2015 Maserati GranTurismo MC Centennial Edition Coupe And Convertible

Maserati

is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year and just like pretty much every car brand that celebrates anniversaries these days, the Italian automaker is set to introduce a special-edition

GranTurismo MC

to commemorate the occasion. The car is called the GranTurismo MC Centennial Edition and as expected, it comes with a bevy of exterior and interior upgrades befitting a model that’s been designated with the important "anniversary model" label.

Give how incredibly sexy the GranTurismo MC already is in its standard guise, it seems like Maserati just found the perfect opportunity to create a limited run of GranTurismo MC models that makes it even more attractive. The GranTurismo MC Centennial Edition is set to become available in the next few months as either a coupe

or aconvertible

model.

If deciding on getting one isn’t hard enough already, you now have to choose between getting a coupe or a drop-top. Then again, there are worse problems to have these days, and being in that situation should be considered a blessing.

Click past the jump to read more about the 2015 Maserati GranTurismo MC Centennial Edition Coupe and Convertible.

Exterior

It’s still a Maserati GranTurismo MC, so don’t expect any added components or a completely new design to the sports car

. What you can expect, though, are three new ‘three-layer’ color schemes — Pietra Grey, Magma Red, and Inchiostro Blue — that will be added to the four colors that are already available for the GranTurismo MC. That at least gives you a chance to choose from a bigger variety of neatly-dressed GranTurismo MC models.

As a side note, the Magma Red and Inchiostro Blue colors are actually modern-day interpretations of the colors used on the Maserati logo, while also representing the traditional colors of the town of Bologna in Italy where the brand was born in 1914.

To go with the three new colors, the company will also offer four special finishes for the wheels. And if you look closer at those wheels, you’re going to notice that the center cap features Maserati’s medal-shaped centenary logo that will also be available in either a matte Smoke Grey or a Charcoal Grey finish.

Interior

Another noticeable change are the leather upholstered seats that have been highlighted by a contrasting decorative insert that's based on the three colors - red, white, or blue - of the seat profiles.

The configuration of the GranTurismo MC Centennial Editon’s interior also remains the same, but the unique dress up is pretty comprehensive. One of the bigger adjustments was to complement all seven exterior finishes of the special edition and translate them into the cabin. So whatever color you choose for this model, a similar shade will be used on the interior. Take for example the Inchiostro blue body finish. With it, you get nice white leather seats and dashboard with Santorini Blue inserts and stitching.

Another noticeable change are the leather upholstered seats that have been highlighted by a contrasting decorative insert that’s based on the three colors - red, white, or blue - of the seat profiles. Notice how the black leather of the seats and dashboard has a striking look when combined with the red, white and blue of the full-length seat profiles. That’s unique to the GranTurismo MC Centennial Edition, evoking a saucier looking interior that brings out the special edition nature of the model.

Carbon fiber was also generously used on the cabin, specifically on the inserts, the dashboard, seat surrounds and by a kick plate that also includes the company’s centenary logo.

Drivetrain

No performance enhancements were given to the Gran Turismo MC Centennial Edition so expect to see the same 4.7-liter, V-8 engine that produces 454 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque while mated to a six-speed ZF automatic transmission. Top speed has been announced at 185 mph while covering 0-to-60 mph only takes 4.9 seconds.

Type	4.7 liter V8
Horsepower	454 HP
Transmission	ZF 6-speed Automatic
Top Speed	185 mph

Prices

The GranTurismo MC Centennial Editon range will be available alongside the current Maserati range with sales due to begin in July 2014. No word yet on how much it’s going to cost but we expect it to be in the $135,000 range.

Competition

Aston Martin V8 Vantage N430

This is another limited edition supercar that the Maserati GranTurismo MC Centennial Edition can proudly call a competitor. Introduced earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage N430 draws inspiration from the popular CC100 model that we recently saw and the company’s iconic racing history.

Like the GranTurismo Centennial Edition, the V8 Vantage N430 will be made available later this year with five unique color schemes, including the seductive Alloro Green exterior paint with matching Yellow Club Sport graphics pack. The N430 also stands to gets some new interior digs like the machined carbon sill plates the Kevlar and carbon-fiber seats.

Moving under its hood, the special edition V8 Vantage will still get the the same 4.7-liter V-8 that powers the base V8 Vantage. A little extra power sees the output reach 430 horsepower and 361 pound-feet of torque, enough to allow the supercar to hit 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds to go with a top speed of 190 mph.

Pricing for the N430 begins at t £89,995 ($150,435 at the current exchange rates), an exorbitant number that drastically limits the market for the vehicle.

Conclusion

The Maserati GranTurismo MC is one of our favorite supercars, so it goes without saying that we’re pretty impressed with all the unique modifications of the Centennial Edition. The fact that it’s available as a coupe and a convertible is an added convenience for those who can’t pick between the two models.

The price is a little steep, but still expected of the car, especially considering all the aesthetic additions Maserati gave it.

LOVE IT

Well dressed interior
Coveted model with special edition label
Power output isn’t an issue

LEAVE IT

Limited number of models
Do you really need to get one?
Kind of wish Maserati put in some new aero components

If one needs more Maserati surprise, style and passion, the all new Ghibli App is also enjoying its global debut in New York.

About the GranTurismo MC Centennial Edition Range:
“The GranTurismo MC Centennial range are vibrant offerings which reference the storied passion and romance of the Maserati tradition. Along with the Ghibli and Quattroporte sedans, which have found a welcome reception in the market, the sporty new GranTurismo MC Centennial Edition coupes and convertibles are for those who desire inspired automobiles,” commented Peter M. Grady, President and CEO of Maserati North America, Inc.

Both Centennial Edition models will feature three special new ‘three-layer’ colour schemes in addition to the four already available for the GranTurismo MC. There is a wide choice of wheels too, with four special finishes for the MC and Trofeo designs. At the center of the wheels appears the medal-shaped centenary logo, itself available in two finishes, matte Smoke grey and Charcoal grey, depending on wheel design and color.

The GranTurismo MC Centennial Editon range comes with a wide range of interiors too. Each of the seven exterior finishes is combined with a specific interior finish. The leather upholstered seats boast a particularly aggressive look with a contrasting decorative insert based on the three colors (red, white and blue) of the seat profiles. The motif also extends to the headrests and surrounds the embroidered Trident logo.

The special three-layer paint finishes include Magma red and Inchiostro blue, two colors that emphasize the sporting nature of the more extreme MC versions of the GranTurismo and GranTurismo Convertible. These two colors are a modern interpretation of those of the Maserati logo and also represent the traditional colors of the town of Bologna where the company was founded in 1914. The combinations of colors found in the interiors also reflect the three-tone finish of the body and wheels.

The black leather of the seats and dashboard is strikingly offset by the red, white and blue of the full-length seat profiles and by stitching in a color that mimics that of the laser engraved details on the wheels. The same color combination appears on the leather covered steering wheel. The sporting appearance of the interior is enhanced by carbon fiber inserts on the dashboard, seat surrounds and by a kick plate on which the celebratory centenary logo takes pride of place. The same interior color scheme is also available for the Pietra gray exterior finish. The interior color scheme associated with the three-layer Inchiostro blue body finish contrasts white leather seats and dashboard with Santorini Blue inserts and stitching.

The GranTurismo MC Centennial Editon range is powered by the 454 HP, 4.7 liter V8, combined with a ZF 6-speed Automatic transmission, providing superb performance and a top speed of 185 mph. Dual cast Brembo brakes and sport-tuned MC suspension also come standard. In keeping with Maserati philosophy, the vehicles also benefit from the advances made on previous models in terms of reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The GranTurismo MC Centennial Editon range will be available alongside the current Maserati range with sales due to begin in July 2014.

Cars

2015 Maserati GranTurismo MC Centennial Edition Coupe And Convertible