Driving Sports

Maserati has this thing going where they're going to unveil a new model at every international auto show this year. Which sounds interesting, but really, they're just highlighting a different variation on their existing models. Yet, that's good enough, because Maserati is really on a roll with some great cars these days.

The Gran Turismo is certainly right at the top of Maserati's fleet this year. With its Ferrari-derived 4.7-liter V8 delivering 433 HP at 7000 rpm and 361 pound-feet of torque, the Gran Turismo will do a healthy 0-60 in 4.9 seconds and boasts a top speed of 183 MPH.

So what's special about the Geneva unveiling? It's an automatic. Ordinarily, we'd say Boo to that notion - maybe the 4-door Quattroporte works with a slushbox, but the Gran Turismo? Just LOOK at that car - It's hot buttered sexy goodness on wheels!

But of course, Maserati's not gifting their hot ride with the transmission from your grandfather's Buick Regal. It's got a ZF-built 6-speed auto, and Maserati has retained their premium 4.7-liter plant this time - past automatics were reduced to 4.2 liters. The big motivator has also been offered with the "clutchless manual" electronically activated transmission in the past. "The Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic stresses the original granturismo concept while at the same time offering peak performance," says the Maserati press release.

Of course, the Maserati comes with all the bells and whistles you might expect - including continuously adjustable suspension, every electronic knick-knack known to man, and some extra sporty trim bits that will be unique to the "Automatica" version. And it can be yours for the cool figure of about $135,000.