[M!]

'The order book is open for the limited production coupe'
...
'Designed for a very particular clientele, it will be produced in very limited numbers and will be sold for one model year only. '

http://www.maseratiamerica.com/MaseratiMonthly/32/MM_32_CommuniqueA.aspx?


---
so one year only?

this cannot be. why would they create the MC-Shift and the uprated engine just for one model year?
( i m guessing the MC-Shift will be very similar to the Ferrari GT's transmission...)

may be next year we will get a Granturismo MC Victory.

 

[BigFoot]

Ah … don't remind me of this car man
I stil kick myself for not being able to go through with my pre-order...

 

[chris7469]

What are they thinking? One year only?

I agree...

One year only, makes no sense when they just launched the GT and there is demand for a more aggressive CC version.

I hope this is some type of marketing ploy....

CM

 

[Fred]

'The order book is open for the limited production coupe'
...
'Designed for a very particular clientele, it will be produced in very limited numbers and will be sold for one model year only. '

http://www.maseratiamerica.com/MaseratiMonthly/32/MM_32_CommuniqueA.aspx?


---
so one year only?

this cannot be. why would they create the MC-Shift and the uprated engine just for one model year?
( i m guessing the MC-Shift will be very similar to the Ferrari GT's transmission...)

may be next year we will get a Granturismo MC Victory.

This is really no different than what they have done before.
What they are saying is that:
The 2009 model will be sold for one year only. ;-)

 

[GrndLkNatv]

I am going to wait a couple of years....

Until one of these babies comes off lease, then sell my 2002, and pick it up for a song and a dance...

 

[DeaneG]

Until one of these babies comes off lease, then sell my 2002, and pick it up for a song and a dance...

Me too! But we may have to wait three years past this December

I imagine after the "one year only" S type, there will either be an S+ version available, or the S engine will migrate down to the "base" model, with a choice of auto/F1 tranny.

I'm sure that Maserati will work to keep up with the other automotive Joneses.

 

[GrndLkNatv]

3 years isn't that long....

Especially since I already have one to drive, that is once it get's back from the shop.... Oh my right foot itches!!!!

 

[Bcube]

Designed for a very particular clientele, it will be produced in very limited numbers and will be sold for one model year only.

If Maserati is trying to sell 12K cars annually by 2010, this ain't the way to do it. Maserati says they want more Masers out there and not be as exclusive as Ferrari and yet, and yet, with the above statement, there are going to be more F149s around than GT-Ses. I really don't consider the GranTurismo S a flagship model - that is the role of the MC-12.

Guess I'm confused about Maserati Marketing. Between that statement and the fact that I want a Convertible GranTurismo S in yellow over blue navy with yellow contrast stitching and yet the sales folks keep urging me to buy black on black (bore, bore, bore, boringggggg) due to perceived resale value (we are talking Masers right?), I'm frustrated.

Screw it, I am just going to buy a 512TR. Oh wait, I forgot, I'm too fat to fit in a Testarossa. Damn, now I AM pissed.

 

[M!]

Bcube you are correct. I think maserati will focus on the convertible next year. so probably a GT convertible for MY 2010, and then GTS convertible for MY 2011...

i wonder how closely the F149 will be with the GT-S?

 

[Fred]

Bcube you are correct. I think maserati will focus on the convertible next year. so probably a GT convertible for MY 2010, and then GTS convertible for MY 2011...

i wonder how closely the F149 will be with the GT-S?

I'm thinking the F149 will be a hopped up GTS motor in a modified GranSport chassis.

 

[M!]

I'm thinking the F149 will be a hopped up GTS motor in a modified GranSport chassis.

i think the F149 is based on the GT, not the GS.
and the engine would probably be an improved version of the F430 motor.
from what i hear, it is not really a baby ferrari as in an entry level model.

 

[M!]

http://www.ferrarigtcountdown.com/

is finally up!


sounds like my maserati's.... haha.

 

[Bcube]

That is not sounding like a flat-plane crank...

Thanks for the link.

 

[Trident Derek]

That is not sounding like a flat-plane crank...

Thanks for the link.

That's exactly what I was thinking too! Sounds good but I guess the direct injection creates a unique sound?

 

[AgeRebel]

so one year only?

this cannot be. why would they create the MC-Shift and the uprated engine just for one model year?
( i m guessing the MC-Shift will be very similar to the Ferrari GT's transmission...)

may be next year we will get a Granturismo MC Victory.

I am seriously considering "getting in line" for a GT-S and apparently have an opportunity to do so. However, I have not had prior Maserati/Ferrari ownership experience and only a fledgling relationship with the local dealership. Since they have not driven or seen a GT-S, their knowledge is currently superficial. Therefore, I would greatly appreciate the collective knowledge and opinions from all of you on ML...

1. MC-Shift gearbox: suggested that its derived from the Ferrari 599 GTB, mainly deduced from its transaxle layout and 100ms shift time. Is this true and any real world experience (reliability, smoothness)?
   
2. Skyhook: although standard on GT, it's optional on GT-S. Apparently the standard fixed settings delivers better handling specific to the GT-S characteristics. Maserati's website says "...GT-S can be fitted with Skyhook electronically controlled suspension system that could be equated more with a comfort setting". Am I reading too much into this or does Skyhook harm handling even in the Sport setting or does it provide for better ride when needed?
   
3. "Limited" edition: they have told me it will be a 1-year only production MY09 and US to get 20-25 cars. The reason suggested is that they want to bridge the gap till the F149 GT launches and at that time will not want the GT-S to "cannibalize" Ferrari's offering. Opinions?

 

[BigFoot]

Go for it, it'll be a fantastic car

 

[DeaneG]

Interesting too, I heard that the Granturismo spyder will be a cloth top, and the F149 a folding metal top. One more way to distinguish the product lines.

 

[M!]

I am seriously considering "getting in line" for a GT-S and apparently have an opportunity to do so. However, I have not had prior Maserati/Ferrari ownership experience and only a fledgling relationship with the local dealership. Since they have not driven or seen a GT-S, their knowledge is currently superficial. Therefore, I would greatly appreciate the collective knowledge and opinions from all of you on ML...

1. MC-Shift gearbox: suggested that its derived from the Ferrari 599 GTB, mainly deduced from its transaxle layout and 100ms shift time. Is this true and any real world experience (reliability, smoothness)?
   
2. Skyhook: although standard on GT, it's optional on GT-S. Apparently the standard fixed settings delivers better handling specific to the GT-S characteristics. Maserati's website says "...GT-S can be fitted with Skyhook electronically controlled suspension system that could be equated more with a comfort setting". Am I reading too much into this or does Skyhook harm handling even in the Sport setting or does it provide for better ride when needed?
   
3. "Limited" edition: they have told me it will be a 1-year only production MY09 and US to get 20-25 cars. The reason suggested is that they want to bridge the gap till the F149 GT launches and at that time will not want the GT-S to "cannibalize" Ferrari's offering. Opinions?

this would be a wonderful first maserati.
1. that is probably true. i think you need to ask 599 owners. i think they are fairly reliable.
2. you would not want the skyhook in lieu of the bilstein suspension. i have driven the QP Sport GT-S with the bilstein suspension and it works very well. it is firmer. but the car drives very sporty. there is really nothing wrong with the skyhook. but if you go for the GT-S, why get the 'standard' suspension?
3. i honestly doubt that 20-25 cars figure. that is very very very BS. how many dealers do they now have in the US? that is even more limited than the 8C (100 for the US?). i cannot imagine that number.
may be someone can find out more about this?

if the Maserati GT S shares the same assembly line with the F149, Ferrari will make more money off each F149 than the maserati. of course, the F149 is a ferrari and i am sure ferrari will make enough power difference in the F149 to justify the price difference. big foot mentioned about the resale value as well.

the F149 would be very exciting too... wait 10 more days to see its pictures..
but i would get the GT-S now and then think about the F149...

 

[Troesma]

Just spoke to my dealer. He can give me a NOV prod slot right now. Deposit is 20K US. Have not discussed price, options, etc. TBH I was thinking seriously of a MY09 example, and would be keen to wait for the F149 although I'll speak with him later today and will check what is the likely sticker price for it.

If the wedge is not too big, who knows.

I'll keep you guys posted.

Ed

 

[BigFoot]

Ed, the F149 is rumoured to cost more than the F430.

See: http://www.maseratilife.com/forums/showpost.php?p=31972&postcount=32