Have seen a lot of contradictory info and am interested in what p the real differences are between the GS and normal cars. I know the GS is 10mm lower with stiffer suspension and with a switchable exhaust and slightly quicker gearchange software. But wanted to know if the spring rates and damping were specific? And what other changes the GSs had aside from cosmetics?
Real differences between GranSport and normal cars
- Thread starter jack.pe
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spkennyuk
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The differences depend on the year of the 4200 your comparing it to.
The main differences when comparing against the facelift 4200 of the same period.
Valved exhaust, sports front seats (option on 4200), 396 bhp as against 390 on the 4200. Different TCU software which is supossed to be faster. You would be hard pushed to tell the difference. Side running boards on the GS and boot lip spoiler. 10mm lower stance. Different centre consol with carbon fibre dropping the info centre screen from the 4200 and centre arm rest/consol section is different. Nornal din sized stereo in the GS. Bigger low profile wheels on the GS.
Im not aware of any difference in the suspension settings between a facelift 4200 and a GS.
The extra BHP is possibly just down to the different exhaust. Same front and rear ends on both cars. Auto hill hold feature addedon both cars.
Real world driving the difference between a well set up GS and a well set up 4200 would be the driver.
Earlier 4200s had different front and rear ends and slower tcu software. The sought after early versions had a more aggresive kick in the back gear change.
I think that pretty much covers the differences. On the later 4200s you could specify some GS parts as options such as the seats and steering wheel. I think IIRC that you could have a non skyhook option on very early 4200s.
The main differences when comparing against the facelift 4200 of the same period.
Valved exhaust, sports front seats (option on 4200), 396 bhp as against 390 on the 4200. Different TCU software which is supossed to be faster. You would be hard pushed to tell the difference. Side running boards on the GS and boot lip spoiler. 10mm lower stance. Different centre consol with carbon fibre dropping the info centre screen from the 4200 and centre arm rest/consol section is different. Nornal din sized stereo in the GS. Bigger low profile wheels on the GS.
Im not aware of any difference in the suspension settings between a facelift 4200 and a GS.
The extra BHP is possibly just down to the different exhaust. Same front and rear ends on both cars. Auto hill hold feature addedon both cars.
Real world driving the difference between a well set up GS and a well set up 4200 would be the driver.
Earlier 4200s had different front and rear ends and slower tcu software. The sought after early versions had a more aggresive kick in the back gear change.
I think that pretty much covers the differences. On the later 4200s you could specify some GS parts as options such as the seats and steering wheel. I think IIRC that you could have a non skyhook option on very early 4200s.
Ewan
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The gear change is actually 35% quicker on the GS. And as you say, it has stiffer and lower suspension, with 19 inch wheels (as opposed to 18 inch on the 4200 coupe). The interior is obviously very different, with a different steering wheel, different front seats, different centre console, button start, etc. Along with the switchable sports exhaust and the extra 10bhp, these changes to add up to provide quite a different driving experience.
Not sure about the springs/dampers.
Not sure about the springs/dampers.
2b1ask1
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Now I have the clutch set up in the GS and have had a couple of spirited plays out in it, comparing it to my 03 CC the handling is night and day sharper, far less body roll and noticeably less dive under braking. I still have aged out Vreds on each corner over slippery Mick's on the 4200 so it is still squirrelling at the moment but confidence is so much higher already. Also GS gets a blip on down changes which will be fun when I liberate some noise! My 4200 was propperly quick by comparison though as it had (it turns out) no front cats, I'd put effectively straight through pipes on it and a unique induction. Also the GS has yet to loosen up as it is only on 20,000.
Cheers chaps.. the one i'm most interested in whether the spring rates and damping is actually different. According to some of the period road tests they are.. but some have told me simply that the ride height is different. having driven in both the GS definitely felt stiffer but i guess that could partly be down to the larger wheels.
An Autocar test at the time says the settings on the dampers were altered but the springs and anti roll bars were the same...
An Autocar test at the time says the settings on the dampers were altered but the springs and anti roll bars were the same...
safrane
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Having owned 4200s and GSs from early to late models.
My summay would be; not enough to warrant the extra £10k for the GS.
They all perform differently but the later the 4200 the closer to a GS it is and it was the 2003/2004 4200s that are the softer cars.
My personal preference was the 2003 (04my) cars with a nice mix between classic design and GT performance.
My summay would be; not enough to warrant the extra £10k for the GS.
They all perform differently but the later the 4200 the closer to a GS it is and it was the 2003/2004 4200s that are the softer cars.
My personal preference was the 2003 (04my) cars with a nice mix between classic design and GT performance.
hashluck
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I think the differences were ride height and wheels/tyres but this is market dependent as Skyhook was not standard in all markets and this would make a huge difference between two cars. UK I think we can assume Skyhook, certainly always on the GS.
From the brochure:
The fact that the set-up has been lowered by 10 mm and the
adoption of the 19†wheels and Pirelli tyres with a specific
profile (front 235/35 19â€, rear 265/30 19â€), characterised by a
smaller slip angle, have lowered the centre of gravity and
hardened the set-up of Maserati GranSport, making it even
more agile and responsive to the steering wheel.
From the brochure:
The fact that the set-up has been lowered by 10 mm and the
adoption of the 19†wheels and Pirelli tyres with a specific
profile (front 235/35 19â€, rear 265/30 19â€), characterised by a
smaller slip angle, have lowered the centre of gravity and
hardened the set-up of Maserati GranSport, making it even
more agile and responsive to the steering wheel.
spkennyuk
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Facelift 4200 has the blip on downshift as well. The extra stiffness will be in part down to the lower profile tyres on the GS. Damper rates and springs are the same as far as i know. Im sure voicey or somebody will be along who can give a definative answer.
Most of the reviews you see online compare earlier 4200 against the gransport so the differences were far more obvious.
The facelift cars were far closer to the GS.
Most of the reviews you see online compare earlier 4200 against the gransport so the differences were far more obvious.
The facelift cars were far closer to the GS.
hashluck
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4200 vs GS will come down largely to the interior styling differences and seat comfort and, to a lesser extent, exterior styling differences. Performance will be much the same. Unless you want a manual then it has to be a 4200.
Personally i much prefer the interior an exterior styling and seat comfort of the GS. I think I have only seen one 4200 with the optional GS seats fitted as the option price was massive.
Personally i much prefer the interior an exterior styling and seat comfort of the GS. I think I have only seen one 4200 with the optional GS seats fitted as the option price was massive.
Wack61
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My 02 4200 has the blip on the downchange and kick in the back gearchange , I hadn't noticed the softness of the suspension until driving it this weekend compared to how hard the MX5 is , compared to that it's like driving a Bentley , they are a GT car rather than a sports car though
Cheers for the input guys, just to make it clear I am not asking which is better or if the GS is worth the premium. Just wanted to know what the actual physical differences are.
Some sources say the damping is different, as for the rest of the mechanical stuff I think there is pretty much a consensus of valved exhausts, different gear change software (that may have made it onto the later cars too), 19' wheels, blueprinted engine (apparently had assembled at Ferrari) and then the cosmetic stuff.
Some sources say the damping is different, as for the rest of the mechanical stuff I think there is pretty much a consensus of valved exhausts, different gear change software (that may have made it onto the later cars too), 19' wheels, blueprinted engine (apparently had assembled at Ferrari) and then the cosmetic stuff.
hashluck
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More from the launch documents
Its maximum power delivery has been upped from the original 390 hp to 400 hp (295 kW)
too, thanks to special development work to reduce internal attrition and careful work on
the intake manifolds and valve seats. The engine has been combined with a sports exhaust
system that is instantly recognisable, thanks to the unusual design of its twin chrome
exhausts and was designed to give enthusiasts that instantly recognisable deep, full-bodied
rumble. Thanks to an electronically controlled pneumatic valve system, even more can be
made of the exhaust by pressing the “Sport” button on the central console too.
The Maserati GranSport is only available with the six-speed
electro-hydraulic transmission in which the gears are changed
using paddles mounted behind the steering wheel, a feature that
further enhances the car’s sporty personality. The Cambiocorsa
systems allows drivers to choose between various gear shifting
modes (Normal, Sport, Automatic and Low Grip), and in the case of
the Maserati GranSport, is controlled by specific software to
speed up gear changing in all driving conditions. Even with
respect to already very highly developed Coupé Cambiocorsa
system, the Sport mode in the GranSport offers 35% faster gear
changing on average and also boasts automatic heeling and
toeing to make dropping down a gear even faster. Thanks to the new Cambiocorsa
software, the Maserati GranSport can sprint a whole kilometre from standstill in a
breathtaking 23 seconds flat.
The gear shift ratios are specific too, with the adoption of a sixth gear that is 5% longer,
which, in combination with its more powerful engine and improved aerodynamics, allows
the Maserati GranSport to improve on the already blistering speeds of the Coupé,
delivering a top speed of 290 km/h.
As with the other models in the Maserati range, the driver can choose between two levels of
gear changing. Normal mode is more comfortable and typical of
Grand Tourer driving, while with a touch of the Sport button on
the central console they get to feel the true power of the car. The
Sport mode delivers a much faster gear changing, a deeper
exhaust sound and less invasive use of the MSP stability and
traction control system. The Skyhook suspension
system, which offers continuous damping control, is also affected
by the driver’s choice of Normal or Sport modes
The front seats are designed for high lateral containment, and
guarantee maximum driver contact with the car for perfect
control. They were developed with the help of the Maserati test
drivers in line with the strictest ergonomic principles with the
aim of combining sporty characteristics and excellent seat
comfort for perfect, long distance driving. This is why the seats are also fully power
adjustable and can, on request, be supplied with a heating option and memorised settings on
the driver’s side.
The carbon, leather-trimmed tunnel separates the two front seats. It contains the
Cambiacorsa control selector and the secondary commands, each one of which is set into an
elegant chrome surround.
The main control buttons, including the blue Start button are
grouped together on the central console near the driver. The
climate control and CD player buttons are also set in a carbon
feature on the central console.
Its maximum power delivery has been upped from the original 390 hp to 400 hp (295 kW)
too, thanks to special development work to reduce internal attrition and careful work on
the intake manifolds and valve seats. The engine has been combined with a sports exhaust
system that is instantly recognisable, thanks to the unusual design of its twin chrome
exhausts and was designed to give enthusiasts that instantly recognisable deep, full-bodied
rumble. Thanks to an electronically controlled pneumatic valve system, even more can be
made of the exhaust by pressing the “Sport” button on the central console too.
The Maserati GranSport is only available with the six-speed
electro-hydraulic transmission in which the gears are changed
using paddles mounted behind the steering wheel, a feature that
further enhances the car’s sporty personality. The Cambiocorsa
systems allows drivers to choose between various gear shifting
modes (Normal, Sport, Automatic and Low Grip), and in the case of
the Maserati GranSport, is controlled by specific software to
speed up gear changing in all driving conditions. Even with
respect to already very highly developed Coupé Cambiocorsa
system, the Sport mode in the GranSport offers 35% faster gear
changing on average and also boasts automatic heeling and
toeing to make dropping down a gear even faster. Thanks to the new Cambiocorsa
software, the Maserati GranSport can sprint a whole kilometre from standstill in a
breathtaking 23 seconds flat.
The gear shift ratios are specific too, with the adoption of a sixth gear that is 5% longer,
which, in combination with its more powerful engine and improved aerodynamics, allows
the Maserati GranSport to improve on the already blistering speeds of the Coupé,
delivering a top speed of 290 km/h.
As with the other models in the Maserati range, the driver can choose between two levels of
gear changing. Normal mode is more comfortable and typical of
Grand Tourer driving, while with a touch of the Sport button on
the central console they get to feel the true power of the car. The
Sport mode delivers a much faster gear changing, a deeper
exhaust sound and less invasive use of the MSP stability and
traction control system. The Skyhook suspension
system, which offers continuous damping control, is also affected
by the driver’s choice of Normal or Sport modes
The front seats are designed for high lateral containment, and
guarantee maximum driver contact with the car for perfect
control. They were developed with the help of the Maserati test
drivers in line with the strictest ergonomic principles with the
aim of combining sporty characteristics and excellent seat
comfort for perfect, long distance driving. This is why the seats are also fully power
adjustable and can, on request, be supplied with a heating option and memorised settings on
the driver’s side.
The carbon, leather-trimmed tunnel separates the two front seats. It contains the
Cambiacorsa control selector and the secondary commands, each one of which is set into an
elegant chrome surround.
The main control buttons, including the blue Start button are
grouped together on the central console near the driver. The
climate control and CD player buttons are also set in a carbon
feature on the central console.
Vampyrebat
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- 3,130
On the grills of the GS and faceliftBigger grin
outrun
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- 5,017
I have absolutely no idea about the suspension differences however I have owned and driven both and I suspect the spring rate is different on a GS. The slight lowering (which can be done on facelift 4200s as they're adjustable) and larger wheels certainly contributes but so does the improved airflow of the GS body/bumper additions. Perhaps this adds up to the different feel, perhaps it's more. In my mind, it's more with the GS feeling more planted and solid, especially as the speed increases.
Somehow a GS is better than a 4200 and for me it's more than the sum of the parts alone. I know many disagree and of course it's a personal choice but I would never have a 4200 over a GS.
Somehow a GS is better than a 4200 and for me it's more than the sum of the parts alone. I know many disagree and of course it's a personal choice but I would never have a 4200 over a GS.
Needamaser
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Is it not the case the GS wheels are much more prone to cracking? Is part of the reason why?