Review: Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale – Holy Trofeo
David Khoo finds out that the latest iteration of the Maserati MC Stradale lets up to four people enjoy the V8’s rousing performance.
Dubai, UAE -
At full pelt down the sand-swept highway, the strident V8 of the Italian trident continues to raise the hackles on our backs. In the GranTurismo MC Stradale we’re in Dubai to drive, the bypass valves are only left permanently on when the car is in ‘Race’ mode; ‘Sport’ sees the V8's full exhaust repertoire invoked only above 4000rpm, although I'm sure many are familiar with the sound of regular GranTurismo variants blaring around residential areas to announce their arrival, departure, parking manoeuvres and everything else in-between.
However, on the open roads just outside of Dubai, there’s something about its rousing vocal performance that leads us to find any and every excuse to downshift, before upshifting again during the furious redline sessions we inflict on the MY14 MC Stradale (for Singapore). Sure, it may share a passing resemblance to the regular GranTurismo, but with its track-tweaked aero and dynamics (including a shortened wheelbase), it’s a very different beast to drive.
Previously a strict two-seater – the only other in the brand’s line-up since the MC12 – owners of the earlier model had a choice of half-rollcage or none. In model year 2014 guise (for Singapore at least), owners of the MC Stradale need no longer leave the other two hotties at the club’s cab-stand, since it will happily accommodate the driver and his entourage of three for shorter journeys… which in the case of Singapore, is pretty much to and from everywhere.
Tipping the scales at 1.8-tonnes, the MC Stradale is approximately 80kg lighter than the GranTurismo Sport and 155kg lighter than the ‘entry-level’ GranTurismo. It’s not particularly light by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a lively enough performer when you need it to be, so you can actually enjoy a little more ‘go’ to accompany the ‘show’.
Some of the weight savings to help overcome the added weight of the extra seats can be attributed to the vented carbonfibre bonnet and 20-inch Trofeo Design lightweight alloy rims, which also help give it that sporty appearance – the former is modelled after the bonnet on the Maserati GranTurismo MC Trofeo race-car from which the MC Stradale draws inspiration.
Inside, the front carbonfibre-shell seats further help save weight, while carbon-ceramic brakes serve the dual purpose of offering powerful, fade-free stopping power and reducing unsprung weight. From the rear, the exhaust tailpipes have been moved higher and sit even closer to the middle of the car compared to the regular GranTurismo’s.
Other versions of the GranTurismo see the service of an automatic transmission, but the MC Stradale features a semi-automated manual, which in ‘Race’ is capable of effecting seriously fast shifts of as quick as 60 milliseconds – a milestone during its launch in 2010, since this was the same shift-time as the very raw and limited Ferrari 430 Scuderia, which made its global debut in 2007.
Even more interesting is the fact that the MC Stradale also features a 599 GTO-style ‘rapid downshift’ system – at the end of a long straight as you go hard on the brakes (as you’re entering a corner), hold on to the left shift paddle and the gearbox will drop gears for you sequentially. For instance, from 4th, brake hard before the corner, keep the left paddle (for downshifts) pulled towards you and the gearbox drops to 3rd and 2nd in double-quick time for you to turn-in – and certainly faster than if one were to physically double ‘flap’ down the gearbox from 4th to 2nd.
Folks can’t seem to get enough of the GranTurismo’s soundtrack, since it’s probably one of the most charismatic V8s on the market today. To be honest, there’s an Auto mode for the MC Stradale that we tried for a short while as we drove back through town to the hotel. It’s one of those concessions to daily-drive sensibilities that is supposed to make the car more convenient to drive for those less attuned to sportscars.
If you want an Auto, buy one of the other versions. Personally, we couldn’t get enough of working our way through the gears using the paddle shifters, since you know… because race-car. Likewise, we left it in MC-Race mode for nearly the entire session, since the V8’s rousing overture is of the operatic variety… and when was the last time you heard of somebody asking Pavarotti to sing quietly?
Pedal-to-metal from standstill, the MC Stradale is decently brisk and will dispatch the 100km/h blast in 4.5 seconds, even in its current 2+2 configuration, while top speed is rated to 303km/h.
The MC Stradale is a decent all-round package, with its sporty, carbonfibre fitments, lightning-quick ‘Race’ shifts and carbon-ceramic brakes. To all outward appearances, it may seem to be a ‘track-car for the road’ – an oft-used term to describe practically everything vaguely ‘sporty’ these days – but think of the MC Stradale as something of a harder-edged grand tourer. The car’s steering is sharpish, but isn’t too twitchy for high-speed highway runs and the long wheelbase translates to progressive handling; the ride too, is never so harsh that a full complement of four on-board would be rattled into silence – if there is any silence, it’s likely because everyone is busy enjoying the V8’s soulful aria. - PHOTOS: MASERATI
NEED TO KNOW
Engine 4,691cc, 32v, V8
Power 453bhp at 7000rpm
Torque 450Nm at 4750rpm
Gearbox 6-speed MC Race-Shift semi-automated manual
Top Speed 303km/h
0-100km/h 4.5 seconds
Fuel efficiency 14.4l/100km
CO2 337g/km
Price POA
