At Maserati, However, certain decisions have always frustrated purists. These include the absence of a manual gearbox on the Maserati GranTurismo S. Launched in the late 2000s, this Ferrari-sourced, naturally-aspirated V8 GT offered either an automatic gearbox or the famous F1 robotized transmission... but never what many consider to be the very essence of driving pleasure: a metal grille and an old-fashioned lever. An American owner has decided to correct this “mistake” in his own way. And not by half.
Three years of development and 100,000 $
Behind this 2009 GranTurismo S now for sale lies an extraordinary project. According to the seller, it took more than three years' work and over $100,000 in investment to achieve this transformation. This figure includes not only the conversion itself, but also the purchase of the vehicle, the research and development phase, and all the engineering required to make the whole thing functional.
The result? A Maserati equipped with a 6-speed manual gearbox, a mechanical detail that radically changes the driving experience. The transformation relies in particular on Ferrari-derived elements, including a transmission and clutch base close to that used on the Ferrari F430, with a bespoke cable system and complete ECU reprogramming.
On paper, the project is technically interesting. Under the hood, we still find the 4.7-liter V8 producing 440 horsepower, now combined with a manual gearbox sending power to the rear wheels. A configuration that, for many, is finally what the GranTurismo should have been from the start.
But as is often the case with this type of transformation, reactions are divided. On the auction platform, some hail the “epic” achievement of bringing this GT back to life. Others, however, have their doubts. The advertised cost of $100,000 is the subject of debate, especially as similar kits are currently being offered for around $35,000.
This GranTurismo S boasts around 14,000 miles (just over 22,000 km), an elegant “Grigio Touring” gray configuration with a “Rosso Corallo” red interior, and top-of-the-range equipment typical of the Italian brand: Poltrona Frau leather, Bose audio system, Skyhook suspension.
But it's not perfect. As is often the case with these models, the famous “sticky” interior buttons are present, and a few defects are reported: scratches, interior wear, and above all an engine light on, linked according to the seller to the transmission conversion. A point which, according to the seller, is linked to the conversion of the transmission. A point which has not failed to provoke reactions from Internet users: difficult to accept for some on a car which has required such a budget.
A customer project... or a showcase in disguise?
Technical prowess aside, there's one particularly intriguing point in this dossier: the real origin of the project. Officially, it's a personal initiative, a passion project led by the owner. However, a number of factors suggest that this Maserati GranTurismo S may be much more than a simple whim of an enthusiast.
This car is the perfect match for the one presented a few months ago by European Auto Group, the Texas workshop specializing in manual gearbox conversions. Secondly, the amount of money involved. The $100,000 figure includes a large amount of research and development, which makes it look more like a prototype than a classic customer conversion. Especially as the kit is now being offered for around $35,000, reinforcing the idea that this car would have served as a development base.
But the seller says he has nothing to do with this company:
I am neither an employee of EAG nor connected with the company in any other way. As I've already said, I'm a customer. I'm passionate about luxury cars with manual gearboxes; I've owned almost every model on the market. This project was a real passion for me, and I'm very pleased with the result! I'll provide you with all the documentation and details I have on the process. As you've already mentioned, the complete kit is now available from EAG; you'll find plenty of detailed information on the site about its features.
Is the owner really a customer prepared to pay 100,000 $ (including the price of the car) for this conversion, when it is advertised at 35,000 $ on the EAG website? Why resell it after only a few months? Did he finance part of the development in exchange for becoming the first to drive with this technology? Is this an internal project presented as a private initiative? In the final analysis, this Maserati may well be a prototype. But something's not quite right.
In any case, it exists. If you'd like to buy the world's only Maserati Granturismo S with manual gearbox, it's currently at 24,000 $ at auction and there are 5 days left.
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