The trident’s seductive centennial

A stylish send off for the seductively sexy GranTurismo model line and a celebration of Maserati’s centenary, the dramatic MC Centennial coupe features rich new colours, alloy wheel designs and special interior and exterior details. Based on the raciest and most focused GranTurismo MC Stradale, the Centennial might also well be a last hurrah for Maserati’s glorious naturally aspirated V8 engine.

Powered by a crackling, popping and howling 4.7-litre V8, the GranTurismo’s successor is almost certain to be a more efficient and powerful — but less visceral — turbocharged engine. 

Focused and honed, the MC Stradale and Centennial special edition distils the GranTurismo’s sporting and dynamic potential. However, it remains a comfortable and spacious luxury sports coupe engineered for inter-continental travel and inspired handling.

Dramatic demeanour

Glamorous, exotic and dramatic, the Pininfarina-styled GranTurismo features a moody face, seductive proportions and voluptuous curves in all the right places, and with traditional front mid-engine platform, its engine lies low and behind the front axle. And with gearbox situated on the rear axle the MC Centennial features near ideal 52 per cent rear-biased within wheelbase weighting and a low centre of gravity.

Rakishly rising with heavily scalloped wings, the GranTurismo’s swooping curvy and luxuriously long snout features three side ports in silhouette, with its waistline trailing off to voluptuous Coke-bottle hips and a short pert rear deck. Dramatic and exotic, the GranTurismo’s low-slung concave horizontal-slat grille, low air splitter, hungry bonnet scoop, extractors, side gills and Neptune’s Trident badge evoke a shark-like predatory character. 

Using less unpainted lightweight carbon-fibre panels than the MC Stradale, the Centennial edition instead features either of two paint options, including deep three-layer Rosso Magma red with subtle blue and purple undertones or sophisticated Blu Inchiostro. While both colours reflect Maserati badge, the Centennial also features two-tone split five-spoke alloy wheels with three-pronged Neptune’s trident edges and centennial logo hub centres.

Crackling charisma

The MC Centennial’s urgently lusty, naturally-aspirated Ferrari-derived 4.7-litre V8 is the sort of visceral and evocative engine that will become a rarity in future as more efficient turbocharged engines become the norm. A model of pinpoint clarity and razor sharp throttle control responses, it provides a connection between car and driver, as one is able to unleash power with exacting increments.

Highly responsive to inputs, the Centennial’s charismatic V8 also alters tone and pitch with seductive nuance. Working through a medley of staccato crackles, resonant mid-range warbles and seductive snarls, it coalesces to a hard-edged wail as one reaches for its urgent high strung 7200rpm rev limit. Reduced sound deadening allows for fuller acoustics, especially in its more vocal and edgy “Race” mode.

Tractable at low revs and flexibly linear in mid-range, with 384lb/ft peaking at 4750rpm, the Centennial’s viciously responsive V8 is, however, at its best at high revs. Building power with addictive intensity as it rips through to its rev limit the Centennial develops 454BHP at 7000rpm, and can rocket through the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.5 seconds and onto a 303km/h top speed.

Clarity and commitment

Focused and track-orientated, the Centennial is 80kg lighter and lower than other GranTurismos, with firmer fixed rate — rather than adaptive magnetic — dampers mated to sophisticated double wishbone suspension. For better weighting and sharper, more resolute shifts, a rear-axle mounted robotised single-clutch transaxle 6-speed gearbox replaces lesser the front-mounted automatic. Shifting with concision at full load, robotised shifts are smoothed out by feathering the throttle at low speeds. 

Crisp and tidy into corners, the Centennial’s steering is nuanced, intuitive, direct and well weighted when loaded up through hard driven corners. Meanwhile, firm suspension provides superb body control, poise and agility through switchbacks, and a big footprint and limited-slip differential ensure confident cornering and committed road holding. Big 255/35ZR20 front and 295/35ZR20 tyres provide tenacious grip, while linear power delivery ensures they are not easily unstuck.

Responsively but progressive, the Centennial’s smooth — rather than suddenly surging — power delivery ensures rear wheel traction isn’t unintentionally broken. A limited-slip differential distributing power along the rear axle as needed, helping the Centennial to dig into a corner and pounce out as the road straightens. Meanwhile, firmer fixed dampers deliver superb high-speed stability and buttoned down rebound control, and a taut but not uncomfortable ride quality.

Lap of luxury

Settled securely in well adjustable, comfortable, and ergonomic seats in an attentive driving position, the focused four-seat Centennial luxury coupe seemingly shrinks around the driver and feels lighter than its 1800kg. A precision instrument easy to drive on-throttle through corners, the Centennial’s eager and long-legged throttle is responsive and accurate, and with balanced chassis, committed roadholding and communicative steering, it delivers neutral, predictable and progressive handling.

A spacious and practical long distance and track companion, the MC Centennial is classy, airy and evocatively sporty inside, with good visibility and spacious seating. A focused driving position is complemented with large clear instrumentation and fixed metal steering column-mounted gearbox paddle shifters, while standard multi-piston perforated ventilated carbon-ceramic disc brakes provide reassuringly effective, fade-free stopping power, bringing the Centennial to halt from 100km/h in 33 metres.

Luxuriously appointed, the Centennial features Poltrona Frau black leather upholstery with contrasting white double-stitching and red accents and embossed headrest Trident badges. Its supportive front seats feature stiff and light carbon fibre spine backs, while a rich suede roofliner contrasts with glossy carbon-fibre panels. Well-equipped, the Centennial features climate control, satnav, CD changer and USB/Bluetooth connectivity.