Maserati is going places, and its display at the Motor Show Live reflects the historic marque's burgeoning resurgence.

Three of the five models on display are making their UK premieres, with the super-luxury Quattroporte saloon and the GT-racing bound MC12 racer being joined in Birmingham by the exciting new GranSport, which Maserati describes as the ultimate 'extreme' version of the Coupe.

Outwardly Maserati (now headed by the highly rated former Ford Europe CEO Martin Leach) has taken the Coupe's graceful flowing lines and beefed them up to create an aggressive, purposeful appearance, as they look to draw in new customers who find the Coupe too 'tame'.

At the front, attention is instantly grabbed by a harsher looking new mesh grille in Quattroporte-style, which is complemented by a deeper, heavily cut out lip spoiler. New 19-inch alloy wheels, inspired by the Trofeo GT racing derivative, catch the eye as one's gaze chases the lines around the wings. Below the doors, a new side skirt runs in almost opposite contrast to the sweeping curves of the cars flanks, creating a sharp effect. Finally at the rear, a reprofiled bumper, which incorporates chrome mesh, covered recesses and a discreet boot lip spoiler, rounds out the visual changes.

The Coupe's 4.2-litre V8 engine has seen its power boosted from the original 390 bhp to 400 bhp, thanks to special development work to reduce internal friction and careful work on the intake manifolds and valve seats. The engine has been combined with a sports exhaust system that is instantly recognisable, thanks to the unusual design of its twin chrome exhausts. The exhaust system has been designed to give enthusiasts that instantly recognisable deep, full-bodied rumble. Thanks to an electronically controlled pneumatic valve system even more can be made of the exhaust by pressing the "Sport" button on the central console.

Maserati UK are very confident that the GranSport will be a hit with buyers, citing an English tradition of demand for ultimate performance versions of previous sportscar models. Reporting "strong interest" in the new model, which will arrive in right-hand drive format on these shores later this year, they are currently taking deposits, and expect around thirty of these new cars will be delivered to buyers by the end of the year.

ItaliaSpeed - 27 May 2004