IT IS called the Maserati GranTurismo and it has to be the most beautifully styled car in production today.

Penned by Italian design house Pininfarina, the GranTurismo is striking yet understated, sensual yet imposing, powerful yet elegant.

It is a design that means all things to all men; and there are very few such designs around.

The GranTurismo shares its platform with the Maserati Quattroporte sedan. So call it a Quattroporte coupe, if you like. And because it is based on the Quatt, it is a large car with a highly rigid chassis.

It is equipped with Maserati's Skyhook suspension which has electronic damper control. It is able to alter the car's ride characteristics in a fraction of a second.

Skyhook gives the sporty GranTurismo additional comfort.

In the performance department, the Maserati is suitably equipped, too. Its 405bhp 4.2-litre V8 - adapted from Ferrari's eight- cylinder block - is tuned for torque delivery rather than outright power.

The best way to enjoy this engine is by engaging the Sport mode, which sharpens throttle response, reduces shift times (dropping to a lower gear when necessary) and firms up the suspension.

Among competitors like the BMW 650i, Jaguar XKR and Mercedes CL500, the GranTurismo may not be the quickest in the century sprint, but its top speed is unrivalled at 285kmh (essentially because it does not have a limiter like the others).

The car's new ZF-built automatic gearbox is a far better choice than the clutch-actuated semi-autos the Fiat group seems to favour.

The GranTurismo's six-speed autobox can perform manual shifts when necessary; and it can do so very smoothly. Kickdown response is right on the money and the programming is suitable for most conditions.

Mountain passes or winding back roads are best tackled in manual mode. To manage them in full automatic mode, a car its weight (approaching 1.9 tonnes) would require 1,000Nm on tap.

The Maserati's cabin is as stunning as its exterior. Its tan leather upholstery and piano-black panels give it a classy finish. You can, of course, pick any combination of tones you want, down to the colour of the brake discs.

The 50 or so people who have placed orders for the car might be doing just that.

MASERATI GRANTURISMO

Price: $428,000 without COE
Engine: 4,244cc 32-valve V8
Transmission: Six-speed automatic with quick shift
Power: 405bhp at 7,100rpm
Torque: 460Nm at 4,750rpm
0-100kmh: 5.2 seconds
Top speed: 285kmh
Fuel consumption: 21.6 litres/100km (city)
Agent: Hong Seh Motors