Looking at the Maserati Granturismo S, you?re seeing Italian automobile design at its beguiling best. But more than that is the mix of chic, class and kudos mixed with a big dollop of performance dynamics added.

However the most surprising feature of the Maser was the manner in which it somehow hides its performance abilities, which become really obvious when you check your test equipment. And after getting used to on the track, it proved an extremely able device by clocking an impressive 2min05.3sec.

The Granturismo S is now more beautiful than the previous GT and also half a litre larger. Naturally, this assists its potential on the track but then also adds to its heavy fuel habits. However its road holding manners proved brilliant via some suspension upgrading and though bigger brakes were added, they proved a disappointment on the track.

Remember this is a Maserati and as such should shine in the latter department ? but we?re talking about extremes here, where only the best come out tops.

When it comes to comparing cars one of the main aspects must be the bang-for-your-buck scenario. In a world where saloon cars are able to compete with hallowed pedigrees as long as automobile history, it can prove a difficult task and one in which the Maserati battles to justify its R1.85-million price tag.

Beautiful, fast and unique, it will still tick the right boxes for those to whom money is no object.

Maserati GranTurismo S
Price: R1.85-million
kW/Nm: 323/490
0-100km/h (g): 5.8 secs
Top speed (c): 295km/h
Hot Lap (g): 2m05.3