Maserati GranTurismo: In Depth

Press Release

Driving Emotion – Chassis

Bodywork

The new bearing body design boasts a construction with a mix of materials and technologies for weight optimization: the structural part is made of steel, the bonnet and bumper front reinforcement member of aluminum, whilst the boot is constructed in thermosetting plastic material (Sheet Molding Compound, SMC, technology). The boot consists of a single skin which incorporates the aerodynamic lip; SMC technology not only keeps the component weight down and is more resistant to minor damage and corrosion, it also has left the designer more room to apply his creative flair. The high rigidity values allow the suspensions to work with excellent precision to the benefit of dynamic handling, whilst also reducing vibration and unwanted movements of the internal components. This optimizes on-board comfort over any road surface condition.

Frame

The frame of the Maserati GranTurismo derives from the Quattroporte with reduced wheelbase and rear overhang. Constructed in high-strength steel box sections, it incorporates a tubular structure in the rear to support the suspensions and differential and a front section to support the suspensions and engine.

Transmission

What makes the Maserati GranTurismo such fun to drive, responsive to commands and safe in every driving condition is a balanced weight distribution with a slightly greater load on the rear axle (49% front - 51% rear). This lay-out, which has been achieved by moving the engine back behind the front axle, translates in everyday driving into uncomplicated and predictable performance which makes driving so easy, maximizes traction when accelerating (particularly on low grip surfaces) and road holding (lateral acceleration 1g). It also results in exceptionally stable and balanced car performance even during emergency maneuvers. The lay-out of the transmission is completed with the hydraulic transmission in the front in unit with the engine, drive shaft articulated into two sections which transmits the drive to the wheels through a self-locking differential (with lock percentages: 25% in traction, 45% in release) which limits slip and always ensures adequate traction control.

Steering

Steering responsiveness and precision also contribute to driving pleasure, comfort and safety, as well as to the sensation felt by the driver. The electronic servo-system ensures that power steering action is always related to driving speed, so that there is always the right sensation when driving at high speeds and a light and comfortable feel when maneuvering. The manually adjustable steering column may be requested with electric adjustment in combination with the seat comfort pack (also including memories and heating). Steering diameter (from pavement to pavement): 10,7 m

Suspension

The chassis of the Maserati GranTurismo features front and rear wishbone suspensions with forged aluminum hubs and arms in order to ensure a reduction in the unhung masses. The suspensions layout benefits from “Antidive� (prevents the front pitching down when braking) and “Antisquat� geometry (prevents the rear pitching down when accelerating). The fixed rate standard steel dampers feature damping that represents the right compromise between handling and on-board comfort. For anyone unwilling to make compromises the Maserati GranTurismo may be fitted on request with aluminum gas dampers which use the Skyhook system for automatic continuous damping control and thus ensure that any surface unevenness is absorbed and the highest level of comfort guaranteed without penalizing performance and sportiness. The Skyhook system acts through acceleration sensors which record the movements of each wheel and the car body; the control unit processes this information and interprets the driving and road surface conditions and immediately adjusts the setting of the dampers by acting on the proportional valve of each damper. A further advantage for the customer is that he can adapt the car’s dynamic behavior to his own driving style and conditions of the moment choosing from two different settings, Normal and Sport (selected through the Sport button). The first mode is characterized by ultra-soft damping, which allows travel with the highest level of driving comfort; at the driver’s discretion, pressing the Sport button gives a harder ride setting, with more reduced roll angles and load transfers, which enhances the agility and stability of the car body. The dynamic performance of the Maserati GranTurismo is assisted by the Maserati Stability Program (MSP), specially developed by Maserati to optimize driving dynamics and safety. The system relies on a set of sensors which can pick up any anomalies in the car’s ideal dynamic behavior and acts on brakes and engine to stabilize the car and restore the correct behavior. The Maserati Stability Program (MSP) performs the following functions:

• when it recognizes the tendency to side-skid, it reduces the torque, activates the brakes and stabilizes the car in milliseconds (MSP)
• it prevents the wheels locking during braking (ABS)
• it divides the braking force between the front and rear axles preventing the rear wheels locking (EBD)
• it prevents the driving wheels skidding by improving traction on low-grip surfaces (ASR)
• again on low-grip surfaces, it prevents the drive wheels locking during gear shifts (MSR).

The driver can opt for the sport mode also in the case of MSP: in normal conditions the MSP intervenes both on engine torque and brakes; when the Sport button is pressed the MSP is less invasive and favors a much sportier driving style but without penalizing safety functions. In fact, the operating threshold is shifted upwards and acts primarily on the brakes without cutting engine power.

Wheels and tires

The features of the car that make it ideal for everyday use but also emphasize its sporty nature are shown clearly by the sizes chosen for the rims and wheels, a perfect combination of road holding and comfort. In the standard configuration the Maserati GranTurismo is fitted with 19� aluminum rims with mixed-size front and rear tires: the rear tires have a larger tread pattern than the front ones, so that the power is better released to the ground. 19� diameter wheels in light alloy; front 8.5J x 19, H2 profile, rear 10.5J x 19 H2 profile. Front tires 245/40 R19, rear 285/40 R19. A sportier 20� version is also available which, against a slight reduction in comfort, increases agility and responsiveness to steering maneuvers due to a reduced drift angle. It also sports a look inspired by the wheels on the Birdcage 75th which emphasizes the power of the mechanics. Optional: 20� diameter wheels in light alloy; front 8.5J x 20, H2 profile rear 10.5J x 20 H2 profile. Tires front 245/35 R20, rear 285/35 R20.

Braking System

The Brembo braking system installed on the Maserati GranTurismo consists of 4 ventilated discs (front Ø 330 mm x 32 mm, rear Ø 330 mm x 28 mm) with 4-piston calipers at the front and rear. The brake calipers are black (available on request in other colors as well), whilst the discs feature 48 drillings (Ø 4 mm) (to eliminate noise when braking) which not only guarantee a sporty look but also have important benefits in terms of braking readiness and efficiency: the holes prevent a film of surface water forming when it rains and revitalize the pad at each braking action. The Maserati Gran Turismo guarantees tip-top performance both in terms of stopping distances and resistance to fatigue in the most challenging use, not only when accelerating but also when braking. It guarantees in all situations the immediacy of response and level of safety that one expects from a true sports car. Stopping distance: 100 km/h - 0: 35 m
Average deceleration in g: 1.24 g At active safety level the system includes ABS, which prevents the wheels locking during braking, and EBD, for optimizing distribution of the braking force between front and back, both integrated by the MSP (Maserati Stability Program). To aid the driver on hill starts the Maserati GranTurismo benefits from the “Hill Holder� device which, on an incline, holds the car braked for a few seconds, so that the driver has time to move his foot from the brake pedal to the throttle without the car moving. The Maserati GranTurismo is equipped with an Electric Park Brake (EPB) which is engaged simply by actuating an electrical control on the center tunnel which takes the place of the conventional mechanical lever. This system, in addition to making handbrake actuation easier, means that the driver can forget all about activating/deactivating the park brake since it engages automatically when there is no engine power and deactivates when the accelerator pedal is pressed. Whenever the car has to be moved with the engine off, the automated switch may be disabled using the “Park off� button in the central portion of the dashboard. The electric parking brake also performs a safety function; in fact if necessary it can even be activated with the car moving in which case the system dialogues with the stability control program (MSP) and acts on all four wheels to brake immediately (deceleration 0.5 g), in total safety and with no loss of stability, until the control is released.