TURISMO ATTRACTION

The editor loves Maseratis, especially of the grand-touring kind. Does the new GranTurismo rock his world?

- Pablo Chaterji

I first drove a Maserati 13 years ago. It was the newly-launched GranCabrio Sport-a slightly more powerful version of the GranCabrio that Maserati had launched a year previously - and the experience forever changed the concept of what a desirable car was to me. Until then, it had been all about the usual suspects Porsches, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Bentleys and the like; the Maserati name existed in the background, like a somewhat shy party guest.

I'd heard many wonderful things about the brand, and the closest I'd come to one in the flesh before the GranCabrio was the Indy, a magnificent GT (belonging to a certain fugitive) that I was not allowed to drive; that privilege was reserved for Srini. You can well imagine why I became so excited when Bijoy asked me to go to Italy and drive the GranCabrio Sport; it was the perfect opportunity to tick a rather svelte box off my list.

To cut to the chase, I had the time of my life with that car. Looking back at what I wrote about it, I now feel a tad embarrassed about the kind of language I employed, but my emotions were as real as a heart attack, I assure you. Here are some examples:

The GranCabrio is the sort of car that makes you spontaneously combust with sheer, electric desire."

'This car looks like it has flames billowing from its rear when it's standing perfectly still; it literally sizzles and pops."

The V8's growl goes directly from the soles of your feet to the pleasure-centres of your brain.'

That sinful engine will sing an aria worthy of Pavarotti at his well-fed best.'

'I would rob banks and diddle the stock market in order to get my hands on it.'

'I can claim, hand on heart, that it is arguably the most beautiful car in the world.'