The Maserati GranTurismo S may be a long name, but it just got longer.

The Maserati GranTurismo S MC Sport Line is a largely cosmetically enhanced version of the sensuously styled coupe, with the same 4.7-litre V8 engine and six-speed DuoSelect clutchless manual gearbox.

But it also has a stiffer suspension and enhanced brakes to make it good enough to let it lap the Nurburgring and Fiorano race tracks faster than the plain vanilla GranTurismo S.

From the outside, the Maserati GranTurismo S MC Sport Line is instantly recognisable because of its wide array of carbon fibre add-ons.

This may sound somewhat vulgar but the effect is surprisingly tasteful.

The MC Sport Line is an extension of the Italian carmaker's range of personalisation options and since MC stands for the Maserati Corse racing team, the Sport Line makes extensive use of this lightweight, race-oriented material for its interior and exterior trim.

For an extra $15,000, the additions include a carbon fibre lip which juts out from beneath the front spoiler, and there are carbon fibre door mirrors and an integrated rear carbon fibre spoiler.

The last item has relevant aerodynamic value too.

Maserati says the rear spoiler increases downforce by 30 per cent and allows faster cornering speed and improved traction when exiting a corner.

Together with the 10mm lowered suspension, there is also 20 per cent less body roll.

Add the MC Sport Line's slotted and drilled brake discs (the conventional GranTurismo S only has cross- drilled discs) and the driver can brake later, thus the ability to clock better lap times around the famed German and Italian circuits mentioned previously.

It helps that the MC Sport Line also comes with a stiffer suspension set-up - 16 per cent harder in front and a 32 per cent increase at the rear.

This increases its handling abilities but unusually, the MC Sport Line's ride comfort has not suffered noticeably.

Drive over a speed bump and the dampers provide pretty good cushioning for such a heavy sports car.

As with the conventional GranTurismo S, there is a small Sport button on the centre console that when depressed does three things - lights up the multi-function display with the words 'MC S' in a cool red font and 'Sport' below in green; remaps the engine and transmission programmes; and opens up two pneumatic valves for a more glorious exhaust.

And the sound coming out from the oval tailpipes is intoxicating.

Sport makes the exhaust louder while adding a rasp to the top note.

When accelerating, the GranTurismo almost sounds like a jet fighter from inside the car.

But it isn't annoyingly grating or unnecessarily noisy and best of all, when you're coming home late at night, you can turn it off at the touch of a button so you don't wake up the neighbours.

When it comes to the engine, Sport delivers the maximum of 440hp while making the clutchless manual transmission change gears more quickly.

When downshifting manually with Sport engaged, the automatic blip of the throttle is also accompanied by an extra exhaust burble.

So to say the MC Sport Line is merely an overdressed GranTurismo is not quite fair.

Of course from inside the cabin, there is an excess of cabin fibre on the door panels and dashboard.

Even the long, slim shift paddles are carbon fibre.

But with its suspension and aerodynamic tweaks, the MC Sport Line has become more dynamic and yet more useable because of its more composed ride.

Few cars can claim to be dynamic yet so driveable.

Maserati GranTurismo S MC Sport Line

Engine: 4,691cc V8
Transmission: 6-speed DuoSelect
Max power: 440 hp @ 7,000 rpm
Max torque: 490 Nm @ 4,750 rpm
0-100 kmh: 4.9 secs
Top speed: 295 kmh
Price: $510,000 (with COE)
Distributor: Hong Seh Motors
Tel: 6836-1112

This article was first published in The Business Times.