Imagine squeezing off immediate and violent upshifts via the steering-mounted paddles, one after another. The Italian four camshaft V8 singing marvellous notes on the way to its 7600 rpm redline, instantaneously changing from one gear to the next. Just like GranTurismo 4, except for the 390 bhp thrust that feels like a jumbo jet approaching takeoff speeds. I had a big smile on my face and was giggling like a two-year old. Have you ever wondered if any car is really worth a crore of rupees? I am now convinced that any car that can turn a male adult into a giggling kid is worth it, no matter whether it costs a crore or several.
Maserati was founded in 1914. Their reputation was built producing magnificent sports and racing cars. After numerous ownership changes in the 1970s including Citroen and De Tomaso, that period of excellence came to an end in the 1980s. Fiat Auto came to the rescue in 1994 and within a few years, handed the reigns over to Ferrari. Ferrari had a desire to increase their volume with more practical cars but did not want to dilute their brand. Maserati was the answer, an everyday Ferrari for a bargain price. The exotic materials used to bring down weight along with a corresponding increase in cost were dropped, resulting in a porky 1,750 kg kerb weight. The engine is close to the real thing from the 360 Modena. Ferrari increased the displacement a little and the tune is slightly less radical. Although it is much quieter and does not wail like a Ferrari, the sounds are surely Italian. The Maserati Coupe and Spyder were designed by none other than Italdesign. The car is absolutely gorgeous. At the same time, it is not a Ferrari. It is beautiful to the eye without being a showoff. The easily measurable compliments/24 hours statistic was on the high side.
The interior is pretty stark, all black plastic of a decent quality except for the ornate analogue clock and chrome-ringed instruments. There is a full complement of features including power seats, navigation, HID lamps, automatic climate control and power folding mirrors. The stereo sounds pretty decent but it’s no competition for the engine. The heater can cause global warming all by itself, which is always appreciated in an open car. There is a sport button on the console which speeds up the gearshifts, firms up the Skyhook active suspension and tightens the throttle response. The difference in all three areas is substantial, and I have verified that the button works as advertised. After satisfying my curiosity by turning it off for a few brief moments, the rest of the test was in sport mode. The fully lined soft top is as quiet as a hardtop when raised. Other than pressing a button, the power mechanism requires no human intervention. There is no manual header latch or boot. It is a real treat to watch the folding top in action as it disappears under a hinged metal panel that dances along with the top during operation.
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