A direct descendant of the Maserati GranSport and the Quattroporte four-door sedan, the Maserati GranTurismo two-door coupe, introduced in 2007, mixes curvy styling, luxury interior appointments, and precise sport driving, all of which come together in a single grand touring automobile that competes well against the best from Jaguar, Porsche, BMW, and even Ferrari, as well as other European and Japanese automakers.

The distinctly Maserati exterior, with its oval-shaped, trident-iconed grille and sculpted lines, springs from the design shops of Pinanfarina, the legendary Italian automotive and industrial designer, and evokes the automaker's past while ensuring a contemporary flair that's guaranteed to get noticed on the road or in the parking lot. Some find fault with the portholes along the car's sides, but overall the GranTurismo's flowing design has drawn rave reviews.

Thanks to a configuration that positions the engine behind the front axle, which improves overall balance and provides precise control, the four-seat coupe handles curves nimbly and with assurance, while the 4.2-liter, 405-horsepower V8 engine accelerates smoothly, peaking at just the right point. The engine links to a new six-speed hydraulic automatic transmission with four modes -- normal, sport, manual, and ice, which makes shifting adjustments when driving on slick road surfaces.

Inside, all four passengers are pampered by Poltrona Frau leather sports seats with power adjustment in the front. Polished wood trim, hand-finished pockets, and ample storage areas make the GranTurismo both luxurious and functional. Standard features include an 11-speaker Bose Surround Sound audio system with a 30-gigabyte hard drive for storing music on board.

Some have noted that while Maserati has strived to provide ample interior space, the rear seat can feel cramped for tall adults, especially when it comes to head room. However, the good-sized trunk can carry two regular-sized golf bags or an exclusive set of five suitcases.

Some drivers and reviewers have also noted that the GranTurismo feels heavy, resulting in a sports car that doesn't have quite the visceral power it should. That may change in 2009, however, when Maserati unleashes a convertible version of the GranTurismo.