Score One for the BOOMERS

We thought the electric GranTurismo was pretty impressive, but then we drove the hotter of the two V6 versions

- Georg Kacher

FOUR HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FIVE kilograms. That is four rugby players or three MotoGP bikes or a horse. It is also the weight difference between the all-electric Folgore version of the new Maserati Gran Turismo, as featured in one of our earlier First Drives, and the car we are testing here. This is the Trofeo, the more powerful of the two V6 versions of the Gran Turismo using the Nettuno engine that is such an important part of the MC20.

Where the MC20 is a pure sports car, the Gran Turismo is a serious effort to make a car that is a GT in more than just name, a fast and luxurious car that is still dynamically thrilling but capable of long multi-occupant journeys-something that can hold its head high in the company of the Ferrari Roma, Mercedes SL, and Porsche 911 Turbo.

It is a good-looking piece of kit, the new Gran Turismo, no doubt about that. Stance and proportions are spot on, while the longer wheelbase compared to the last version allows the previously token rear seats to evolve into perfectly acceptable short-distance accommodation. The gaping trademark grille shouts Maserati from a distance, the front and rear light signature is MC20 but with a twist, and there are plenty of neat details to be discovered, such as the re-imagined clock in the now fully digital instrument panel and plenty of embossed, embroidered, and electronically animated trident logos.

The old Ferrari-sourced V8 is fondly remembered, but Maserati insist that the Nettuno is not only smaller and lighter, allowing a lower centre of gravity and 52:48 front-rear weight distribution, it is also both more economical and brings better performance (although Maserati are being rather reluctant to share the fuel economy figures, from which you will draw your own conclusions).