

Not the best attitude to approach the V6-powered Maserati GranTurismo with, I grant you, but I was heading into it with a strong feeling that Maserati’s latest big coupe might just be the one to change my opinion. After all, I had previously driven it on the track at Hampton Downs and came away genuinely impressed with its lithe handling and committed performance, so maybe it would enlighten me to the charm of big coupes during a week with it?

Spoiler alert: it didn’t. But it has come closer than pretty much any sub-12-cylinder “big coupe” I have ever driven.

An evocative badge is a big part of the charm of a luxury car, and they don't come much more evocative than the Maserati trident.

The latest incarnation of the GranTurismo sits on the same platform as the Maserati Grecale SUV, which means AWD as standard, and power supplied courtesy of the Maserati’s Nettuno twin-turbo V6 which, in this entry level Modena, produces 360kW and 600Nm.

I have always largely looked upon the “big coupe” segment as being in the same vein as the “sporty SUV” segment – a bit pointless and largely about image.

If you want more power, then the Trofeo ups the ante with a powered up 405kW/650Nm version of the Nettuno and a more aggressive attitude. But also asks considerably more money. And then there is the triple motor electric Folgore model that takes things to an even higher (and excitingly more expensive) level, but that is for another time, as it is yet to land here.

The Modena's mighty "Nettuno" V6 does duty in a number of Maseratis, including the brutal MC20.

The power delivery from the V6 in the Modena is somewhat deceptive. Drive it slowly and sensibly around town and it feels docile to the point of feeling unresponsive and almost underwhelming.

It has plenty of torque and tends to rely solely on that at lower revs, with a flat, undramatic delivery that makes it wonderfully relaxed and easy to drive at urban speeds but does leave you wondering how the GranTurismo actually scampers from 0 to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds like Maserati claims.

But crank the revs up and it becomes apparent that the Nettuno V6 is hiding a secret as power delivery becomes considerably sharper and more aggressive with the rising revs, and the Modena becomes far more engaging with more urgent throttle responses and proper flashes of sports car style eagerness.

The interior is beautifully put together and seriously luxurious.

While not a small car by any means, the GranTurismo is nicely agile and beautifully balanced on the road, turning in sharply and tracking through corners with impressive accuracy.

If the Trofeo is a racy R16 movie, then the Modena delivers more PG-rated family-friendly thrills.

The sound of a twin-turbo V6 is never going to be as evocative as a V8, but Maserati has done a good job of making what is often the most boring sounding engine configuration sound quite characterful, with the GranTurismo producing a deep barrel-chested bellow when given a bootfull of throttle, rising to a hard-edged howl at higher revs.

Ever since the 3200GT Maserati has had a sexy two-door grand tourer in its range.

All of this makes for a pleasantly satisfying experience when driving the Modena enthusiastically, and while it isn’t as exhilarating and ferocious as the Trofeo, it isn’t supposed to be; if the Trofeo is a racy R16 movie, then the Modena delivers more PG-rated family-friendly thrills.

Of course, all of this is done in an atmosphere of impressive comfort and luxury, as you would expect from a $320,000 car, with the GranTurismo boasting a beautifully put-together interior and seriously high quality materials.

It is also packed with all the expected technology, something that niche brands like Maserati have traditionally struggled to include, with even the driver assists being well-considered and unintrusive.

No, the Modena didn't change my mind on big coupes (if you could give me everything it offers in sedan form I would be an instant fan! A new Quattroporte, perhaps?), but it still impresses with its sheer user friendliness, breadth of abilities and sporty character. Plus it looks utterly stunning, so it comes very close indeed to changing my mind.

What are the key statistics for the Maserati GranTurismo Modena?

The GranTurismo is powered by the same 3.0-litre twin turbo V6 as the Grecale SUV and MC20 sports car, with the Modena using the lower state of tune to produce 365kW and 600Nm. It also sits on the same platform as the Grecale, so is likewise AWD, albeit with more of a RWD bias than the SUV.

Is the Maserati GranTurismo Modena efficient?

For a big sporty coupe it's actually not too bad, with Maserati claiming 102L/100km for the combined test cycle. And it is actually pretty easy to better this, thanks to the V6's relaxed nature down low in its revs. Wind it up, however, and all that goes out the window...

Is the Maserati GranTurismo Modena good to drive?

Yes it is. While it was surprisingly engaging on a race track, its docile nature down low makes it equally agreeable at urban speeds. This amenable nature does mean it can feel a little underwhelming at low speeds, but it does make it far better (and more economical) to live with as a daily driver.

Is the Maserati GranTurismo Modena practical?

Let's face it, if you are after a big coupe then practicality isn't really on your radar. I mean, you might use the fact it is big enough to have a back seat as a reasonable justification for buying it, but it the reality is that they are awkward to access and you have really just got a big car that essentially has the practicality of a small one. It does have a decent boot though.

What do we like about the Maserati GranTurismo Modena?

Sharp handling and satisfying performance make the Modena a standout on a winding back road (or, indeed, at a track day), while the interior quality is top-notch and the seating position is superbly comfortable for taller drivers. And have you seen it? I mean, just look at it...

What don’t we like about the Maserati GranTurismo Modena?

Literally every time I went to shift into drive, reverse or park on the push button gear selector I had to pause and actually look at what I was doing - maybe it's just me, but I found it deeply unintuitive to use. Also the pair of infotainment touchscreens were a tad slow to respond, making for finnicky interactions.

What kind of person would the Maserati GranTurismo Modena suit?

Somebody who wants a comfortable and luxurious large coupe that looks fantastically sexy and can actually offer up satisfaction in terms of both performance and handling. Also someone who has a decent-sized garage - it's almost 5 metres long!

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