By Paul Pearce-Couch

Sometimes it's a great idea to start off with an apology, so here's mine: sorry. Sorry for causing strained necks, near misses and envious glances. That's what happens when you drive a Maserati. Sure, let's roll out all the Maserati and wider Italian supercar stereotypes. Sorry (there I go again), but in the case of the GranTurismo it's all true. In essence, what Maserati has here is a two-door Quattroporte. Granted, in reality it is a little more complicated, although the basic premise remains the same with the two cars: long, flowing exterior lines, an equally long hood, a distinctive grille sporting the Maserati trident, V8 power, a sumptuous cabin and a rarity value unmatched by close rivals. Standing still the GranTurismo ticks all the stereotype boxes, then. It is great to look at and, if current Maserati owners can be believed, a rewarding ownership proposition. With so many cars to choose from in the premium performance sector, it's fair to say that opting for the GranTurismo - or any Maserati - is a considered decision. Make no mistake, these are very special cars. It's true that there are a handful of faster and more powerful cars in the GranTurismo's price bracket, but that doesn't mean that Maserati's star performer should be relegated to the second division because of its on-paper figures. Packing a 4.2-litre V8 petrol engine, its 405 horsepower and healthy 339lb/ft torque proves more than adequate. Boasting a 177mph top speed and a 0 to 62mph sprint time of 5.2 seconds, in the real world there's nothing wrong with the GranTurismo's ability to rip up the tarmac when required. So it's all show and plenty of go for the GranTurismo, then? Well, yes, actually. If you want to go quickly - very quickly - it's not a problem. It's actually more of a pleasure as standard fit is a smooth-shifting six-speed auto gearbox. You have the option of letting it do the work, switching to a sportier shift program or doing it yourself with the aid of steering wheel paddle shifters. Opting for the Sport mode also sharpens up the car's general responses, allowing you to have some fun with the tuneful V8 motor. Keen drivers will love the way the engine encourages you to rev it hard to extract the maximum performance from it. The unit's deep growl is certainly an infectious trade-off, and it proves to onlookers that, while the GranTurismo might be a pretty sight, it is also fairly devastating on the road. Flat-out performance isn't the only thing Maserati's coupe is good at - brisk touring is another strong point. Whether it's on the motorway or more rewarding A-roads, it's never a chore to maintain a brisk pace in the GranTurismo. Living up to its GT name, the car delivers a pleasing blend of refinement and comfort alongside its potent performance. And despite its huge potential, you're never left feeling intimidated by what's under the hood regardless of the road conditions. And what a cabin it is: comfortable, well appointed and suitably bespoke in its ambience to justify the car's price tag. Okay, so the four-door Quattroporte boasts something similar but, together, the two cars offer an experience that no rival can match. In the case of the GranTurismo, the car's sloping roof adds an extra layer of intimacy over and above the usual feeling you get when sitting in a two-door coupe. Factor in the leather upholstery and Maserati's unique take on the design of its switchgear - you won't find any generic parts bin stuff here - and it's clear that the car's character is made up of more than just an eye-catching exterior design and growling engine. There's also a refreshingly generous approach to equipment levels with the GranTurismo. Unlike with some of the German competition, you won't need to spend hours scouring the options list. For a car in this price bracket you expect certain minimum standards, and from looking around the cabin and outside the car you certainly get value for money. From 19-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlamps, rear parking sensors to electric everything inside, sat-nav and multi media audio system, electric parking brake, front, side and curtain airbags, a number of useful cabin storage areas plus a fully featured alarm and tracking device, the main focus of the options list is on personalisation through alloy wheel design and cabin trim. It's often said that purchasing decisions concerning Italian cars are done with the heart and not the head - rarely a complete package, there's always a compromise to endure with something from that part of the world. The GranTurismo breaks with that tradition, as it successfully combines elegant design with serious performance and a practical character. There's a reason people will look at you - they're not jealous, they're just enjoying the view. ¨