When it comes to sports cars, you can’t deny that the Italians are masters – and the new 2016 GranTurismo from Maserati is perfect proof of just that. Most Americans know that even a used Maserati for sale is almost guaranteed to be an excellent, well-balanced sports vehicle.
Boasting a powerful drivetrain combined with the ultimate in luxury inside and out, the GranTurismo simply blows the competition, like the new 2016 Chevy Corvette Z06, way out of the water in terms of style and overall value for your money. Although the Corvette is an undeniably better racer, the GranTurismo offers a better balance of luxury and premium features alongside an excellent, capable engine that the Corvette simply doesn’t measure up to.
If you’re considering your next sports car, it’s worth it to a look at both the GranTurismo and Corvette Z06 side by side and decide for yourself which is the better option for you. Fro the looks of things from our angle, it looks like the Maserati might just be the one to pick.
Style
Both the GranTurismo and Corvette Z06 boast impressive styling, focused on sleek, bold lines and – most importantly – aerodynamic design for optimized efficiency on the road and on the track.
The GranTurismo – Sleek and Stylish
Whereas other sports models might favor highly angular designs, the 2016 GranTurismo instead follows a more flowing, organic form – starting with the curved oval grille and flowing back smoothly along the long aerodynamic hood. With angled LED headlights that seem to blend right into the curved fender, the GranTurismo maintains a sleek profile to compliment its overall dynamic appearance.
Integrated air vents and small, sculpted miniskirts on the side panels greatly improve airflow and complement the GranTurismo’s sweeping outline, and LED taillights leave a mark on all those who watch in awe as you drive by in your excellent new Maserati.
This design takes its inspiration from the Maserati Birdcage 75th concept car and is styled by Italian designer Pininfarina to maximize interior space while maintaining a natural fluidity in design. Drive around a bit in this GranTurismo and you’re sure to turn at least a few heads.
Available in eleven colors and five different rims options for 19- or 20-inch wheels, the GranTurismo is also supremely customizable so that you can find exactly the look of luxury that works for you.
The Corvette Z06 – Intimidating and Bold
Available in a coupe or convertible, and also with a manual or automatic transmission, is the impressive Corvette Z06. Designed to be a top-down driver, the Z06 boasts a lightweight aluminum frame accented by large air vents for optimized engine cooling and a wider rear for improved handling and a more aggressive stance.
With a wide, angular profile and an intimidating front fascia, the Corvette makes itself known on the road. And with a bold hood designed for maximized downforce and minimized drag, you’ll be able to sail over the track and look cool doing it.
Performance
As important as style is (and it definitely is) to a sports vehicle, what you really come looking for from these babies is performance, and how they handle in the most intense of driving situations.
But what you should look for in a vehicle depends on what you want to get out of it: are you more in the market for something reliably powerful that can handle regular use, or are you more in the mood for something that can really open up on track day? Fortunately, the choice is yours between the GranTurismo and the Corvette Z06.
The GranTurismo – A Well-Balanced Machine
Leading a whole new line of Maserati engines is the GranTurismo, featuring its own 4.2L V8 engine capable of 405 horsepower. This satisfying level of engine power comes with an impressive 13 miles per gallon city and 21 miles per gallon highway fuel economy that make the GranTurismo an excellent vehicle for regular driving – whether it be on the track at full speed or cruising around the neighborhood.
This GranTurismo features Maserati Stability Program technology, which constantly monitors stability to automatically adjust torque and activate the standard Brembo brakes in the event of slippery or uneven road surfaces – and all within milliseconds. This feature is automatic but can be turned down in Sport mode to minimize adjustments for a smoother and more consistent ride.
The Corvette Z06 – A Track-Centered Racer
Chevy’s new “supercar” is, simply put, built to be powerful – boasting a mighty 6.2L aluminum V8 engine capable of up to 650 horsepower as well as 650 lb.-ft of torque. This is a massive leg up in terms of power, and it comes in at 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway for an impressive fuel economy given its size and strength. Between that kind of power and efficiency, the Z06 is born to finish first on the track and zip around easily on the road.
Also boasting massive Brembo brakes as well as a customizable suspension system and an option of a seven-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission, the Corvette Z06 offers premium driveability thanks to its premium performance features.
Interior
Style is undeniably important, and performance is what makes a sports car a sports car. You as the driver, however, will not be sitting on the roof or in the engine block for the majority of the time you’ll be in your vehicle and so it’s important to consider which vehicle’s interior better suits your needs and wants as a driver.
The GranTurismo – Comfort For Everybody
If there’s one thing Maserati definitely knows how to do, it’s how to make luxurious vehicles. This means inside and out, including using some of the best premium materials and following a stylish, ergonomic design that evokes both the spirit of a racer and the elegance of a luxury model.
Generous sport seats comfortably fit four in this luxurious sedan, available with the highest quality Poltrona Frau handmade leather upholstery. From the adjustable power driver’s seat operators can utilize the paddle shifters and controls on the ergonomic, flat-bottomed, leather-wrapped three-spoke steering wheel.
Passengers can also enjoy total connectivity through the 7-inch Maserati Multimedia System screen located in the center dash, which both works as an infotainment system and a diagnostic center for your vehicle. Enjoy your music through the state-of-the-art Bose Surround Sound system for studio-quality sound, and keep everybody cozy with the dual zone climate control system.
The Corvette Z06 – Strapped In On The Track
Built to perfectly match the style of its exterior, the Corvette Z06 features an undeniably race-ready interior, including race-style GT seats with available premium Napa leather upholstery, a flat-bottomed leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, and an 8-inch color touchscreen featuring Chevrolet MyLink connectivity technology.
Unlike the GranTurismo, however, the Corvette is exclusively a two-seater, meaning less thought was put into making the interior comfortable for the long haul and more focused on safety and security on the track.
The GranTurismo Is Better All Around
Boasting more luxurious interior options, a sleek and attractive exterior design, and quality performance guaranteed to leave you satisfied, our choice for the winner between these two is the Maserati GranTurismo. Featuring more passenger room and overall a more comfortable, enjoyable ride, we think the GranTurismo is worth the extra money for such an excellent luxury vehicle.
If you haven’t had time to check our either of these vehicles for yourself, start by heading over to your nearby Maserati dealer and taking a look at the new GranTurismos in stock – you may just find yourself driving away in one.
