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Dream Test Drive: 2013 Maserati Gran Turismo Sport

Labels: Automatic, Automobile, Automotive perfection, Car, Comfort, Gran Turismo, Maserati, Test Drive, V8

My list of desired cars is constantly growing, but there is one that has been sitting at the top spot for quite some time: A Maserati

Today, I present to you the car that I crave like no other: The 2013 Maserati Gran Turismo Sport.
It seems that professional drivers and experienced motor journalists love to rip on the Maserati for its lack of performance, low numbers, heavy weight, and so on.

But I am not either of them, and today I was thankful for that, as all I wanted to do was to enjoy this vehicle and that's something that Maserati can deliver like no other car.

It starts with the looks. No matter which angle you look at it from, it just looks stunning, everybody knows it's a Maserati, it's shape just screams exclusivity and boyish fun at the same time. Not a lot of cars achieve that.

Once inside you simply fall in love with the fine leather seats, soft to touch steering wheel, and general finish of the cabin. Surprisingly there is plenty of room in the rear, and there is even enough space in the trunk for a pair of golf bags. One significant let down is the quality of the navigation head unit. I haven't seen anything that horrible since 90's Mitsubishi.

But you simply forget about that as you turn the key and hear the Ferrari Manufactured 4.7L V8 rev up, burble and gently rumble at idle.

Once you I was off the orchestra from the 8 cylinders in the front accompanied by the bass from the 4 organ pipes of the exhaust in the rear penetrated my entire body with amazing harmony of acceleration and gear changes. Despite 1880 kg of kerb weight and only about 454 HP, it still can still throw quite a punch. It blasts off the line while throwing the driver in to the seat, brakes are precise and linear while steering is responsive and predictable.

The car is very easy to drive, and it lets you have a bit of fun too. Traction control is configured to allow a hint of a wheel spin at corner exits, but still keeps everything stable and in control, the sport button tightens steering, suspension and engine response, it also opens a valve in the exhaust for that extra acoustics and it is indeed magnificent.

As we entered the ultimate orchestra hall, also known as a tunnel in central Tokyo, I just had to open the windows and let the car sing, and it did so with high variety of highs and lows making me feel alive.

No other car brand can deliver sound like that, and without a bit of noise how can a car generate any kind of emotion in the driver? Just like a musician becomes part of his music as he feels the instrument with every cell in the body, a Maserati driver gets absorbed in the process of driving, enjoying it more than anything in the world.

I don't care that it is slower than its rivals around Nurgburgring, as a matter of fact, that's a good thing, as the longer it takes the more the driver gets to enjoy it.

Cost of ownership
1/5
The 4.7L V8 engine is thirsty and it requires maintenance of a true sport car. Once beyond warranty repair costs can go through the roof.

Practicality

Top 10 Coolest Police Cars

Guns, Glasses and now even Cool Cars. Police are Under paid over Achievers who roam the street's taking down bad guys! A job that only a few are man enough to rise to the Challenge. Today we look at the Top 10 Cop Cars with the highest "Cool" factor.

10. At number 10 we have The Ford Mustang. An Iconic car to American's with its bold look and rich history. This Cop Car is decked out with everything Police cars have and Race cars have, making it "The Best of Both Worlds"

9. At 9 we have the Concept Camaro, The future idea for Police cars. We just absolutely admire those duel color head lights.

8. Dodge Charger, This full blown American Muscle with blue and red lights. Perfect combo.

7. This German Police car, using a Porsche 911 which is German.. Not surprised.

6. Another American Muscle, Dodge Challenger using Blue and Red.

5. We just could not resist putting this on our list. A HUMMER H2!!! Huge 22 inch Rims with Chromed Everything. Now their is not much cooler then a Red and Blue Hummer H2. Jealous yet?

4. A Cadillac CTS. Half pimp and half police.

3. Audi R8 GTR, another German on German match but this one is particularly special because like all, we dig the R8.

2. The Caparo T1. 500 kg and 500 Horse Power. Power to Weight Ratio, its the most powerful road going car in the world. The idea of jumping out of a single seater road going F1 and Screaming "Stop Fool" well just deserves a 2nd on our list

1. Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560. This Italian Super Car which is Used by the Italians marked a new era in Police cars. Given by Lamborghini as a gift back in 2008. A car that was supposed to catch anyone who attempts to out run them using highly trained Drivers. Unfortunately 1 of the 2 super cars was totaled back in 2009 by some reckless driving. Even so, still to this day it is the most amazing Police car to dubbed a police car and probably will be for a future to come. Deserving our 1 spot in our Top 10 Coolest Police Cars.

The Blue Car and The Dinosaur

You're probably thinking this is a story about Barney and cringing, aren't you? Well relax, he's not blue, he's purple. No, what I am talking about is the Pterodactyl that crapped on my car last week. You see, I don't just love my little blue sports car, I'm pretty much obsessed with it.

Growing up in South Dakota, I got my driver's license at 14. I got my first car about 8 hours later, mainly because I had to wait for the DMV office to open the next morning. It was a 1966 Dodge Charger and while it was pretty cool for the time, I traded it soon after for my first blue sports car, an Opel GT.

The Opel looked like a miniature Corvette and after I had spiffed it up with some chrome wheels, it was pretty much the coolest thing on campus. Unfortunately, it was also a rolling piece of junk. It soon became obvious that I wasn't going to be able to afford the repairs of keeping on the road while still in school and working part time. I sold it and bought the perfect project car, a 1969 Chevy Camaro.

While the Opel was a piece of junk, at least it was mobile. The Camaro needed everything. I overhauled the engine, installed a new transmission, stripped the disgusting faded green paint off, and repainted it, yep, you guessed it, blue. You may wonder why I went through all that work, but I loved doing that kind of thing, and besides, I got the car for $500.

Fast forward about 20 years and I'm at the car dealer with my wife. At this point I had gone through minivans for the kid, small trucks for 4 wheeling, and a couple of sedans for people haulers. I was ready to get back to my blue sports car. It wasn't a middle age thing, at least that's what I told myself.

I picked out the Infiniti G35 Coupe, in Caribbean Blue. It was very fast, it was cool looking, and I wanted it. My wife on the other hand, decided that I couldn't have that. No, no, that car didn't project the right image or something, so I had to get the 4 door sedan version. To this day, I still don't know the real reason, but in the interest of a stable marriage, I consented and drove my brand spanking new "Dad car" home.

It was pretty fast, and it was blue, but it wasn't really a blue sports car. Unlike a sports car, the sedan didn't want to go out on the weekend and drive to the beach, it wanted stay at home and go to the office. So after the wife and I divorced, (no relationship to the car thing, really.. No, I mean it... sort of), I finally got my new dream sports car. A 2009 Nissan 370Z in "write me a ticket now" blue.

It's the best blue sports car I've ever had, bar none, and I treat it like a hangar queen. If there is a parking spot near the door to where I am going, but the spot isn't at least three cars wide, then I'll park in a lonely space over in the north fourty and walk. The last thing I want is to have door rash on that beautiful blue paint job.

Renault Laguna Coupe

The Renault Laguna is a large family car produced by the French manufacturer Renault. The first Laguna was launched in 1993, the second generation was launched in 2000, and the third generation was made available for sale in October 2007.

The first generation Renault Laguna was launched in December 1993 as replacement for the Renault 21, initially coming as a hatchback only. Late in 1995 it was introduced an estate version, known in some markets as the Laguna Sport Tourer, and replaced the 21-based Renault Savanna/Nevada.

With its responsive handling, precise steering and stable cornering, Laguna Grand Tour is ideal for high-mileage drivers. Laguna Grand Tour also features the highest standards in safety and travelling comfort, boasting top-level soundproofing and air conditioning, standard-setting suspension, and the finest in safety technology, including ABS, ESP, electronic emergency brake assist, and a double side airbag.

Laguna Grand Tour station wagon is extremely roomy and strong on stowage compartments. The seats fold in one click to reveal a completely flat load area measuring 1,593 dm3, complete with compartments and a full-length luggage cover. With plenty of room for bags and bulky objects, it excels on holidays and business travel.

Depending on the engine, Laguna Grand Tour meets the Renault eco² criteria. Special mention goes to the 110 hp 1.6 dCi with CO2 emissions limited to 130 g/km. Laguna Estate is manufactured in the ISO 14001 certified plant of Sandouville and contains 17% recycled plastics.