| 2011 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible vs 2010 Aston Martin DB9 Volante | March 18, 2010 | AUTORIVALS.NET |
| Share |
|
|
|
| What can you really say about these
super cars. The new GranTurismo Convertible (also known as the
GranCabrio) and the Aston Martin DB9 Volante are the automotive
equivalent of supermodels or
Jimmy Kimmel's Handsome Club. They evoke the same euphoric
emotions when looking at them and seem like they belong in an
art gallery rather than on the road. But luckily, they're more
than just eye candy. The GranTurismo Convertible comes powered
by the same 4.7L V8 in the GranTurismo S coupe while the DB9
Volante gets a 6.0L V12. At least there's something to look at
as they burn past you... if you're lucky enough to see one that
is. |
||
| 2011 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible | vs | 2010 Aston Martin DB9 Volante |
 |
 |
|
| The GranTurismo and DB9 follow two
different design paths. The GranTurismo is seductive yet
menacing while the DB9 is refined and prestigious. The
GranTurismo seems to have just the right amount of curves and
lines, somewhere in between a Ferrari and an Aston Martin. The
sculpted fenders and hood are sexy while the sharp headlights
give off a intimidating stare. I'll admit I'm a little partial to Aston Martins (not including the Cygnet). Vehicles like the V8 Vantage, DBS, and this DB9 convertible seem to have the perfect sports car proportions with one of the most elegant designs ever. It's not as voluptuous as the GranTurismo but seems more sophisticated. |
||
 |
 |
|
| The GranTurismo is the larger car and is actually the largest one in it's class. It doesn't look it though with a stretched wheelbase which creates shorter overhangs and more interior space. The three oval vents on the front fender and a nice touch but seem to lack the elegance of the DB9's vents. The wheels also seem to fall short on refinement compared to the Aston Martin but that's a good thing if it's the only thing to complain about. The rest of the GranTurismo's design is enough for love at first sight. | ||
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
| Both cars have perfectly
proportioned long hoods and short decks. The GranTurismo gets
longer doors to help maintain a balance in the side profile.
Aston Martin and Maserati were able to maintain the profile of
the coupe counterparts with soft tops to give the world two of
the most beautiful convertibles today. Dual exhausts are out back but the Maserati gets four pipes versus the DB9's two. It all seems to fall in line with what the designers were aiming for. For instance, the GranTurismo would look off with only two exhaust pipes while twin exhausts on each side of the DB9 would look out of place. The GranTurismo's taillights are nice but the DB9's sideways U-shaped lights are one of the best in the industry. |
||
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
| Luckily, Maserati and Aston Martin still keep their interiors relatively simple which allows for exquisite and elegant designs. The simple and complicated luxuries are there but aren't in your face like, for instance, Ferrari's new F1 cockpit layout. Maserati's and Aston Martin's dashboard designs are like a Rolex whereas Ferrari would be a Breitling. Sometimes you look at a watch to admire it as jewelery, not to tell you what time it is. | ||
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RECAP | RECAP | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
PROS +Seductive design +Larger but doesn't look it CONS -Could use some better wheels |
PROS +Elegant design +Exquisite interior CONS -50 grand more |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Video Source: worldcarfans.com via YouTube | Video Source: CNET via YouTube |
|