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Mercedes-AMG launches its performance offering for the new GLE generation with the GLE 53. The basis for the signature AMG driving dynamics is provided by the 429 hp 3.0-liter six-cylinder in-line engine, the fully variable all-wheel drive, the agile 9-speed automatic transmission, the AMG-specific drive programs and the AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL based on AIRMATIC with electro-mechanical roll stabilization. Thanks to the AMG-specific radiator grille with 15 vertical strips, it is immediately obvious that it is part of the AMG family. Numerous options such as the selectable performance exhaust system and the AMG steering wheel buttons make the driving experience even more dynamic.

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“As the inventors of the performance SUV, it is important to us to continue to be at the top with the new generation of the GLE when it comes to innovations, driving dynamics, individuality and design. The first step here is the new Mercedes-AMG GLE 53, with which we offer our customers more power than the predecessor model as well as our fully variable all-wheel technology. Not least of all its striking radiator grill shows our new GLE 53 as a fully-fledged member of the AMG family,” states Tobias Moers, Chief Executive of Mercedes- AMG GmbH.

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Mercedes-AMG GLE 53

Always staying nicely in line: six-cylinder engine with turbocharging

Its centerpiece is the electrified 3.0-liter engine featuring turbocharging and an electric auxiliary compressor. The 6-cylinder in-line engine generates 429 hp and delivers maximum torque of 384 lb-ft. Its EQ Boost starter generator briefly provides an additional 21 hp of output plus 184 lb-ft of torque and additionally feeds the 48 V on-board electrical system.

The EQ Boost starter-generator combines a starter and generator in a powerful electric motor and is fitted between the engine and transmission. This innovation as well as the intelligent charging via an electric auxiliary compressor and an exhaust gas turbocharger all have the same goal: to enhance the hallmark AMG performance and driving dynamics, but also to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. This move has been a successful one: The GLE 53 accelerates from zero to 60 mph in just 5.2 seconds.

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Mercedes-AMG GLE 53

It really turns on the pressure: electric auxiliary compressor

The electric auxiliary compressor builds up a high level of boost pressure without any delays until the big exhaust gas turbocharger kicks in. As a result, the 3.0-liter engine reacts quickly and provides a dynamic response without turbo lag. An additional bonus is the high level of refinement of the six- cylinder in-line engine.

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Mercedes-AMG GLE 53

It will be electrifying: 48 V on-board electrical system

The EQ Boost starter-generator can do even more. It also provides the 48 V on- board electrical system with electricity. The conventional 12 V electrical system is also supplied from the new network by means of a DC/DC converter. The 48 V battery increases the overall battery capacity in the vehicle, which supplies more electrical energy. An additional advantage: the same power requires only a quarter of the current when compared to a conventional system. The result is that the wiring can be thinner and therefore lighter, which indirectly contributes to efficiency. The existing 12 V system supplies power to consumers such as lights, cockpit, infotainment displays and control units.

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Mercedes-AMG GLE 53

EQ Boost starter-generator

The EQ Boost starter generator is a key component of the 48 V system and not only serves as a generator, but is also responsible for hybrid functions. This allows fuel savings that were previously reserved for high-voltage hybrid technology. For the first time, the EQ Boost starter-generator is also responsible for idle speed control.

The hybrid functions include boost with up to an additional 21 hp of output and 184 lb-ft of torque, energy recovery, shifting of the load point, gliding mode and the virtually imperceptible restarting of the engine with the start/stop function.

Because the belt for ancillary components on the front edge of the engine is omitted, the installation length of the new six-cylinder engine is also significantly reduced when compared with conventional six-cylinder engines. This creates space for an exhaust gas aftertreatment system mounted near the engine, which is particularly efficient. The particulate filter is the only part of the emission control system that is under the floor.

A special acoustic experience comes courtesy of the optional, selectable AMG Performance exhaust system. The variable adjustable exhaust flaps provide the option to change the sound of the vehicle at the touch of a button. Depending on the drive program, the sound characteristics change from unobtrusive comfort to maximum dynamic appeal.

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Mercedes-AMG GLE 53

Speedy shifting: AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9G

The AMG SPEEDSHIFT TCT 9-speed automatic transmission ensures dynamic gear shifting with extremely short shift times. It is optimally tuned to the engine and promises agile acceleration typical of AMG as well as speedy shifting – regardless of automatic or manual shift modes, controlled via the steering wheel shift paddles. Upshifts and downshifts are implemented instantly. Especially in the “Sport+” and in manual driving modes, the transmission is very responsive. Multiple downshifts enable quick bursts of speed and make shift operations acoustically more dynamic.

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Mercedes-AMG GLE 53

Grip: AMG Performance 4MATIC+ all-wheel drive

The new GLE 53 is equipped for maximum traction and dynamics with AMG Performance 4MATIC+ fully variable all-wheel drive. The intelligent steering variably links the permanently driven rear axle with the front axle and continually calculates the optimum torque distribution – depending on the driving situation and the driver’s wishes. The all-wheel drive thus improves longitudinal dynamics as well as traction and lateral dynamics. The outcome: more powerful acceleration from a standing position and for short sprints.

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Mercedes-AMG GLE 53

Total stabilization: AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL

Redeveloped in Affalterbach, AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL based on AIRMATIC forms the basis of a driving experience characterized by a high level of agility, neutral cornering behavior and optimal traction. A new feature makes a significant contribution to the AMG-specific tuning for high levels of driving dynamics: the active roll stabilization with two electro-mechanical actuators working independently of one another on the front and rear axle, as well as fully variable torque distribution.

Not only does the system reduce rolling movements when cornering, it also enables more precise tuning of cornering and load changes. In addition, it increases driving comfort when driving straight ahead. Movements in the body can be actively and optimally adjusted to driving conditions.

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Mercedes-AMG GLE 53

Air suspension with continuously adjustable damping

The AMG ACTIVE RIDE CONTROL based on AIRMATIC with particularly sporty spring/damper set-up, including adaptive adjustable damping ADS+ (Adaptive Damping System), combines outstanding driving dynamics with high ride comfort. The damping characteristics can be pre-selected in three modes, “Comfort”, “Sport” and “Sport+”, allowing a significantly more noticeable differentiation between excellent long-distance comfort and sporty driving dynamics. In addition, there are two new levels for off-road use – “Trail” and “Sand”.

Thanks to pneumatic self-levelling at the front and rear axle, the GLE 53 maintains a constant ride height regardless of the vehicle load. The vehicle level is generally lowered by 15 mm in the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs “Sport” and “Sport+”. In the “Comfort” drive program, the vehicle is lowered by 15 mm from a speed of 75 mph. This reduces aerodynamic drag and, in turn, fuel consumption. In addition, handling stability improves thanks to a lower center of gravity. In order to increase the ground clearance on poor road surfaces or on ramps, the vehicle body level can be raised by up to 55 mm at the touch of a button with the engine running – both with the car stationary and in motion.

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Mercedes-AMG GLE 53

Everything under control: Sports steering and high-performance braking system

The electromechanical speed-sensitive power steering has a variable ratio. It wins over customers with AMG-specific rack and pinion ratio and precise feedback. In addition, steering power assistance is adjusted in two stages: “Comfort” or “Sport”. The configuration is automatically activated based on the selected AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive program. They can optionally be personalized at any time in the “Individual” drive program.

The large size high-performance braking system slows down the performance SUV even with heavy loads and short braking distances. 400 x 36 mm internally ventilated and perforated integral brake disks are used on the front axle as well as 2-piston fixed calipers, painted silver with black AMG lettering. On the rear, the internally ventilated brake disks measure 345 x 25 mm and have a 1-piston floating caliper.

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Mercedes-AMG GLE 53

Select your program: AMG DYNAMIC SELECT

The GLE 53 has seven drive programs: Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Slippery, Individual, and Offroad (Trail and Sand). AMG DYNAMIC SELECT adapts important parameters such as the responsiveness of the engine and transmission, the characteristic curve of the accelerator and steering, the suspension damping and even the vehicle’s sound. Selected using the paddle in the center console or the AMG steering wheel buttons, the programs are then visualized in the instrument cluster and on the multimedia display.

  • “Slippery”: optimized for slippery road conditions, with reduced power and a flat torque curve for a driving configuration oriented toward stability.
  • “Comfort”: comfortable and fuel-efficient driving, e.g. thanks to early upshifts. Suspension and steering are set up for an emphasis on comfort.
  • “Sport”: sporty characteristics thanks to a more agile response to the driver’s accelerator pedal input, shorter shift times, earlier downshifts and significantly more dynamic gearshifts. A more dynamic suspension and steering set-up.
  • “Sport+”: extremely sporty characteristics thanks to an even more agile throttle response, increased acoustic emphasis during downshifts as well as selective torque control on upshifts with cylinder suppression for optimal shift times. Increased idle speed for faster pulling away. An even more aggressive set-up for suspension, steering and drivetrain.
  • “Individual”: individual adjustment of the drive system, transmission, AMG DYNAMICS, suspension and exhaust system.
  • “Trail”: safe driving at maximum performance on soft, muddy or slippery ground.
  • “Sand”: sporty set-up for the best possible grip and control on sandy slopes and desert dunes.

AMG DYNAMICS is integrated into the AMG DYNAMIC SELECT drive programs. In the “Basic”, “Advanced” and “Pro” levels, it influences the control strategies of the ESP ® (Electronic Stability Program) or the all-wheel drive. The intelligent pilot control anticipates the desired vehicle behavior based on the driver’s actions and the sensor data. The spectrum ranges from extremely stable to highly dynamic. Additionally there are the “Traction” and “Slide” levels in the off-road “Trail” and “Sand” drive programs when the ESP® is deactivated.

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Mercedes-AMG GLE 53

Quite the eye-catcher: exterior with AMG-specific radiator grille

The appearance of the GLE 53 captivates thanks to its exclusivity, powerful sportiness and progressive dominance. Thanks to the AMG-specific radiator grille with 15 vertical chromed strips, it is immediately obvious that it is part of the AMG family. Equally striking is the star in the double ring, the narrow headlamps and the striking A-Wing in the front bumper. Apart from the slats in the outer air inlets and the trim element on the A-Wing, the front splitter is also silver chrome-plated. The wheel arches in the same color as the car provide space for the large wheels – mounted with 20-inch light alloy wheels with AMG lettering as standard.

The horizontal chrome diffuser strip in the pronounced rear bumper and the special exhaust system with two round chrome tailpipes underline the powerful appearance from the rear and emphasize the width. The optional AMG Night Package further enhances the vehicle’s performance appearance. It includes A-wing trim, trim on the rear apron, tailpipes, front splitter, roof rails and window trim in refined black.

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Mercedes-AMG GLE 53

The color of love: interior design with red accents

The GLE 53 can be easily recognized by its characteristic red color accents. This starts with the seats, fitted standard with ARTICO / microfiber DINAMICA in black with red contrasting topstitching. They not only offer optimal lateral support, but also have an AMG-specific design and “AMG” badging in the front seat backrest. The top part of the instrument panel is covered in ARTICO. The black roof liner, standard red seatbelts, and the trim elements in aluminum brushed with light longitudinal grain underscore the sporty appearance.

Further elements to individualize the interior include unique leather seat covers and a wide range of high-quality trim elements, among other items. The carbon AMG trim elements add a particularly sporty feel to the interior.

A utility highlight is the optional, foldable third row seat, which make the GLE 53 a seven-seater. Thanks to the Easy Entry function of the fully electrically adjustable second seat row, the two rearmost passengers can conveniently reach their seats.

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Mercedes-AMG GLE 53

Stylishly chic: AMG-specific displays in the MBUX system

The innovative operating and display concept MBUX is included as standard in the GLE 53 and contains numerous AMG-specific content. With the widescreen cockpit, the instrument cluster and touchscreen multimedia display optically combine into one unit. Numerous functions can be activated via the intelligent voice-operated control “Hey Mercedes”. The optional MBUX Interior Assist also allows intuitive, natural operation of different comfort and MBUX functions by movement recognition and gestures.

The instrument cluster has its own specific details such as the AMG start-up menu and the four selectable styles: “Classic”, “Sport”, AMG exclusive “Supersport” and “Discreet”. When the AMG specific offroad modes “Trail” and “Sand” are activated, settings such as slope, incline and level can be selected and displayed on the instrument cluster. Rocker switches are embedded in the center console for displaying and controlling the drive programs, transmission, suspension, ESP® and exhaust system.

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Hands sitting pretty on the steering wheel: AMG Performance steering wheel

The AMG Performance steering wheel in black Nappa leather combines maximum functionality, high-quality haptics and ideal ergonomics. Apart from the aluminum shift paddles, it also impresses thanks to the touch control buttons, which are intuitive to operate. The infotainment system can also be controlled with swiping finger movements.

Innovative steering wheel buttons optionally enhance the steering wheel with a round controller with an integrated display beneath the right-hand steering wheel spoke, plus two vertically positioned color display buttons with switches beneath the left-hand steering-wheel spoke.

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Mercedes-AMG GLE 53

Drive better: improve your skills with AMG TRACK PACE

With the optional AMG TRACK PACE, MBUX is enhanced with a virtual engineer, which enables up to 80 vehicle-specific data metrics as well as times on closed routes to be recorded and analyzed in detail. Many of these values can be displayed if desired on the widescreen cockpit or in the optional head- up display in real-time. After putting in some fast laps, the driver can use the data to analyze and, if necessary, improve their driving skills. In addition, acceleration and deceleration values (e.g. 0-60 mph, ¼ mile, 60-0 mph) can be measured and saved.

The driver can also record circuits and save them for later vehicle data recording and analysis. Thanks to a newly developed algorithm which determines the vehicle position as precisely as possible, AMG TRACK PACE even detects when the circuit has been left or has been shortened. This is done using GPS data as well as the sensors available in the vehicle (acceleration, gyroscope, steering angle, wheel speed).

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Mercedes-AMG GLE 53

Sporty fragrance: fuel for the senses

There is an exclusive fragrance for the interior, named “AMG#63” as part of the AIR-BALANCE package. It is an inspiring, sporty scent to match the spirit of the performance sports car brand.

The new Mercedes-AMG GLE 53 will celebrate its World Premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show and will go on sale in the U.S. in late 2020.

TEST DRIVES

2026 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo Review: Miami

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Carsfera takes Maserati’s performance-focused GranTurismo through Miami and Wynwood to discover what happens when 542 horsepower, Italian craftsmanship and one of America’s most expressive cities meet.

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There are certain cars that make more sense once you spend several days with them. The specifications may tell you how much power they produce, how quickly they accelerate and how much they cost, but they don’t necessarily explain what it feels like to have one sitting outside your hotel in the morning, drive it through traffic in the afternoon and then take the longer route home simply because you’re enjoying the car.

The 2026 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo became that kind of car for me in Miami.

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I had already spent time with the GranTurismo in Virginia, where the highways and secondary roads gave me an opportunity to appreciate what Maserati has done with this generation. What stood out wasn’t one dramatic performance number. It was how naturally the car combined speed, comfort and sophistication. It felt like a proper grand tourer, something you could genuinely imagine driving for hours rather than something designed around a ten-minute burst of excitement.

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Miami introduced me to the other side of that personality.

Our Trofeo arrived finished in Bianco Astro, with a red full-grain perforated leather interior, carbon-fiber details, Carbon Macrotwill trim, staggered 20- and 21-inch Pegaso-design wheels and an upgraded Sonus Faber audio system.

Its base price was $166,000. With options, the car sitting in front of me carried an MSRP of $185,830.

At that price, it needed to feel special.

After several days driving it around South Florida, I began to understand where that feeling comes from.

Seeing the GranTurismo Trofeo in Miami

Miami is an interesting place to experience an automobile like this because the city has its own visual personality. There is color everywhere, especially when you move through Wynwood. Buildings become canvases, traffic is unpredictable, people are constantly moving, and exotic and luxury cars aren’t particularly unusual.

Yet the Maserati still attracted attention.

The Bianco Astro paint initially seemed like a relatively conservative specification for a car with this much personality, but seeing it under the Florida sun changed my opinion. The white finish allowed the GranTurismo’s proportions to become the focus.

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The hood stretches far ahead of the cabin. The roofline falls gently toward the rear. The body has enough muscle around the wheels to communicate performance without relying on oversized wings or excessive aerodynamic decoration.

Against the murals of Wynwood, the simplicity of the white exterior worked particularly well. Later, driving toward Miami Beach, the same car took on a completely different character. Palm trees, modern architecture, hotels, bright sunlight and the blue Florida sky somehow made the GranTurismo look exactly where it belonged.

That is something Maserati has historically understood very well.

A Maserati doesn’t necessarily need to be the loudest car parked outside a restaurant to make you notice it.

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The GranTurismo Trofeo has presence without trying too hard to manufacture it.

Our car’s $2,880 carbon-fiber rear spoiler added a little more aggression, while the Trofeo’s unique fascias, carbon-fiber exterior elements, gloss-black details, black-chrome badging and quad exhaust outlets subtly separated it from the regular GranTurismo.

I appreciated that restraint.

It would have been easy for Maserati to cover the Trofeo with aerodynamic pieces and turn it into something that looked more like a track-focused special edition. Instead, you still immediately recognize the elegance of the GranTurismo underneath.

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The Trofeo simply looks as though it has been spending more time at the gym.

The Red Interior Changes the Experience

Opening the driver’s door was probably my favorite visual moment with this particular specification.

The exterior is almost understated in white. Then you open the door and discover an interior covered in red full-grain perforated leather and carbon fiber.

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Suddenly, the personality of the car makes sense.

The GranTurismo I drove in Virginia had a much more traditional luxury atmosphere, with warmer colors and open-pore wood. It felt elegant and sophisticated, exactly as you would expect from an Italian grand tourer.

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The Trofeo felt younger. More energetic.

Not necessarily less luxurious, just more focused on the person sitting behind the steering wheel.

The Carbon Macrotwill trim, a $2,650 option on our test car, fits that personality beautifully. The aluminum column-mounted paddle shifters are another detail I enjoyed because they feel substantial in your hands. They’re not decorative pieces attached to the steering wheel. They look and feel like something you’re actually going to want to use.

And you will.

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The seats deserve attention as well. A grand tourer can’t simply look beautiful; it has to remain comfortable after the novelty of the first hour disappears. The Trofeo provides 18-way power-adjustable front seats with driver memory, heating and enough adjustment to find a genuinely comfortable driving position.

Technology is integrated throughout the cabin without completely taking over the experience. There’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, accompanied by Maserati’s 12-inch and 8.8-inch central displays. Navigation, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, wireless charging and connected features are all present.

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Our car also had the high-premium Sonus Faber audio system, a $4,890 option.

It’s an impressive system.

But there were plenty of moments when I preferred listening to something else.

The car itself.

The Nettuno Is What Makes the Trofeo Special

This is where my opinion of the Trofeo really began to form.

Under the hood is Maserati’s 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged Nettuno V6, paired with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and Maserati’s Q4 all-wheel-drive system.

The chassis includes adaptive air suspension, Skyhook electronic active damping and an electronic limited-slip differential. There is launch control and four selectable driving modes: Comfort, GT, Sport and Corsa.

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You can read all of that on a specification sheet. What the specification sheet can’t adequately explain is how broad the personality of this powertrain feels from the driver’s seat.

The Nettuno is the finest Maserati engine I have personally experienced. And I don’t say that simply because the Trofeo is fast. Of course it’s fast.

What impressed me more was how easily the engine changes character depending on what you’re asking from the car.

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Miami traffic isn’t particularly interested in how much performance your Maserati has. There were plenty of moments when I was simply moving from one traffic light to another, surrounded by SUVs, delivery vehicles and people trying to change lanes at the last possible second.

In those situations, the Trofeo behaves remarkably normally.

The transmission isn’t constantly trying to prove something. The suspension doesn’t punish you over imperfect pavement, and the engine can remain relatively relaxed. You can drive the car through Miami Beach at an ordinary pace and enjoy the steering, seating position, interior and atmosphere without feeling as though the car is begging you to drive twice the speed limit.

That’s important.

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Because eventually the traffic opens. And that’s when you reach for Sport.

The change isn’t theatrical for the sake of being theatrical. The throttle simply becomes more responsive, the transmission starts holding gears with greater purpose and the exhaust becomes more present behind you.

Push further into Corsa, and you discover the side of the Trofeo that was hiding while you were sitting in traffic ten minutes earlier.

The car tightens around you. Now the aluminum paddles that looked so beautiful when you opened the door become part of the experience. The engine feels more urgent. The transmission becomes more aggressive. You begin looking farther down the road and paying more attention to what your right foot is doing.

This is why I enjoyed the Nettuno so much. It’s not an engine that gives you one experience all the time. It lets the GranTurismo be a GranTurismo first. Then, when you ask for more, it gives you considerably more.

Miami Is Actually a Good Place to Understand This Car

Nobody thinks of Miami as the place to test the ultimate limits of a performance car.

There are no mountain passes waiting outside South Beach, and you’re probably going to spend considerably more time on I-95 than attacking a series of perfect corners.

But that’s precisely why driving the Trofeo here was useful. This is how many owners are actually going to use the car.

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You’re going to drive to dinner. You’re going to sit in traffic. You’re going to take it to a hotel. You’re going to cover long stretches of highway. You’re going to deal with heat, rough pavement and those Florida rainstorms that seem capable of appearing five minutes after you were looking at a perfectly blue sky.

The Trofeo has to work in all of those situations before its performance becomes relevant.

And it does.

What Does $185,830 Actually Buy?

Our GranTurismo Trofeo started at $166,000, but several significant options pushed the final price considerably higher.

The carbon-fiber rear spoiler added $2,880. Carbon Macrotwill trim cost another $2,650. The high-premium Sonus Faber system added $4,890, red brake calipers were $1,320, the ADAS Base Package added $5,180, the Comfort Package another $1,240, and the Sport Design Package contributed $1,670.

Final MSRP:

$185,830.

That’s real money, even in this segment.

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And I think anyone considering this car should look beyond the question of whether $185,830 buys enough performance. It does.

But so do plenty of other cars. At this level, horsepower alone isn’t particularly difficult to find. Neither is acceleration. What becomes harder to find is personality.

And perhaps most importantly, it gives you something you can’t really measure:

A reason to want to drive it.

GranTurismo or GranTurismo Trofeo?

Driving these two cars in two different parts of the country made the answer much clearer to me.

The GranTurismo I drove in Virginia is probably the easier car to understand.

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It’s elegant, fast, comfortable and beautifully suited to covering distance. It reminded me what a proper GT should be. You don’t finish a long drive feeling as though the car has been fighting you for the last three hours.

The Trofeo takes that same philosophy and adds another layer.

It’s still comfortable. It’s still elegant. It still feels like a Maserati GranTurismo.

But there’s more anticipation every time you get behind the wheel because you know another version of the car is sitting there waiting for you.

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The standard GranTurismo makes the journey enjoyable.

The Trofeo makes you wonder whether there’s a more interesting road to get there.

That, more than anything else, describes the difference I felt between them.

Who Is This Car Really For?

I don’t think the GranTurismo Trofeo is simply for someone who wants the most expensive or most powerful version of the GranTurismo.

The buyer who will appreciate this car most is probably someone who could own a dedicated sports car but doesn’t necessarily want to live with one every day.

Maybe you want to leave Washington or Miami in the morning and drive several hundred miles without arriving exhausted.

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Maybe you want to take someone to dinner without making them climb into a car that feels designed primarily for a racetrack.

Maybe you care about Italian design and the small details that make an automobile feel different every time you approach it.

But when the road opens, you still want something serious underneath your right foot.

That’s the person I think Maserati built the Trofeo for.

It doesn’t force you to decide whether you want the elegant car or the exciting one before leaving the house.

You get both.

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TEST DRIVES

2026 Maserati GranTurismo Coupe

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With timeless Italian proportions, a twin-turbo V6 and a beautifully appointed cabin, the 2026 Maserati GranTurismo reminds us that a memorable automobile is not defined by performance figures alone, it is defined by how it makes us feel.

Some automobiles are created to satisfy a practical need. Others exist to awaken something inside the person holding the steering wheel. The 2026 Maserati GranTurismo Coupe belongs firmly in the second category.

Carsfera experienced this particular GranTurismo on the highways and secondary roads of Virginia, where its character could be understood beyond a specification sheet. It demonstrated that a modern grand tourer does not have to choose between performance, comfort and emotional connection. It can bring all three together in one beautifully sculpted machine.

That balance is the essence of the GranTurismo. It is not trying to be the loudest or most aggressive car in every situation. Instead, it turns an ordinary journey into an occasion.

Italian design with a human purpose

The GranTurismo carries the proportions of an Italian grand tourer: a long hood, a low roofline and a muscular stance that communicates performance without sacrificing elegance.

Our test vehicle was finished in Blu Modena, a $4,200 exterior color that transformed continually as the surrounding light changed. Under direct sunlight, the blue appeared energetic and expressive. In softer conditions, it became deeper and more sophisticated.

It attracted attention, but not through unnecessary extravagance. People noticed it because its shape felt special.

The staggered 20- and 21-inch Crio-design wheels, black anodized brake calipers, gloss-black accents and quad chrome exhaust outlets provided a purposeful edge. Yet the overall presentation remained refined enough for a business meeting, an evening in the city or an extended weekend away.

That versatility matters because the GranTurismo is not intended to be admired only while parked. It was designed to become part of its owner’s life.

A cabin created for connection

Opening the door reveals an interior that feels warm, personal and distinctly Italian.

The tan leather upholstery, a $1,980 option, created an inviting contrast with the Blu Modena exterior. Campidoglio-design stitching and open-pore Radica wood trim gave the cabin a handcrafted atmosphere without making it feel trapped in the past.

There is technology throughout the interior, but it generally supports the experience instead of dominating it. A 12.3-inch digital instrument display is accompanied by the Maserati Intelligent Assistant interface, divided between 12-inch and 8.8-inch screens. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, navigation, wireless charging, Alexa integration and connected services are also included.

The 12-speaker Sonus Faber audio system deserves particular recognition. Its clarity complements the GranTurismo’s mission: this is a car in which music, conversation and the sound of the engine all become part of the journey.

The 18-way power front seats, driver memory, heating, dual-zone climate control and power-adjustable steering column help drivers create a comfortable and personal environment. The tested vehicle’s $1,690 Comfort Package reinforced that sense of everyday usability.

Performance that adapts to the person driving

Beneath the hood is Maserati’s 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, paired with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and Q4 all-wheel drive.

The powertrain is responsive and full of character, but what makes it memorable is its flexibility. The GranTurismo does not demand that its driver remain in attack mode. It can settle into a relaxed rhythm on the highway and become noticeably more alert when the, road.or the driver’s mood, changes.

Comfort, GT and Sport modes allow the car’s personality to evolve. Adaptive air suspension and Maserati’s Skyhook electronic damping system help maintain composure without removing the connection between the driver and the road.

Column-mounted aluminum paddle shifters provide immediate control, while launch control and the sport exhaust offer access to the car’s more theatrical side. The exhaust does not simply generate sound; it creates anticipation. Pressing the accelerator becomes an emotional event.

In Virginia, the Q4 all-wheel-drive system also provided a reassuring sense of stability. This is meaningful for buyers who want an exotic-looking Italian coupe that can be enjoyed with greater confidence across changing roads and weather conditions.

Technology that protects the experience

The tested GranTurismo included the $5,180 ADAS Base Package, contributing to an as-tested price of $158,050, compared with a base MSRP of $145,000.

Its safety equipment includes automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition, front and rear parking sensors, rear active braking and a backup camera. These systems are especially valuable in a car with a low seating position and substantial bodywork.

Technology cannot eliminate every compromise associated with owning a performance coupe, but it can make the experience more manageable and reassuring.

Who is the GranTurismo really for?

The 2026 Maserati GranTurismo is for someone who wants more than transportation and something more personal than conventional luxury.

It is for the driver who appreciates craftsmanship but still wants modern connectivity. It is for someone who wants performance without turning every trip into a competition. Most importantly, it is for the person who believes driving should remain an emotional experience.

At $158,050 as tested, this is unquestionably a significant purchase. Buyers are not simply paying for leather, technology or horsepower. They are purchasing design, heritage, occasion and the way the GranTurismo can transform their relationship with the road.

There may be faster cars and more practical ones. But few bring together beauty, comfort, performance and personality in quite the same way.

The 2026 Maserati GranTurismo Coupe does not merely transport its occupants. It reminds them why the journey can still matter.

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TEST DRIVES

2026 Toyota GR Supra MkV Final Edition

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Few modern sports cars generate as much debate as the Toyota GR Supra. Some enthusiasts still point to its collaboration with BMW, while others see that partnership for what it ultimately produced: one of the most compelling rear-wheel-drive sports cars available today.

2026 Toyota GR Supra MkV Final Edition Review: One Week With the Last Supra

After spending a week with the 2026 Toyota GR Supra MkV Final Edition, our conclusion is straightforward: the BMW connection does not diminish this Supra. In many ways, it helps make the car better.

2026 Toyota GR Supra MkV Final Edition Review: One Week With the Last Supra

Our test vehicle was particularly special. Finished in Burnout Matte Silver with a black Alcantara-and-leather interior, its window sticker showed a $73,300 total suggested retail price, including the Driver Assist Package, GT4-inspired equipment, carbon-fiber mirror caps, matte graphics, and other accessories.

What Do You Get for $73,300?

Under that long hood is the heart of the modern Supra: a 3.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged inline-six producing 382 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque. Our car paired it with the six-speed intelligent manual transmission, sending everything to the rear wheels. Toyota also gives the Final Edition additional chassis, suspension and braking development intended to make this the most focused version of the MkV.

2026 Toyota GR Supra MkV Final Edition Review: One Week With the Last Supra

The numbers only explain part of the experience.

During our week with the Supra, what impressed us most was how usable it remained. This is a genuine performance car that doesn’t punish you for driving it normally. The inline-six delivers effortless torque, the manual gearbox adds the involvement enthusiasts increasingly struggle to find, and the compact two-seat cabin makes the Supra feel like something you wear rather than simply drive.

2026 Toyota GR Supra MkV Final Edition Review: One Week With the Last Supra

Push harder and its personality changes. The short wheelbase, low seating position, rear-wheel-drive layout and near-ideal weight distribution make the Supra eager to rotate through corners. Toyota originally engineered the MkV around classic sports-car fundamentals, including a very low center of gravity and 50:50 front-to-rear weight balance. 

Yet you can still commute in it, enjoy the JBL audio system, heated power seats and modern driver-assistance technology, and even return surprisingly reasonable fuel economy. The sticker rates our manual Final Edition at 19 mpg city, 26 highway and 21 combined.

2026 Toyota GR Supra MkV Final Edition Review: One Week With the Last Supra

Yes, There Is BMW Underneath. That’s Not a Bad Thing.

Let’s address the elephant in the garage.

The fifth-generation Supra was developed in collaboration with BMW and is related to the BMW Z4. Toyota itself acknowledges that the Supra was developed in collaboration with BMW and based on the Z4 platform. 

2026 Toyota GR Supra MkV Final Edition Review: One Week With the Last Supra

It also uses BMW’s excellent B58 inline-six architecture, and both cars are assembled by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria.

But calling the Supra simply a “BMW with a Toyota badge” misses the point.

Toyota developed the Supra as a fixed-roof sports coupe with its own body, chassis calibration, steering character and driving mission. Toyota Gazoo Racing engineers have continually refined the MkV through motorsports and track development; the Supra has competed in Formula Drift, Super Taikyu and the Nürburgring 24 Hours.

2026 Toyota GR Supra MkV Final Edition Review: One Week With the Last Supra

Think of the BMW partnership less as compromising the Supra and more as giving Toyota access to one of the best modern turbocharged inline-six powertrains available.

Why This Supra May Hold Its Value

This is where the 2026 model becomes especially interesting.

Toyota is closing the chapter on the MkV with the Final Edition, and Toyota says only 1,300 Final Editions are planned for North America. That combination, Final Edition status, limited availability, 382-hp inline-six, rear-wheel drive and an available six-speed manual is exactly the formula enthusiasts tend to remember.

2026 Toyota GR Supra MkV Final Edition Review: One Week With the Last Supra

There is already evidence that the Supra holds value unusually well. Current iSeeCars analysis estimates the GR Supra retains approximately 76.1% of its value after five years, ranking it among the strongest luxury two-seat sports cars for resale value.

2026 Toyota GR Supra MkV Final Edition Review: One Week With the Last Supra

That doesn’t guarantee appreciation, and we wouldn’t buy one purely as an investment. But a low-mileage, original, well-maintained manual Final Edition has several characteristics that could make it particularly desirable years from now.

The Carsfera Verdict

The 2026 GR Supra Final Edition isn’t perfect. Visibility is limited, cabin storage is minimal, entry and exit require some flexibility, and buyers looking for four seats should look elsewhere.

But none of those things change what matters.

The Supra feels special.

2026 Toyota GR Supra MkV Final Edition Review: One Week With the Last Supra

For $73,300 as tested, you’re buying one of the final examples of an increasingly rare formula: a compact, turbocharged inline-six, rear-wheel-drive sports coupe available with three pedals.

BMW supplied some of the ingredients. Toyota turned them into a Supra.

And after living with it for a week, we’d argue that instead of worrying about who baked the cake, enthusiasts should enjoy a slice while they still can.

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