Maserati Ignites The Track With A Centenary GranTurismo Masterpiece
Maserati just pulled the cover off its “Project GT4,” which it hopes will extend its presence in the international GT4 motorsport class, as well as add another puzzle piece to its rich racing heritage. Project GT4, which we now know is an upgraded, race-spec GranTurismo, will stand as the brand’s latest expression of high-performance, Italian style, and motorsport-derived vehicles, joining the likes of the GT2 and MCXtrema.
Project GT4 Blends Luxury, Livability, And Track Readiness
Maserati builds the GT4 on top of the new GranTurismo — an already noteworthy model from the brand. This means that the high-quality interior, technology, and craftsmanship found in the road version will be present in this race-spec version… sort of. Maserati states that the GT4’s cabin will retain the hallmarks of the GT dashboard, though it will “adopt a configuration oriented toward maximum ergonomics and efficiency on the track.” This likely refers to the stripping of certain features in the name of track ability.
The use of the road-going GranTurismo’s core components is done intentionally to not only illustrate how naturally the road car’s setup transfers to the track, but also to limit management and maintenance. Race cars can be very pricey to repair. Project GT4 aims to reduce these headaches by retaining much of the road car’s machinery. It’s never cheap to repair a Maserati, though it will be slightly more affordable when parts are accessible.
The GT4 will feature a roll cage, homologated seat and tank, and a weight loss of approximately 880 pounds, so don’t expect it to be as plush as the road-going GranTurismo. That said, Maserati’s goal with Project GT4 is to bridge the gap between racing and mass production, which has long been one of the Italian brand’s philosophies.
The Formula 1-Inspired Nettuno V6 Strikes Again
The Nettuno twin-turbo V6 sits at the helm, and though we don’t know the exact output yet,the GranTurismo Trofeo gets 582 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque from the Nettuno. Maserati states that, in certain tunes, the Nettuno can make more than 690 horsepower; it makes around 621 and ~630 horsepower in the MC20 and GT2 models, respectively.
Modena-Made Street Cred In The Form Of Knowledge And Design
Project GT4 utilizes the knowledge Maserati gained from the GT2, which it injects into the refinement of the latest GranTurismo. From the aerodynamic additions to the engine and chassis, Maserati wants to ensure the GT4 holds a candle to the GT class’ top players. It incorporates feedback from both Maserati Corse and Andrea Bertoli, Maserati’s Chief Test Driver, to give the GT4’s production real-world track insights.
The rear-wheel-drive architecture comes from the GranTurismo Trofeo and includes adjustable shock absorbers and anti-roll bars, as well as a highly optimized aluminum platform. The GT4’s further race car transformation includes a front splitter, enhanced aerodynamic design, front dive planes, a redesigned hood, dedicated brake systems with cooling, and a set of 18-inch GT4-compliant wheels.
To 100 More Years Of Excellence
Maserati is also dedicating a special livery to Project GT4 as well, and it will call back to both the Trident logo’s centennial, as well as Modena, Italy. A large trident stretches from the roof to the rear, while 100 small tridents scatter alongside the large one. A white front end calls back to Maserati’s racing heritage, as seen on some of the brand’s most iconic race cars. Here, it serves as homage to past racing exploits, and the start of new ones.
Sources: Maserati
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