Newly-fitted autobox puts the “GT” in this GT.

BY STEVE SILER

In English,gran turismo literally means “grand tourer” or “grand touring,” and typically evokes images of lazily conquering hundreds of miles of scenic byways at speeds that normal cars just can’t achieve. In terms of body styles,gran turismo also refers to fixed-roof coupes with a front- or front-mid-mounted engine and rear-wheel drive. The aptly-named Maserati GranTurismo is a prototypical example of both of these concepts. (Incidentally, the old five-door Hyundai Elantra GT is not emblematic of either concept.)