The last Maserati we drove was the MC20 Cielo, a gloriously styled two-seater convertible. Somewhat more practical is this GranTurismo Trofeo, although don’t think you’ll be trading in your Volvo SUV.
It sits below the MC20, providing 90% of the visual drama and appeal but without the price tag. Well, more or less. At a rounding error under £160,000, it’s impossible to ignore how much it costs.
It’s also impossible not to appreciate its elegance. The sculpted lines, long hood, and aggressive front grille are unmistakably Maserati, with some strong MC20 hints at the front and back of the car. The Trofeo carries a few distinctive flourishes — most notably the carbon-fibre trim and some sporty accents — which subtly hint that this thing will talk the talk that its walk promises.
Underneath the bonnet — a seemingly endless slice of metal that disappears ahead of the driver reaching for the horizon — is a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 delivering 550hp. Use it all and it launches to 62mph in just 3.5 seconds and will go on to reach 199mph if you find a piece of tarmac long enough.
On the drenched roads of Hampshire, it’s hard to qualify just how quick the car is. The Trofeo’s rear-wheel-drive setup and precise steering make it feel light and nimble for a car of its size, although it never entirely masked its width, but there wasn’t an opportunity to safely explore what it’s capable of.
The adaptive suspension system made a clear difference though, firming up to provide excellent body control in corners while still delivering a smooth ride over uneven surfaces. If a run along the M3 trying to avoid flooded side roads was anything to go by, it has all the hallmarks of being a car well suited to covering a trans-continental dash to Monaco,
The interior has been kitted out with digital screens — there are three of them, ranging from 8.8 inches to 12.3 inches, covering every inch of the dashboard that isn’t leather or carbon fibre. Strictly speaking, even the clock in the centre is another digital screen. It’s all intuitive enough, but the main infotainment display isn’t the crispest, and some menus are a little clunky. On a positive note, the digital gauge cluster is a welcome modern touch, offering clear readouts of all essential information.
Despite the high-tech installation, it’s a pleasingly premium environment. Every surface feels high quality, and the materials used clearly haven’t come from a bargain bin. Surprisingly, there’s plenty of space, with the front seats being near-perfect in their position, support and size. The rear seats will even take a couple of adults in reasonable comfort.
The car’s Sonus 19-speaker sound system is a real highlight. The sound is rich and immersive, turning the cabin into a concert hall, but at a price — it’s a £3,360 option.
It’s not the only option, either. Despite the £159,630 price tag, many of the items in our test car cost extra.
Essential safety tech like the blind spot monitor, active lane management, drowsy driver detection, traffic sign recognition, intersection collision assist, and surround-view camera all need to be paid for. You’ll also need to splash out for the digital rearview mirror, head-up display, and adaptive cruise control.
And you want it painted red? That’ll be £29,160 please.
Add it all up, and our £160k car ended up costing £212,060, and there’s nothing on there that I considered an unnecessary luxury. That puts it right in Bentley Continental Coupe territory and knocks on the door of Ferrari Roma ownership.
The Bentley is a different kind of beast, but is a top-spec Maserati a better option than an entry-level Ferrari? On the basis of our rain-soaked experience… possibly, maybe.
Model Tested: Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo
Price: £159,630
Average Joes Rating: ★★★★☆
He is the founder of Huff Media, publisher of Professional Pickup, Professional Van, Average Janes, Average Joes, and CALIBRE. His work focuses primarily on light commercial vehicles, pickups, and real-world vehicle use, with much of his time spent on manufacturer launches, industry events, and long-term vehicle testing.
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