Maserati is ready to sell the Quattroporte Sport GT S to the salivating potential UK buyers. The Quattroporte Sport GT S was unveiled at the 2009 North American International Motor Show in Detroit. Sporting a 4.7-litre V8 engine, the luxury sports sedan benefits from several tweaks that its makers say will sharpen its sportiness and help it in delivering a dynamic drive.
The V8 now makes maximum power of 324kW (440hp) at a wheezy 7,000rpm because of a new sports exhaust system. Peak torque is 490Nm achieved at 4,750rpm. Mated to the engine is a 6-speed automatic transmission with a manual drive mode which is controlled by the driver through paddle shifters integrated with the steering wheel. Using the MC Start Strategy launch control, the Sport GT can blast off from 0 - 100km/h in 5.1 seconds.
Two character modes are available. The one is the Normal mode in which the exhaust valves are closed. This mode redirects the exhaust gases to travel a longer path so that by the time they reach their destination they have lost much of their fizz and throaty sound. Then there is the Sport mode which is actuated through a button. This mode opens the valves that were closed under Normal mode and the gases head directly out to give the car a proper sports sound.
To put an even wider smile on the driver's face, the big Maserati offers a free throttle blip with each down-shift when using the Sport mode. Better grip and cornering ability are created by, among other things, springs whose stiffness has been increased by 30% at the front and by 10% at the rear. The Quattroporte Sport GT S runs on 20-inch wheels that come in a couple of design shapes.
Luxury features include an Alcantara and leather interior, aluminium sports pedals and a carbon fiber interior trim.
The New Quattroporte Sport GT S
Introduction
The new Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S sets another milestone in the high performance luxury saloon segment. Conceived and developed as "a real driving machine in the guise of a luxury saloon", the Quattroporte Sport GT S is the ultimate expression of Maserati's sportiness in the Quattroporte range.
The uniqueness of the car in its segment is denoted by some important features.
First of all, it is the only car in its segment that truly offers sporty handling thanks to a suspension set-up which further enhances the Quattroporte's already optimal dynamic balance. The new Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S is targeted at those customers who demand the unparalleled handling of a thoroughbred sports car even in a luxury saloon.
Secondly, it features the latest evolution of sporty automatic gear-shifting software, designed to win over committed and demanding drivers, seeking an exciting driving experience.
Last but not least, it is the only saloon in its segment with a sports exhaust which, by means of the "Sport" button, makes it possible to deploy the full power of the engine and produce a deeply enveloping and throaty exhaust note.
Powertrain overview
The technical changes to the new Quattroporte Sport GT S compared with the Quattroporte S concern four areas: the engine mapping, the gearshift management software, the suspension set-up and the exhaust system.
- V8 4.7 litre engine power is increased to 323kW (440 HP) thanks to the adoption of a sports exhaust system that allows the vehicle's power to be fully exploited;
- specific gear-shifting software with new features designed to increase driving enjoyment;
- front and rear suspension featuring single-rate dampers, stiffer springs and lower ride height;
- sports exhaust controlled by pneumatic valves for a deep, throaty and captivating sound enhanced by large twin-oval tailpipes.
Engine
The GT S engine has been developed to favour maximum power output, whilst its emission levels conform to Euro5 regulations.
Main technical data:
- Displacement: V8 4,691 cc
- Power: 323 kW (440HP) @ 7,000 rpm
- Torque: 490 Nm @ 4,750 rpm
- Max engine speed: 7,200 rpm
Exhaust system
- "NORMAL" MODE - FLAPS CLOSED
In "Normal" mode, the valves are closed forcing the exhaust gases along a long and tortuous route so that they lose their energy and are emitted with very little noise, thus ensuring on board acoustic comfort.
- "SPORT" MODE - FLAPS OPENED
When the "Sport" mode is selected, the valves which were initially closed, open up through a pneumatic control and the flow of exhaust gases are channeled down a route that leads directly to the outside, providing enthusiasts with a distinctive sound, giving voice to the deep and throaty V8.
Transmission
The new Quattroporte Sport GT S is equipped with an automatic six-speed transmission developed with sportiness in mind thanks to the employment of a new and specific gear-shifting strategy: the MC-Auto Shift. Introduced for the first time on this model, it represents the ultimate evolution of the automatic transmission software in terms of sportiness and features specific characteristics which further enhance the "driving fun".
In Sport Automatic mode the gearshift technology exalts sporty driving. Moreover in order to optimise standing starts, the automatic gearbox offers the MC Start Strategy, which functions with the MSP off. After deactivating the MSP, the driver should press and hold the brake pedal, then start pressing the accelerator and releases the brake pedal only when the optimum revs are reached (usually between 2300-2500 rpm). This fast start strategy reduces the 0 to 100 Km/h (0-62 mph) time from 5.3 seconds to 5.1 seconds.
In manual mode the gear-shift is directly controlled by the driver, allowing the engine to reach its top speed.
In order to allow the driver to find the optimum gear-shifting point, the car features a digital "rpm indicator" on the dashboard display (same as on GranTurismo S). Moreover, the paddle shifts (Active Shifting), integrated with the steering column, present an ergonomic layout (same as on GranTurismo S) with effective results in on-the-limit driving conditions on winding roads.
- "MANUAL SPORT"/"AUTO SPORT" mode:
When down-shifting, the throttle blip is matched with the SPORT-mode exhaust sound to ensure maximum driving enjoyment.
Handling
The Quattroporte Sport GT S features a sporty passive damping suspension system designed to further enhance the Quattroporte S's already state-of-the-art dynamic balance.
The new suspension set-up reduces the front and the rear ground clearance. In addition, the spring stiffness has been increased by 30% at the front and 10% at the rear.
These new features ensure:
- Greater agility when cornering and greater steering wheel responsiveness;
- more grip when exiting corners;
- improved cornering stability.
STYLE
Exterior
At the front, the sportier, more "aggressive" look of the new Quattroporte Sport GT S is expressed by the new black grille with concave vertical fins featuring the Trident logo with red accents, typical of the sportier versions of Maserati models. It is also further enhanced by the new headlights, in metallic titanium finish.
The Trident logo with red accents also features on the "C" pillar.
The side and the rear of the car feature a new "shadow line", which includes black finishing around the doors, body-coloured door handles and black twin oval exhaust pipes.
New 20" Multi Trident Silver wheels are fitted as standard, together with red brake calipers and Dual Cast technology brakes.
The exterior body colour range includes all 19 colours available for the Quattroporte and the Quattroporte S.
As an option, dark chrome 20" Multi Trident wheels are available, as well as dark chrome 20" seven-spoke wheels and the "Chrome Line", which includes chrome door line, chrome handles and chrome exhaust.
Interior
The sporty look of the interior features new M-design seats with perforated Alcantara® and leather upholstery.
The standard trim is the new Titantex: designed to further enhance the car's sporty characteristics, this "titanium coloured" composite material, provides a light coloured trim with a remarkable 3-D effect.
The dashboard trim incorporates the "Quattroporte Sport GT S" logo.
The steering wheel features the Maserati "Active Shifting" paddles (longer for improved ergonomics).
The new additional digital rpm display on the dashboard indicates when to change gears.
The interior configuration range features ten leather colours (Avorio, Sabbia, Cuoio, Marrone Corniola, Grigio Ghiaccio, Grigio Medio, Blu Navy, Rosso Corallo, Bordeaux, Nero) which can be combined with five Alcantara® shades (Beige, Pearl Beige, Grigio, Blu Trofeo, Nero).
Among the new interior options clients can choose:
- Aluminium sports pedals
- Full leather upholstery, at no extra cost.
- Carbon-fibre interior trim
- Head lining in Alcantara® in a choice of five colours: Beige, Pearl Beige, Grigio, Blu Trofeo, Nero
N20_Purge
May 19, 2009 9:35 PM
