Maserati GranTurismo: In Depth

Press Release

Design way beyond the competition

The stylistic features of the Maserati GranTurismo can be traced back immediately to the legacy of the Trident (Maserati A6GCS) and to a boundless future illustrated by the Birdcage 75th concept car through a clear aesthetic language consisting of words such as: dynamism, modernity, sensuality and passion. Inspired by the forms of the Birdcage 75th, the exterior appears muscular with a natural and decisive fluidity of volumes which start from the impressive grille and mark out the whole side up to the rear lights; the fenders hang over the large wheels to create a powerful and elegant form drawn tightly over the mechanics. The dynamism of the side view is accentuated by the reduced overhangs as well as the long bonnet furrowed with the classic “V� streak; three air intakes in pure Maserati style and the chrome profile lighten the front fender. The side is distinguished by chrome features that convey light: the Maserati logo on the rear pillar, the profile of the grilles on the front fender, the door handles, and the frame marking out the glass surface. The imposing and dynamic front shows in plan view the traditional Maserati V form which culminates in the large oval grille alongside the headlamps which develop horizontally blending perfectly into the form of the fenders. The grille marked by vertical concave fillets is adorned with a large chrome Trident which appears to be suspended in the middle with all-round visibility. The rear of the car gives further emphasis to sportiness and technological research: the triangular lights use 96 LED lights which ensure immediate night-time recognition; a wind tunnel designed ample aerodynamic cone framed at the sides by chrome exhaust tailpipes sits over the bottom part of the bumper.

Driving Emotion – Engine

The heart of the Maserati GranTurismo is the 4,244 cc 90° V8 which belongs to the new generation of Maserati power units, having been designed for the first application at the start of 2007 on the Maserati Quattroporte’s automatic gearbox versions at the beginning of the year. The basic technical options for these new engines have been designed to ensure high specific power and rapid rise and fall in engine revs typical of competition engines, but with particular attention to fuel consumption, smooth running and silent operation. The V8 adopted for the Maserati GranTurismo has been especially fine tuned compared to the engine fitted to the Quattroporte’s automatic versions in order to enhance its responsiveness to the throttle controls. In this configuration it delivers maximum power of 405 HP at 7,100 revs (specific power of 96.4 HP/Liter) and maximum torque of 460 Nm at 4,750 revs, of which 75% is already available at 2,500 revs. Compact and light (180Kg), the short stroke engine (bore 92 mm – stroke 79.8 mm) incorporates a crankcase and cylinder heads (with head cover in Maserati Blue) made of aluminum silicon alloy, hardened forged steel crankshaft and 5 main bearings. The timing has twin chain-driven overhead camshafts per bank; four valves per cylinder controlled by hydraulic caps. The camshafts on the intake side are fitted with a low pressure continuous phase variator, with complete actuation times of less than 0.15 seconds. The lubrication system features a wet sump where the engine oil is collected in a sump integral with the crankcase and circulated by a single oil bath pump. This solution replaces the dry sump fitted on the previous family of engines, reducing the number of pumps and resulting in a noticeable reduction in operating noise to the benefit of acoustic comfort on board. The ignition and injection systems are integrated, with features that detect operating malfunctions within the engine control system and ensure that emission control regulations are met. The electronic control units (ECU) dialogue with the other systems through a CAN line (Controlled Area Network) to optimize engine management. The accelerator is electronic drive by wire, with a particularly driven operating logic: small angles or pressure on the accelerator pedal correspond to more than proportional throttle opening angles which translates into an immediate response to even the slightest accelerator pressure: for example, 40% of pressure on the accelerator pedal is the equivalent of 70% of throttle valve opening, which increases up to 100% in Sport mode (selected through the Sport button). The V8 is connected to a stainless steel exhaust system which uses metallic catalyzers rather than those made of ceramic material: the use of this racing-derived technology means that the density of the cells can be reduced which translates into a reduction in the section resistant to the flow of gases and hence less exhaust backpressure; this means that the Maserati customer can get behind the wheel of a car that meets the most stringent anti-pollution laws, without having to compromise in terms of performance. The exhaust system on the Maserati GranTurismo has also been designed to thrill the driver with its distinctive resonance which, although never intrusive inside or outside the cabin, can provide the enthusiast with a deep feisty growl, at times metallic in tone, issuing from the four attractive large-section chrome tailpipes.

Driving Emotion – Automatic transmission with hydraulic torque converter

The new 6-speed automatic transmission (ZF 6HP26) has been designed to offer smooth and easy driving, without changing the sporty behavior of the Maserati V8. The new hydraulic transmission exalts the Maserati V8 into the low/medium range, and does not limit the power at high revs, allowing really sporty gear changes up to 7,200 revs (a limit not achieved by the other cars in the target segment). The ratios have been chosen so as to allow the Maserati GranTurismo to obtain excellent acceleration times (0-100 Km/h in 5.2 seconds) and at the same time to reduce fuel consumption and interior noise levels at high speeds. The automatic transmission is fitted with auto-adaptive control which adapts the type of change to driving style and driving conditions: the driver can choose from four different operating modes: Auto Normal, Auto Sport (selected using the Sport button), Low Grip/Auto Ice (selected through the Ice button) and Manual (selected by moving the selector lever from “D� to the special track). There are two different types of change for each of the Auto Normal and Auto Sport driving modes. These are selected automatically by the transmission/engine control system based on the driver’s style of driving (detected through the accelerator pedal and lateral and longitudinal acceleration intensity) and the road gradient. Auto Normal Mode:

• With normal driving style (low lateral and longitudinal acceleration) the gear-change maps are set to obtain maximum traveling comfort. Changing to a higher gear is required as soon as possible in order to obtain the lowest level of vibrations and acoustic return from the engine. The gear shifts are managed so that comfort is not put at risk.
• With sporty driving style: if a sportier driving style is recognized in Auto Normal mode the “UPâ€ÂÂÂ� shifts are moved to a higher number of engine revs; this reduces the number of changes and makes available more engine torque which reduces the need to shift up a gear.

Auto Sport Mode:

• With a normal driving style with no lateral and/or longitudinal accelerations a lower gear is engaged than in the corresponding Auto Normal situation; this makes the transmission feel sportier, with only the slightest deterioration in acoustic comfort.
• With a sporty driving style the gear shifts are moved to much higher engine speeds and the changes induced by braking are calibrated to guarantee the lowest gear before a bend so as to maximize control going into the bend and engine torque on leaving it. This mode is designed for high speed driving conditions or on highly driven roads with a lot of bends.

As well as changing the gear shift logic, selecting the Sport button also activates the sport mode for:

• Stability control operation (MSP)
• Electronic control suspension setting (Skyhook), available on request

When in Auto mode, the driver can shift quickly (for example to overtake quickly) by changing temporarily to manual mode by operating the steering wheel paddles; the transmission control system recognizes the driving condition, carries out the gear change requested and then returns to automatic mode. Auto Ice Mode:

• When the driver requests the ICE mode Sport mode is deactivated automatically (if it was on) and the stability control restored (if previously deactivated); first gear is not engaged to reduce the maximum torque at the wheel and gear changes can take place at a maximum of 3,000 engine revs.

Manual Mode:

• Manual Mode is available for maximum driving enjoyment and can be selected by moving the gear lever from “Dâ€ÂÂÂ� to the “+â€ÂÂÂ�/â€ÂÂÂ�-“ selector track.
• In this case the gears are selected directly by the driver in sequence either through the gear shift lever or steering wheel paddles (Active Shifting) integral with the steering column.

When the driver users the gear lever he will find himself acting like the Maserati racing driver in the cockpit of the MC12: pulling the lever towards himself, the driver will shift up, pushing it away will select a lower ratio, following the body’s movements in acceleration and braking. The driver can at any time change from using the lever to the steering wheel paddles (leaving the gear lever in the “+�/�-“ track). The steering wheel paddles adopted by Maserati differ from other systems used by its competitors due to their elongated form and ergonomic position (integral with the steering column); using the gear shift paddles allows the driver to keep his hands on the wheel: gearshifts take place with a simple flick of the fingers, which ensures greater safety, particularly on very winding roads, but also greater driving enjoyment. In order to ensure driving safety and maintain mechanical reliability Manual Mode automatically changes to the next gear when maximum engine revs are reached and at the same time automatically shifts to avoid under-running. The electronic kick-down may be activated at any time by pressing the throttle right down either in Auto or Manual mode so that it is always possible to easily disengage in situations requiring maximum engine response.