MASERATI 3200GT

Article Date : 6 july 2000
Reviewer : The Asian Auto Editorial Team
More reports : Specifications

YESS MASER…

Aidi of Next Car told me at the offset that not everyone gets the privilege of testing the new Maserati 3200 GT. My pulse was racing, my heart was racing and my hands were shaking in anticipation…. sounds like the lyrics for some rock song doesn’t it? Go ahead, say it like Elvis would have…sounds pretty good eh?

Of course initially Ian Geekey the MD of Next car was responsible for the first yes to my request for a test drive, upon which I almost fainted, but that’s just me. I get very weak at the knees when I am about to test a car that is more expensive than my house, in fact more expensive than my house, your house, as well as their house put together. So the scene was set and the day was decided upon.

When I arrived at Next car I was greeted by none other than a smiling Aidi who motioned me to the back of the building where the Maser stood primed and ready for take off. I was filled with a strange sense of trepidation (what exactly that means I am not sure… but it sure sounds impressive), I stood there for a moment just gawking and trying not to salivate, which is drool to you common folk.

This car looks absolutely stunning; if a picture is worth a thousand words then a picture of this particular Maserati just got listed on the main board. If James Bond were Italian (cue dramatic music) he would drive this car, if Simon Templar’s name were Simoni Templari, the Saint’s choice would be…. the Maserati 3200GT (end dramatic music) If I were rich I’d buy two, one for me…. and one more for me.

The front of this car looks menacing, with its mouth agape it looks very predatory, and having that trident right in the middle really sets the whole thing off. There is something about Italian marques logos and symbols that just make the rest look positively lame and in some instances downright dowdy.

Take for instance the famous Ferrari logo of the prancing horse, and then compare it with the TVR whose logo is…(drum roll please). A stylized version of the letters T..V..R! Now that must have taken some serious thought. Now how evocative is that?

Tis a shame though because most of the time and for most of us cars are an object of desire and one not normally ruled by the head but by the heart, which would go a long way in explaining why I can drive a clapped out Alfa Romeo Alfasud and feel moved whilst a blast in some top of the range Jap sports cars can leave me strangely numb.

Actually, come to think of it, even the mere mention of the names Lancia, Alfa, De Tomaso, Maserati, are enough to get my pressure up, Honda does not quite cut it I’m afraid….but I digress, back to the Maserati at foot (and hands come to think of it)

I must admit though that the shape initially takes getting used to for some, but to me it is bold and beautiful nonetheless, and there the comparison must stop as I do not want a car of this caliber to be associated any further with that tacky TV soap opera, although the opera bit applies to the Maser as it does sing a lovely tune.

The rear of this car is, I feel, its best asset (pun intended), those lights are evil and so distinctive that one has the feeling of being stared down by a squinting Clint Eastwood…..scary yet exciting at the same time…”Go ahead Merc, make my day” and all this while running backwards if you get my drift…no I will not explain myself, you figure it out.

Initially I was under the impression that I was to be let loose in the beast all by my lonesome, but it was not to be. Enter David Culver, Next Car’s Tech Head Honcho. David would take the wheel first to talk me through certain aspects of the car.

So off we went and what struck me immediately was the smell of leather, I wager that more than one cow had to perish for this car, fortunately I am not a vegetarian so my sensitivities were not affected. David did some speeds of which I cannot mention and as a passenger the car never felt in danger of putting a foot wrong, all the while he was chatting away but I was more interested in the glorious noise that the Maser was making, a rumble at low revs rising to a screaming crescendo at red line…lovely.

Now it was my turn to get behind the wheel and first impressions were good, the seats were supportive, all controls fell easily to hand and the leather clad steering wheel felt great. The instrumentation was clear and reminiscent of sixties sportscars..just the way I like them.

As soon as I saw a gap I put the pedal to the metal and shot out onto the highway, this car is fast, before I knew it I was at 200 over kmh, the Maser felt stable and did not have any untoward tendencies or handling bias in high speed cornering, though I must confess that I was not really pushing it.

For a GT the ride was firm but that is a trade off that I am willing to accept at the price of such good handling. Turn –in was sharp and steering feedback was good especially while cornering at speed where it would load up nicely to provide the added feel that you need, when you need it most.

Performance wise this Maserati not only is fast on paper, but on tarmac she feels just as fast, in fact I was pleasantly surprised at the kick in the back that I got whenever I floored it, quite addictive and coupled with the glorious noise…which to me I wish were less muffled, hence my winding the windows down ever so often.

Initial pick up is furious and the mid-range is strong as well so here you have the best of both worlds, great sprinting ability as well as massive over taking capabilities. And lest you fret about being able to stop in time, the brakes have great feel and will slow you down almost as fast as you could wish it – confidence inspiring.

I have placed my order, have you?? (yes, the rubber mats were all I could afford – Ed.)

TECH SPECS:

· Engine – V8, 3217cc, 32 valve, twin turbo
· Max power – 370bhp @ 6250 rpm
· Max Torque – 362lbft @ 4500 rpm
· Power/Weight – 237bhp per ton
· Transmission – 4 speed auto
· Tyres – 235/40 x 18 front, 265/35 x 18 rear
· 0-62mph – 5.1secs (claimed)
· Top Speed – 174mph (claimed)
· Price - POA