Very recently Naza Italia, official
distributors for Maserati in Malaysia launched the Maserati
GranTurismo Sport. This grand tourer is a fabulous looking, and
sounding car. It comes with a 4.7liter V8 which makes 460hp and 520Nm
torque running the rear wheels via a 6 speed automatic transmission.
This is actually a great car for one to head down south to Singapore
or up north to Krabi for those inter-peninsula jaunts that genuine
petrolheads should occasionally do.
Anyway, what we found out from the
launch are:
- The 2013 Maserati Granturismo Sport will be
priced from RM1,118,000.00. Affordable from the likes of last year's
sales figures for Malaysia (see below).
- Malaysia is the third largest market
for Asia Pacific. Quite surprising as Asia Pacific includes
Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and China. These countries are full of
billionaires and Italian car collectors.
- Maserati sold over 3,500 cars worldwide
last year (2012) and aim to sell 50,000 cars by 2016. This will be
achieved when Maserati launches their SUV, a smaller 4 door saloon
and a smaller entry level coupe.
- Last year Maserati sold 27 cars in
Malaysia. This year Naza Italia is aiming for 40 with the launch of
the Granturismo Sport. There are 27 people who basically bought
something other than a Porsche, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Bentley and
Rolls Royce. This also means that supercars are still affordable in
Malaysia. Ridiculous tax and duty aside. It also tells you that
instead of whining and complaining, we should all work harder and try
buy our supercars in such a competitive climate.
- The Maserati Granturismo Sport will be
the entry level Maserati for Malaysia. It seems Naza Italia has
decided that Malaysian Maserati customers will not go for the 'basic'
Granturismo. The basic Granturismo has a smaller 4.2liter, 405hp car.
I suppose since you're going to spend a million Ringgit you should
have at least 460hp. And what's an extra 400cc of road tax while
you're at it.
- Maserati will not be competiting in any
motorsport events in Malaysia for the time being. This I should know
as I personally asked Mr Gaetano Marino, Regional Director Maserati
Asia Pacific about it. Maserati Trofeo is a nice one make series that
is pretty interesting for those that are interested. I also wish a
customer would participate in one of Sepang's endurance races with
one (like one or two Aston Martin customers who have done so).
(Seated, left to right - The very dapper Encik Wan Ahmad GM Naza Italia, Mr Gaetano Marino Regional Director Maserati Asia Pacific, Datuk Wira SM Faisal Tan Sri Nasimuddin Joint Group Executive Chairman / CEO Naza Group of Companies and Datuk Maruan Mohd Said Senior VP 4 Wheels Naza Motor Group)
Anyway, the Maserati Granturismo Sport
is a fabulous car. It has that beautiful Ferrari designed V8 engine
that barks out a heavenly sound. It is nothing like the V8 in a
Ferrari as it does without the flat plane crank that Ferrari uses in
its cars. It rumbles. It does not shriek. More like an Aston Martin
V8 or a Mercedes-AMG V8. Not as bassy as the AMG, but velvety. You
got to experience it for yourself. AND I have to mention that the flappy pedals behind that fancy steering wheel must be one of the nicest and most tactile pedal shifters I have felt in a while.
The event was just a launch and preview
of the Granturismo Sport. Now hopefully Maserati would let me drive
one so that I can get to write to you guys about it.
Oh, there was a very tall lady wearing a sash - Miss Universe Malaysia 2013 who is Maserati Malaysia's spokesperson.
