Maserati have realised that sometimes what people want to drive is a stunning behemoth with a mighty engine that does most of the hard work for you. The result of these ponderings has to have been the Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic, a deliciously easy to drive Automatic transmission that still has a sport attitude and healthy enthusiasm.

If you sneer at Automatics generally, you may have to rethink your opinion after taking a beast like this out for a test drive. To continue the animal analogies, the 4.7 litre engine literally snarls beneath the bonnet, meaning that you can get to feel that power whilst the 6-speed automatic gearbox takes care of all the boring bits of driving for you. This isn't a dull car designed for a granny to drive, like many automatics - this truly is a "proper" sports car that makes driving that little bit easier.

As with the whole GranTurismo range, the looks in this slinky car are rather sublime. Maserati really know how to make a car eye catching yet sophisticated, powerful yet elegant. It is that balance of sleek curving lines with huge beefy grill that make this car such an expert style, and which mean that Maseratis are always popular as one of the best sport cars manufacturers in the luxury car market.

So it looks great, and it drive great - but what really sets the GranTurismo S apart from all the similar competitors cars clogging up the market? Well, the drives sportiness is a really motoring turn-on, doing 0-60 in 5 seconds without even breaking a sweat. It is that calmness under pressure that really separates it from the crowd, meaning that however bumpy the road is you will still be sweeping down it in the ultimate comfort.

Even more impressively, this automatic isn't just designed to look like a four seater - it actually is one. All too many sports cars pay homage to four seaters, but with seats that no one can actually fit into, at least not without serious and inelegant effort. This sporty coupe, however, is designed from the start to comfortably fit four adults in - and four average sized adults at that. This adds that certain executive edge that other cars can only dream of.

If the idea of driving around in a beautiful sports car with the comforting fuss free bonus of automatic transmission is tempting you, then it may make sense to head to your local Maserati dealership. They will be able to advise you on what car and spec is perfect for your needs - and whether a used Maserati or a brand spanking new one would suit you better. Of course, it is worth bearing in mind that a used Maserati will save you at the very least that hefty dose of VAT, and can be a sound investment. If you don't want second-hand goods, however, opt for a new Maserati GranTurismo, and focus your decision power on whether the automatic or the manual will be right for you.