Maserati’s GranTurismo, GranCabrio end production

MASERATI has officially ended production of its current-generation GranTurismo coupe and GranCabrio convertible after they debuted in 2007 and 2009 respectively, with one of the last examples to roll off the line in Modena, Italy, a one-off special called Zeda.

Based on the GranTurismo, the Zeda features unique exterior paintwork designed by Centro Stile Maserati, which the Italian brand says “tells the story of the dawn of a new era” as it looks to fully electrify the next-generation GranTurismo and GranCabrio due in 2021 and 2022 respectively as well as other models.

Described by Maserati as “the bridge which connects the past, the present the future of the brand”, the Zeda’s rear end features a light satin finish that gradually transitions to a burnished “metallurgic” effect for the mid-section and ultimately a vibrant blue for the front end.

“The finished overall effect is a masterclass in the complex use and juxtaposition of vastly differing effects,” the marque said in a press release. “Through manual skills, we go back in time, with today’s technology and know-how constantly evolving towards the future.”

For reference, Zeda means ‘Z’ in the Modena dialect and therefore “pays tribute to Maserati’s roots and reminds that there is a new beginning for every ending”, according to the brand.

During their production run, 40,520 examples of the Pininfarina-designed GranTurismo (28,805) and GranCabrio (11,715) were produced, with all motivated by a Ferrari-sourced 4.7-litre naturally aspirated V8 petrol engine that produced 338kW of power at 7000rpm and 520Nm of torque at 4750rpm.

Drive was exclusively sent to the rear wheels via a ZF-sourced six-speed torque-converter automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential.

In Australia, the GranTurismo range was most recently priced from $295,000 plus on-road costs, while the GranCabrio line-up kicked off at $335,000, with having received their final update in February 2018.

As reported, the next-generation GranTurismo and GranCabrio will be produced in Turin, Italy, while their predecessor’s Modena plant is already being renovated to support the construction of the long-awaited Alfieri coupe and convertible due in 2020 and 2021 respectively.

“Work has already started on a paint shop, a completely new addition to the facility, equipped with low-environmental-impact, innovative technologies and boasting a special design enabling customers to personally view the painting of their cars,” Maserati said in the press release.

The Turin facility is receiving an €800 million ($A1.3b) investment from the marque’s parent company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, which recently announced its plans to complete a merger with PSA Group and therefore create the world’s fourth largest car-maker by sales.