S to Sport differences...

murph7355

murph7355

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Does anyone have experience of the differences between an "S" and a "Sport" Granturismo?

Aesthetic differences inside and out are obvious (I think I prefer the S but not strongly). I'm thinking more about the drive - an extra ~30bhp is neither here nor there, but the tweaks to get that extra power could change the character of the engine etc I guess.

Were there any other differences introduced?

The budget I'm setting myself sees Sports starting to come into view, so am wondering if it's worth extending the funds a bit...

(Have tried searching but not getting much back).
 
Fangio63

Fangio63

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614
I don't really know that much in terms of actual facts and figs ... But when I thought about trading up from my 4.2 I drove a few S's... as I was looking for a car 2 years newer than my 4.2 with minimal milage the price to change was fairly significant.... and I came away feeling it wasn't really worth it... (may as well get a Larini on the 4.2)...

However ... as soon as I tried the Sport it felt like a very different car... faster, more responsive ... somehow lighter and more "chuckable"... I never bothered finding out why this might be the case - I just bought one... Now .. that could all be just my impression, but I certainly noticed that extra HP... I much preferred the interior, getting rid of the fog lights and orange indicators just updates the whole look of the car..
You'll find that someone more nerdy will be along to correct me in a mo... but I believe I've read somewhere that there is also ..
Different gearbox software.
Different brakes (not a big improvement)

young Mr Grace probably knows all the answers as he's traded plenty of both now...
 
dickygrace

dickygrace

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Below is what I have worded, with facts coming from the Maserati literature at the time stated. I quote this in my adverts when I've got a 2013MY for sale. Maserati never make it easy to understand when upgrades are involved. Some 2012MY cars are 'Sports' but not with the aesthetic changes. The way to tell would be either front page of the service book, get a full spec check from a main dealer, or when driving, knock the gear lever (on an MC Autoshift) across for fully manual mode, put it in sport and you'll have full noise from 0 rpm, whereas on a 2009-11 Auto S, it's only from 3000rpm and above. They also made changes on an '11 year car just to confuse matters!


'The transmission is controlled by the MC Auto Shift software, with rev limiter override, double declutch and high-performance start function. There are five operating modes: Auto Normal, Auto Sport, Manual Normal, Manual Sport and Ice. The 2013 Granturismo Sport MC Auto Shift benefits from new sport seats and an MC Stradale front bumper and black exterior detailing, including the headlight and window surrounds and exhaust pipes, for a more aggressive look. The car also benefits from other refinements made to the 2013 Model Year car, horsepower is up to 460bhp with 520nm of torque at 4750rpm, the double wishbone suspension features a new setup and is controlled by the Sport Skyhook System, which has been specially developed for this version'.

Thats probably answered some of your questions and further confused matters. Always happy to chat about it if you wish to call.
 
StuartW

StuartW

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9,321
You're right, they don't make it easy to follow - I thought I knew the differences but am now more confused than when before!
 
Doohickey

Doohickey

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dickygrace said:
'The transmission is controlled by the MC Auto Shift software, with rev limiter override, double declutch and high-performance start function. There are five operating modes: Auto Normal, Auto Sport, Manual Normal, Manual Sport and Ice.
Click to expand...

So does that mean that all GTS Autos have this software or only the later model years? I note you've got this description for the '09 car you have at the moment.

Cheers.
 
B

bigbob

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8,973
The steering is different between the GTS and Sport too with the latter having different geometry and, possibly, a faster rack. Worth a drive comparison if you have preferences here. Apparently they were trying to make the newer car turn in faster like a Ferrari F12. This is not to my taste as I like a heavy rack/reasonable effort for a direction change.

As for the gearbox, all 4.7 autos have the five operating modes but the more aggressive settings in sport came in in 2010 or 2011 as an option - look for 'Sports Pack' if you want them - and then as standard fit on the Sport.

Also worth pointing out that the Sport front bumper is not the same as the Stradale - very different.
 
dickygrace

dickygrace

www.richardgracecars.co.uk
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Bigbob beat me to it, and yes on the Stradale bumper, it's a Stradale style but not the same.
 
B

bigbob

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dickygrace said:
Bigbob beat me to it, and yes on the Stradale bumper, it's a Stradale style but not the same.
Click to expand...

Indeed. Stradale much nicer IMHO.

You could get the sports pack from 2011MY IIRC. I certainly passed on it on my order in early 2011.
 
murph7355

murph7355

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245
Thanks guys...will digest when looking. Test drives just got a little more complicated (though with nearly every Sport that doesn't create significant budget creep being white, the choice may be moot...).
 
hoyin

hoyin

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1,842
Yes I saw that as well when I was buying mine. The white models seem to be abundant and cheaper. Or was it just my imagination?
 
B

bigbob

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hoyin said:
Yes I saw that as well when I was buying mine. The white models seem to be abundant and cheaper. Or was it just my imagination?
Click to expand...

I'm not following prices that much any more but white or black do seem to be the popular colours. I think black has more long term appeal FWIW.
 
murph7355

murph7355

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245
Went to have a good look at a few on Tuesday. Unfortunately my having to delay doing this saw the one I really liked the look of being sold a few days earlier. Never mind.

Black and dark grey (granito) are out. I've had a black car for 8.5yrs and will never by one again. They look great when the paint is perfect and spotless. For the other 99.9% of the time a car that gets used is in, they look poor.

I really like grigio Alfieri, especially with darker accents. I also quite like silver (grigio touring?) with darker accents. I hear that's a potential residuals headache, but buying used I'm not sure I'm that bothered.

A white car would take some explaining to the Mrs!

Anyway, so far so good. Off for a test drive tomorrow so will try MC shift, auto and a Sport with a bit of luck to see which is the preferred option. Then start scouring the ads with a bit more immediate intent. If I end up preferring the Sport it will lead to problems - budget creep and also choice of gearbox... I hear MC Shift Sports are rare...

(One thing I did sense in the S I sat in... The seats are quite hard and felt more like sitting on them than in them than I'm used to...)
 
Fangio63

Fangio63

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614
I think the seats are great in both the S and Sport... and I've done some 5 hour trips...

When I was looking there were only Black, white and the Blu Sofisticato around... most of the Blu ones now seem to have gone... Mines Oceano ... and I've still not seen another that colour...
 
hoyin

hoyin

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1,842
Fangio63 said:
I think the seats are great in both the S and Sport... and I've done some 5 hour trips...

When I was looking there were only Black, white and the Blu Sofisticato around... most of the Blu ones now seem to have gone... Mines Oceano ... and I've still not seen another that colour...
Click to expand...

Are you in a MY13?

Personally I don't like the seats. Especially the all leather ones. They don't hold me in at all. When I tired a full leather seat I almost slid out the seat when cornering. Hence why I got one with alcantara in fills which for me grip me in the seat better.

But even with the infills I am disappointed with them. My other car which has full on bucket seats with hardly any padding are more comfortable after a long journey than the better padded GT seats which are too flat for me. Plus the adjustable internal lumbar support is so annoying. I don't like too firm as it makes the seat too flat. But if you soften it you can hear it moving when you move in the seat which is annoying me so much!
 
Fangio63

Fangio63

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614
yep.. its a MY13... and fine for me... I don't tend to find I slide around at all .. but then I seldom drive like I stole it.....

If anything the previous seats had the edge.. but barely noticeable.. ....did a long trip in my Disco 3 recently .. by comparison that was not nearly as good... which is not what I would have expected..
 
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