The Maserati 3200 GT established itself in the list of Cars I Would Like To Own the first time I came within touching distance of 7000rpm. The 3.2-litre V8 sounds pretty good even at tickover, but the faster it spins the more enthralling the song, until an eerie combination of roar and scream fills the cockpit just before the next gearchange - or, if you are being uncouth, just before the revlimiter chimes in.These things matter. The engine note of a Ford Focus, for example, is of little consequence because it has practically no effect on potential customers. But anyone who thinks of buying a Maserati must surely want ownership to be An Experience. In the case of any Italian high-performance car, part of that experience is the noise the engine makes.And the noise this particular engine makes is tremendous, and very much of its country. One blast through the rev range and you know this unit did not come from the UK, or from Germany, or Japan or America.If you didn't understand the significance of the trident on the radiator grill, you might feel the lack of such easy clues in the external appearance. From some viewpoints it looks like something designed by Ferrari. From others there are hints of Jaguar and Aston Martin. From specifically one other (crouch ahead of the car, about six feet to either side) and it looks a little like a shark.From almost every viewpoint, though, it looks nearly as good as it sounds. Having said that, I'm not hugely convinced by what's happened at the tail. You'd expect the GT's curves to continue right to the back, but in fact they seem to have been chopped off about three inches short. The rear light clusters are more like light strips, and to my mind just a little out of place.Still, you don't see the back when you're driving. Maserati has done quite a job with the interior, which is beautifully trimmed in leather, reasonably roomy up front (only 6 out of 10 for headroom, though) and could very comfortably accommodate a couple of sprogs in the back as long as they (a) were quite small sprogs, (b) didn't mind not being able to see much and (c) promised not to spill or emit anything.The driving position is slightly odd, in the sort of way that is mentioned in virtually every road test of any Italian car, but no more so than in an average Fiat or Alfa Romeo. I wasn't so happy with the pedals, which are a bit too close together and set at odd heights. Heel-and-toeing isn't as convenient as it should be, and when using the footrest I had to be careful not to apply pressure on the clutch. Mind you, this would have been less of a problem if I hadn't driven the car - dear, dear, what will you think of me? - while wearing trainers. Honestly, you can't take some people anywhere.I seem to have missed something . . . of course, the performance. Well, with 370bhp the Maserati is certainly quick, if a little idiosyncratic. With two turbos under the bonnet there is a little lag if you suddenly open the throttle, though it's not a problem once you've learned to expect it. More disconcertingly, the engine sometimes takes a fraction of a second to realise that you have lifted off after accelerating hard, which means that you continue surging forward very briefly just at the point when you've decided you want to slow down.Advisedly, Maserati has fitted traction control, and as you drive harder you develop a close relationship with the system. I even felt it come in halfway down an (admittedly bumpy) straight, so it's fair to say that there is more power than the chassis can properly cope with. Excellent Michelin Pilot tyres mean the grip level is high, though, and the car does reward smooth and accurate driving. I don't think this is such bad thing, myself.It's perhaps best to remember that this is not an out-and-out sports car but a Grand Tourer in the classic style. Apart from a slight jiggliness over small bumps the ride quality is very good - as a front-seat passenger I found the car was comfortable even when the chap at the wheel was pushing on vigorously.Better still, the GT is very good indeed even when you're burbling along at 30mph in top. That makes it a practical everyday car which would also make a fine job of a long-distance cruise, and it means that owners can still enjoy the Maserati long after the initial excitement of something hairier and less practical had worn off.If you're hustling along, the six-speed manual is the one to go for. The gearchange is a little notchy, but then I've yet to come across any box which combined a silky shift with the ability to cope with over 360lb/ft of torque. There's also an excellent four-speed automatic which may be the better choice in the long run, though it blunts the performance considerably (hey, we're talking relatively here) and for some reason - possibly the extra weight - has a detrimental effect on the ride too.Occasional clonks and creaks suggested that build quality could be better, but on the whole this is an extremely appealing piece of equipment. The noise, and the evocative name which means so much to anyone with the first inkling of motor racing history, are the best bits, but the rest of the car keeps up without creating any feeling of disappointment. Welcome back, Maserati.Second opinion: My page of notes starts with: elegantly presented interior - far better than in the last Maserati I drove. Isn't it great they've kept that gorgeous Maserati clock? On one really bumpy B-class road we often take test cars over, the 3200 GT was far more composed than most high performers. I was also really impressed by how it would pooter along at 1000rpm in sixth, without any fluffing . . . Wait a minute, that's page two. How does page one go? Ah, it says the Maserati is the most glorious-sounding car I've driven this century. The acceleration is prodigious, and there's no kidding about the colossal torque. But the automatic transmission option? Get lost. Considering how it was being driven, I'm not surprised the report above mentions "occasional clonks and creaks". I wasn't bothered, myself. Similarly, sitting with the driving seat well reclined (Dr Farina, and all that) I found the headroom fine. Agreed, that's a slightly weird lift-off effect, but a regular user (if only . . .) would soon allow for it. All in all, this is a handsome, powerful and practical supercar, and when you look at the opposition it seems to be at a very fair price. Keep my place in the queue. Ross Finlay. Engine 3217cc, 8 cylinders Power 370bhp Transmission 6-speed manual Acceleration 0-62mph: 5.1 seconds Top speed 174mph Price £59,925 Details correct at publication date
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