Video: Driving Northwest: The posh, pricey Maserati GranTurismo

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For the busy executive who wants to see Italy but doesn't have the time, why not drive a piece of it to the office? Starting at just $110,000 a person can skip the hassles of air travel and own a Maserati GranTurismo instead. 

Sure, it would be great fun to visit Italy and take wacky pictures of family members pretending to push the Leaning Tower of Pisa into place for next year's X-mas card, but these days you can just Photoshop shenanigans like that. Besides, a trip only lasts a week or two. With the GranTurismo you'll get years to enjoy beautiful design that the boot-shaped country is known for. There's even the renowned leather work inside the cabin. The food? Well, you're on your own there.

For a while, buying a Maserati in America was harder than getting authentic Italian cuisine at Pizza Hut. It disappeared in the U.S. completely in the early '90s and returned to America in 2002 after a 10-year absence. Its sister brand? A little Italian company called, uh … what's the name again? Oh yeah, Ferrari. Perhaps you've heard of it. These companies are both owned by Fiat. When plotting their return to our shores, Maserati set a lofty goal to bring quality and reliability up to par with the best in the world. While I can't bend space and time to understand how trouble-free these cars will be, fit and finish is top notch.

There are lots of great cars these days so why consider a GranTurismo? Style is one reason. In my two short days behind the wheel, it received a week's worth of attention. The GT is a beautiful car and becomes even more so the longer you stare at it. Another reason is exclusivity. For those who despise pulling up to the valet only to see the same Mercedes SL or Jaguar XK that they're driving filling up the lot, the GranTurismo is a problem solver. While Americans are buying more Maseratis than ever before, they’re still rather rare.

Motivating this 4,145-pound Italian is a sophisticated 4.2-liter V8 that makes 405 horsepower. A hint of its Ferrari origins is a wrinkled finish on the block. The deep baritone sound is the automotive equivalent of Pavarotti. The difference is that the car moves much faster than the late tenor ever did. Zero to 60 time is 5.1 seconds according to the manufacturer - pretty darn quick. Gears on the 6-speed automatic can be manually changed by using the shift lever or substantial feeling paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Feeling frisky? There's a sport mode that moves the shifts to a higher RPM point and makes them 40 percent faster. Some of those gear changes happen at RPMs as high as 7,200, which quite frankly, sounds better than the Bose sound system (or at least I think it does since I only listened to the V8).

As expected from its pedigree, the GranTurismo is a delight to drive. Ride quality can be as creamy as tiramisu. When the road turns Sophia Loren curvy, hit the sport button to firm up the suspension. It's serene but not overly quiet in the cabin because, as I've stated, you'll WANT to listen to the engine. GranTurismo has nearly perfect 50/50 weight distribution between the front and rear axel. So does a Miata, but what would you rather drive? 

My driving assistant Nathan Byers and I never touch the lofty performance limits, because it's clear that doing so would require bail money that neither of us have in the bank. While slicing around a well known tight corner that I use to gauge chassis dynamics, we find the road under water. Thank goodness the Brembo brakes are as strong as the Euro these days. Fuel economy? Drinking premium, expect 15 miles to the gallon, but those who can afford this car don't care much about such trivial matters.   

The interior looks as good as the exterior, maybe better. The wood trimmed wheel glides up, down, fore and aft. The fine stitching on the seats is perfect. As attractive as the cabin is, it's where most of the gripes creep in. The U.S. doesn't get Bluetooth phone connection so those phone icon buttons are just there to remind you of that. The nav system looks great but it's fussy to program and the steering wheel paddle shifters get in the way of the turn signals. I'll throw in power lock buttons located behind the shift lever. Everything is perfectly finished though and between the adjustable wheel and the sumptuous seats, it's easy to get comfortable. Certain to appeal to American are lighted cup holders. 

In back there are belts for two in the GranTurismo. Tip the front seatbacks forward and they glide forward automatically to allow access to the rear. Surprisingly those who enter this space will find room for average sized adults, Italian or otherwise. You can't say that too often about coupes. There are even more lighted cup holders back here. 

Moving to the trunk, the name GranTurismo suggests this Maserati would be a great touring car. I agree but pack lightly. Under the load floor there's only a repair kit, no spare. Even then the trunk is good for just three packs of carta igiènica, which is Italian for TP. Just a little fun fact you can use at your next get together. To max out the cargo space, Maserati offers custom fit luggage made by Salvatore Ferragamo. Since I have not seen this brand at Target, I will assume it's rather expensive. 

In the end, the GT has a lot to offer the buyer who has a lot of money to give. While this is not an inexpensive car, GranTurismo offers up exclusive style without stratospheric exotic car pricing. In a sense that makes this $110,000 piece of performance art a bargain. All that and it will take you to Italy faster than a jet, if only in your dreams.