Welcome Back: 2010 Maserati GranTurismo S

This gran tourer is every hairy-chested men's dream car

You see this is one of Dingdong Dantes' personal car. The car that he used while going for a shooting of My Beloved or Dance of the Steel Bars. What? Never heard of it? Perhaps maybe you never saw him and that car on one episode of GMA News TV's Turbo Zone.

He said that in earlier times, he often plays toy cars, G.I. Joe figures, and something else. He also told us that he often drives that kind of car for his everyday life. What was Dingdong's dream car? It varies from time to time but for now, Dingdong Dantes sticks with this, the Maserati GranTurismo S. Don't tell us where did Dingdong Dantes bought this GranTurismo car and let's be honest that the Maserati hasn't been on the Philippines yet until the official Ferrari and Maserati distributor, Autostrada Motore Inc, burst in the scene. The MC Stradale was the only GranTurismo variant sold in the Philippines but seriously, where did Dingdong bought the GranTurismo S for his personal use? Auto Trend?

Never mind but anyway, the GranTurismo S is a perfect mix of luxury and sportiness and its V8 engine churns out 440HP and 0-60mph time of 4.9 seconds. You might think that the GranTurismo has two seats like most sports car do but here, it's a 2+2 seater gran tourer because it has two at the back...which you can't fit yourself in.

It's a perfect everyday car because it has a brilliance of the sports car, the handling, and everything. You can use it anytime, anywhere, even if you're on Barong or on shorts, but no trunks because we don't see drivers going out in their trunks.

Like Dingdong Dantes, it's good to have something you're dreaming on and you can also be inspired because if you work hard, your experience will become more rewarding. That is everything. That is how you say "Hello, Sexy!"

Maserati's 4-door supercar - The Quattroporte

Although better late than never, the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S has arrived in Forza Motorsport 4 via the April Alpinestars Pack and so far, only two out of the three 4-door supercars featured on Top Gear were here. All we need now is the Porsche Panamera Turbo, which I hope that would be included on May's Porsche Expansion Pack on FM4.

They're getting away through some private jet!

So, Quattroporte, Italian for "four doors", it may be here for about eight years and it's due for a replacement next year but this 4-door supercar really keeping it up to its mojo. If I can remember correctly, the Aston Martin Rapide is more like the ballet dancer, while the Maserati Quattroporte is more like the hitman, and the Porsche Panamera was...um...eh...hmmm...it was somewhat like some dead man who got thrown through the river and then he got up. That Quattroporte is more like a mob car, a car that only the Don would be seating at the rear seat. Speaking of which, it was the Quattroporte's interior! On the Rapide, you still have Aston Martin buttons that can't read in bright sunlight. Then on the Panamera, the buttons are so complicated, it takes a rocket scientist to memorize those. Here on the Quattroporte, what should I say? This is none of these two but it's rubbish. For some criminal minds, there was some straps at the passenger side that once if you were held hostage and if your hands got handcuffed through these, you might be yelling "PLEASE DON'T TAKE ME TO THE WAREHOUSE!" or "PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!!!" or "GET ME OUT OF HERE!" or whatever the hostage might yell. Imagine if the highest ranking Yakuza or Triad would drive that and kidnap you?

They're escaping through the helicopter!

Under the bonnet was the 4.7L V8 engine that produces 440PS of power. 0-60MPH in 5.1 seconds, 0-100MPH in 10.9 seconds, and top speed of 179MPH. It also comes with the gearshift management software, with new features designed to increase driving enjoyment, front and rear suspension system featuring single-rate dampers, stiffer springs and lower ride height, and sports exhaust controlled by pneumatic valves for a deep, throaty and captivating sound. Those features really made this kind of Quattroporte more mob-like rather than being a ballet dancer. It's somewhat reminded me of the Maserati GranTurismo by some ways but that was just the beginning.

The ballet dancer vs. the hitman

This car is much more of a loudmouth than Annabelle Rama. When you hit the sport button, it generates much noise from the exhaust and also, it made it even more stiffer, turning this comfortable limousine into a torture chamber. Yep, you can better yell all you can and no one can hear you scream if the man who kidnapped you, driving the Quattroporte. Imagine if there was a convoy of Quattroportes driving around the streets of New York, that would be great but if ambush occurred, things get messy. Well, doesn't matter because this kind of car really made me think or laugh. If you prefer this Quattroporte, go get it but if you're not, get a Rapide, or if you're not interested on these, wait for the Panamera to arrive on Forza 4's Porsche Expansion Pack. It's your choice...

Italian Passion for the Filipinos

Two Italian exotic car brands, Ferrari and Maserati, has finally arrived in the Philippines under the authorized importer, Autostrada Motore. Their dealership is located at 32nd & 4th Crescent Park West, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City.

For their opening salvo, The Ferrari 458 Italia and the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale were launched in the Philippines, with more new models coming soon.

About the 458 Italia

Ferrari 458 Italia

The Ferrari 458 Italia continues the Modena-based carmaker's MR tradition and it served as the replacement to the F430. It was launched at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and this V8 midship grand tourer is the evolution since the 348 in 1989, F355 in 1994, 360 Modena in 1999, and the F430 in 2004. Trust us, this one's faster than James May's actual F430 where Jeremy Clarkson's littering it with a chocolate bar wrapper and a bag of Doritos. In the hands of The Stig, it lapped the Top Gear Test Track at 1:19.1, and it was proven to be faster than the Ferrari 430 Scuderia. Even though the assembly of the direct injection V8 engine is done by hand, computerized equipment made sure that each step of the process is done accurately. To be precise, the 458 Italia's crankshaft is one of the few parts that's balanced to within one gram for each level of balance. What we also learned that while painting the 458 Italia's body, Ferrari uses a powder base coat process that produces zero emission and it uses "emu feathers" as the only kind of feather that can clean in an electrostatically charged environment.

Price: 23,000,000 Pesos

About the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

The Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale is the most powerful Maserati ever built for the hardcore car enthusiasts and it is known to be the softened, firmed-up, street-legal version of the track-only Maserati GranTurismo MC and the MC GT4. This hardcore version is all work, all play, suitable for track day use or as a long-distance cruiser if you want to go out for a stroll at the country club. The inspired race-car technology derived from the GranTurismo MC GT4 produces more aerodynamic downforce and more power, without sacrificing the original GranTurismo's ride quality. Under, the hood, the MC Stradale comes with the 4.7L V8 engine that was improved to have 450HP of power and 510Nm of torque. It can do naught to 60 in 4.6 seconds and top speed of 187MPH. To make it more race-oriented, the GranTurismo MC Stradale retains the original 48:52 weight distribution for balanced handling and even tyre wear. The rear seats from the original Maserati GranTurismo has been stripped off, all in the case of saving weight and this is the first to have Race Mode that even sharpens throttle response and gear changes.

Price: PRICE ON APPLICATION (POA)

Scoop: http://www.topgear.com.ph/news/ferrari-maserati-dealership-opens-in-bonifacio-global-city

The Run of Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

Name: Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale

Nationality: Italian

Top Speed: 187 MPH

0 to 60 Time: 4.6 seconds

BHP: 444 @ 7,000RPM

Performance: Tier 4

Handling: Normal

Class: Exotic

Drivetrain: RWD

Manufacture Year: 2012

Description:

The Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale is the most powerful Maserati ever built for the hardcore car enthusiasts and it is known to be the softened, firmed-up, street-legal version of the track-only Maserati GranTurismo MC and the MC GT4. This hardcore version is all work, all play, suitable for track day use or as a long-distance cruiser if you want to go out for a stroll at the country club. The inspired race-car technology derived from the GranTurismo MC GT4 produces more aerodynamic downforce and more power, without sacrificing the original GranTurismo's ride quality. Under, the hood, the MC Stradale comes with the 4.7L V8 engine that was improved to have 450HP of power and 510Nm of torque. It can do naught to 60 in 4.6 seconds and top speed of 187MPH. To make it more race-oriented, the GranTurismo MC Stradale retains the original 48:52 weight distribution for balanced handling and even tyre wear. The rear seats from the original Maserati GranTurismo has been stripped off, all in the case of saving weight and this is the first to have Race Mode that even sharpens throttle response and gear changes.

The Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale is part of the all new Need For Speed THE RUN Italian Edition Pack, now available at the PlayStation Store and XBOX Live Marketplace. Go back to THE RUN and experience this racecar-oriented long distance cruiser!

Maserati GranCabrio (GranTurismo Convertible)

Based on the satanic GranTurismo sports car made by the premier Italian car manufacturer, the GranCabrio (known in the U.S. as the GranTurismo Convertible) seeks temptation in the eyes of lust-worthy drivers who are speeding their way without borders. This car is truly the brand's first four-seater convertible model that succeeds from the two-seater Maserati Coupe/Spyder. It retains the power of the trident mark that became a part of the Maserati tradition. As a light shining in the light of the Italian machine, the GranCabrio is armed with the 4691cc V8 engine that holds 440PS of power and the maximum top speed of 283km/h. It features a six-speed, ZF automatic transmission with the hydraulic torque converter that allows this transmission to handle the torque of the GranCabrio's raw V8 engine. It also has the standard skyhook control suspension for precise handling on several turns; from curves to u-turns, no matter where this car will go. The Maserati Stability Program is equipped on the GranCabrio and it works well with the anti-lock braking system to avoid the case of locking of wheels during braking.

Since this is a convertible, the GranCabrio comes with the soft-top that can be opened or closed in just 24 seconds. This is great when you are experiencing open-air travels and let the wind be your companion on the highway.

My thoughts about the GranCabrio:
With the wind chasing on the rear bumpers, the Maserati GranCabrio is perfect for those who wanted a four-seater convertible armed with the special features adults want to experience the devil within the convertible. Sadly, this Italian monster cabriolet is not worthy to take down its sister car, the Ferrari California, but on the pricing side, we might consider the GranCabrio a real winner.

Photo: Maserati