Maserati GranTurismo final model is an eye-catching Zeda

MANILA: It’s time to say addio to the GranTurismo. But maybe arrivederci is more proper as the Italian luxury brand closes its GranTurismo production with the GranTurismo Zeda.

To celebrate the 12-year run of the GranTurismo, the Italian brand unveiled the Zeda in its Modena, Italy, factory as a milestone car to mark the historic run of the GranTurismo model and to sound the bell for the “dawn of a new era.” After this, the Modena facility will be retooled to start production for a battery-electric sports car based on the Alfieri concept which the company will unveil during the 2020 Geneva auto show.

The Zeda boasts of an eye-catching, tri-color mix that starts with blue at the front and gradually transitions to black, then turns white as it moves to the rear. The finish also changes with the color, from a high-gloss shine at the front and changes to a satin effect at the back. Maserati calls it the “metallurgic” effect.

The color and the finish is symbolic of the past, present, and future according to the company while the name “Zeda” which means “Z” is a representation of a beginning for every ending. The very shiny and electric blue of the front fascia signals the future of Maserati which can be summe dup in one word: electric.

Under the hood, the GranTurismo Zeda remains unchanged. It is equipped with a 4.7-liter, 8-cylinder, V8 engine co-developed with its former sister company, Ferrari. The powerful engine can churn 460 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 519.3 Nm of peak torque at 4,740 rpm paired to a six-speed automatic transmission that can be left in drive or shifted manually using paddles.

The GranTurismo has been a staple in the Maserati portfolio for years. The current model saw its debut way back at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, making it a rather outdated model. So it is but fitting to cut production of a GranTurismo with much funfair.

After the unveiling of the GranTurismo Zeda, Maserati will be busy as it undertakes a new brand strategy that will focus on electrification and autonomous driving. This will be the rebirth of the GranTurismo portfolio as production will shift to their facility in Turin. Expect the first series-produced GranTurismo electric cars to arrive come 2021.

Also Read: Maserati GranTurismo becomes a police car in Dubai