Featuring a potent V8 developed with Ferrari, the F136 Maserati GranTurismo engine is renowned for its multiple awards. We review the best aspects of the reliable engine.
When thinking of a super-sleek, sexy coupe, the image that one usually conjures up is that of a sports car. Agile reflexes, a high-strung engine, and limited accommodations for luggage usually mean that while sports cars rate very high on the fun-to-drive index, they might not be what you need on a road trip.
Enter the grand tourer, a subset of the sports car. Designed to cover long distances with both speed and comfort, they are the perfect vehicle to choose for a long weekend getaway. And when it comes to grand tourers, no one does it better than the Italians.
The Maserati GranTurismo is one of those renowned grand touring cars. Let’s examine the V8 engine under that curvy hood.
The Ferrari Maserati
To understand where the engine in the GranTurismo comes from, you have to go back to 1997, when the company was bought by Fiat. That year, Fiat sold 50% of Maserati to its biggest rival, Ferrari, which was also a Fiat brand.
Ferrari turned Maserati into its luxury division, which resulted in heavy collaboration between the brands. Reentering the U.S. market in 2002, it quickly became Maserati’s largest market.
The Ferrari-Maserati relationship was not meant to last, and in 2006, Fiat broke Maserati off into another group with Alfa Romeo and Abarth. However, the Ferrari ties remained with the use of a Ferrari-derived V8 in the GranTurismo.
Ferrari has a closely-related version of this car called the California that was actually meant to be its successor. They share engines, chassis, and if you squint hard enough, some looks.
The GranTurismo design dates back to 2006, and as a result shares almost nothing with more modern Maseratis produced under the current FCA partnership. Ferrari’s contract with Maserati will not be renewed, and no new shared engines will be produced for Maserati starting in 2022.
The F136 V8
The GranTurismo is powered by the F136 V8 and mated to either a six-speed automatic or automated manual transmission. You can get a coupe or convertible body style, the latter named the GranCabrio.
This 90-degree, dual overhead cam, naturally-aspirated V8 traces its lineage all the way back to the Ferrari 360 Modena from 1999, and is produced at the same factory as Ferrari’s F1 engines. The engine sits far back against the firewall in the engine bay, making this more of a “front mid-ship” layout than pure front-engine. This is for better weight distribution and handling characteristics.
Crossplane vs. Flatplane
A key difference in this engine verses its Ferrari applications is its crossplane crankshaft. A crossplane design is more common in automotive engines, while a flatplane is reserved for more exotic applications. The key benefit of a flatplane design is a crankshaft machined from a flat billet, making it lighter, with better symmetry. It also offers greater tuning efficiency for more power. Producing a loud but usually enjoyable sound, it’s now reserved for a few highly exotic vehicles.
As Maserati is considered down market from Ferrari, the GranTurismo V8 received the “lesser” of engine designs, but it still makes an excellent sound, with little to no vibration.
Wet Sump vs. Dry Sump
Another feature not shared with its Ferrari cousins: wet sump lubrication system versus a dry sump for the Ferrari version of the engine.
A wet sump system is much more common and has the oil stored at the bottom of the engine in an oil pan. While this is more efficient to package in a car, in some high-performance-driving situations, oil can pool to one side during turns, leaving the engine starved of oil if it pools away from the oil pickup.
A dry sump system has the oil stored in a separate oil tank, and this ensures the engine has oil flowing to it even during high-speed action.
GranTurismo Engine Options
The base model GranTurismo gets 405 horsepower and 339 lb.-ft. of torque from its F136 U 4.2-liter engine. This motor loves to rev, and peak horsepower doesn’t arrive until 7,100 rpm. It goes from 0n to 60 in 4.9 seconds, and the quarter miles comes in at 13.5 seconds.
The rest of the GranTurismo lineup gets a version of the aluminum V8 with a 2.0-millimeter bore increase and a 4.7 mm stretch in stroke, yielding 4,691 cc versus 4,244. Placing the car in Sport mode opens a pair of valves in the exhaust system to enhance sound.
The first Maserati with this engine was the GranTurismo S, producing 433 horsepower and 361 lb.-ft. of torque. It can hit 0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds, and the GranTurismo S will hit a top speed of 183 mph.
Replacing the S in 2013, the final iteration of the GranTurismo is the Sport and MC, which features the same 4.7-liter V8, now up to 454 horsepower and 384 lb.-ft. of torque. The 0 to 60 arrives in 4.6 seconds, with a top speed of 186 mph. The hood scoops and vents on the MC are non-functional.
Reliability and Maintenance
This is an exotic Italian sports car, and maintenance costs reflect that high-end heritage. Oil changes are in the range of $500 and up, with the average 6,000-mile service around $1,800. The GranTurismo is rated as the most reliable of modern Maseratis.
If you’re in the market for a used Maserati, consider certified pre-owned. They include a 120-point inspection, extended factory warranty coverage, and 24-hour roadside assistance.
A Throwback Classic
While the GranTurismo’s end-of-production was slated as recently as 2020, the car didn’t change much from its 2008 introduction. This means that you’re getting navigation, climate controls, and a general layout that might feel alien in today’s multi-screen market.
This extends to the engine, too. Nearly every luxury automaker has switched to turbocharged engines, which produce more power with better efficiency than the V8 in the GranTurismo.
But don’t let that stop you, because driving this car is an experience like no other. Turn the key in the ignition (no push-button start!), and listen to that magnificent V8 roar to life. Wherever your destination lies, you’re going to get there with a smile on your face.
Photos: Maserati
