20th January, 2009

The new Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S has made its worldwide première at the 2009 Detroit Motor Show in USA.

Conceived and developed as “a real driving machine in the guise of a luxury sedan”, the Quattroporte Sport GT S is the ultimate expression of sportiness in Maserati’s Quattroporte range.

The technical changes to the new Quattroporte Sport GT S are in key four areas:
- The mapping of the 4.7 litre V8 engine, with power increased to 323 kW
- The gearshift management software, with new features designed to increase driving enjoyment
- The front and rear suspension system featuring single-rate dampers, stiffer springs and lower ride height
- The sport exhaust controlled by pneumatic valves for a deep, throaty and captivating sound.

The Quattroporte Sport GT S also benefits from interior and exterior changes to highlight its new, aggressive 'nature':
- The new black grille with concave vertical fins featuring the Trident logo with red accents, typical of the sportier versions of Maserati models
- The new headlights, in metallic titanium finish
- The new M-design seats with perforated Alcantara® and leather upholstery.
- The standard trim in Titantex, a “titanium coloured” composite material.

Australian market pricing for the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S will be announced when it is launched locally in the third quarter of 2009.

Celebrating Maserati's North American Motor Sport Success

In 1939 and 1940, long before any foreign brands were established in the United States, Maserati took the chequered flag at one of the world's most famous races, the Indianapolis 500. That car was a Modena-made 8CTF single-seater bearing the flamboyant name of “Boyle Special”, driven by Wilbur Shaw. Now, to mark the 70th anniversary of Maserati’s first win at Indianapolis, the Boyle Special is on display at Maserati’s exhibit at the 2009 Detroit Motor Show (North American International Auto Show - NAIAS) as a link to the newest and fastest of its products: the new Quattroporte Sport GT S.

The race track is where the name Maserati first became enduring and where the company continues to draw its central philosophy: a well balanced car capable of perfect feedback to the driver. The race track also continues to be the stage where Maserati collects international trophies in steady succession – with both Drivers and Teams FIA GT titles clinched in 2008 by Maserati’s MC12 to bring to 10 the total of FIA international titles the Maserati MC12 has collected over the last four racing seasons, primarily courtesy of drivers Andrea Bertolini and Michael Bartels (champions in 2006 and 2008) and the Vitaphone Racing Team (four consecutive titles from 2005 through 2008).

In the course of the 2008 racing season Maserati clinched its third win in four years at the legendary 24-Hours of Spa race, placing three MC12s in the first four positions of the final standing. The triumph in Belgium is the ultimate evidence of Maserati’s reliability that originates on the race track but translates into the Maserati’s product range.

The ten international trophies collected in the FIA GT championship since 2005 at the wheel of a Maserati MC12 are:
2 Manufacturers Cup in 2005 and 2007
3 Drivers titles (Bertolini-Bartels in 2006, Thomas Biagi in 2007, Bertolini-Bartels in 2008)
4 Teams titles (since 2005 with no interruption, always with the Vitaphone Racing Team)
1 Citation Cup in 2007 with the amateur driver Ben Aucott

MC Sport Line Customisation Programme

Focusing on its racing vocation and fresh from its latest international triumph in the FIA GT championship, Maserati has developed a special series of new options named “MC Sport Line”, which made its worldwide debut at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy in early December 2008. The new contents of the MC Sport Line add to Maserati’s already extensive range of personalised features on offer. The MC Sport Line is designed to enhance the sporty DNA of Maserati vehicles for those customers who like to display their passion for racing through a dynamic look and a choice of technical solutions that increase the driving fun without compromises.

The name “MC Sport Line” sums up the experience acquired on the track by the Maserati Corse department, whose contribution to the design of the functional components has been invaluable. The world of motor racing also inspired Maserati’s designers when it came to styling, hence the extensive use of carbon fibre, very popular among racing enthusiasts thanks to its direct connection with racing competitions.

Maserati and the Environment

Maserati has implemented a development plan for the next 5 years designed to reduce consumption and CO2 emissions.

The designs of recent models have already led to considerable fuel savings. From 2005 onwards, consumption for the Quattroporte has been reduced by more than 20% overall (NEDC combined cycle). The CO2 reduction compared to the previous Gran Sport model is 10% for the GranTurismo S (NEDC extra-urban cycle).

On the new Quattroporte S with its 4.7 engine, exhaust/evaporation emissions and fuel consumption have been aligned with future Euro 5 regulations for Europe and LEV2 standards for the USA, partly thanks to the adoption of an innovative metallic matrix catalyser with perforated sheets (Turbulent PE Catalyst), which is both permeable and reliable but does not affect performance. The use of this solution has evened out the distribution of pollutant particles, reduced pressure, improved resistance to high temperatures and the transfer of gases.

Maserati also uses environmentally-friendly, easily recyclable materials made from natural substances, especially for the parts of the interior, which are most in contact with the driver and passengers (natural textile fibres, wood and leather).

Maserati cars are mindful of the “design for recycling” concept, which is centred around making cars easy to dismantle at the end of their working 'lives', so that materials can be identified and separated for re-use.

Reviewing 2008

The year 2008 was a record year for Maserati, with over 8,500 cars sold worldwide. Australia, with 201 units sold in 2008, was Maserati's 10th largest market.