Home | News | Road Tests Maserati Releases GranTurismo S Automatic Locally $328,500 (recommended price not including statutory charges and delivery) Home > News > Maserati 8th June, 2009 Maserati has blended the effortless luxury and refinement of the Maserati GranTurismo with the hard-edged performance and aggression of the 4.7 litre GranTurismo S to produce the Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic, which is now on sale in Australia. Fitted with the same 323 kW 4.7 litre engine as the range topping Maserati GranTurismo S, the new automatic variant shares the same 295 km/h top speed and is only fractionally slower to 100 km/h, despite replacing the MC Supershift sequential manual gearbox with an automatic gearbox. This feat of performance engineering has been achieved with a software package developed specifically for the characteristics of Maserati’s V8 engine, minimising power transmission loss and enabling gears to be held right to the 7,200 rpm red line. This combination endows the Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic with its own, distinct character, something that is further enhanced by exterior changes that mark it apart from the GranTurismo 4.2 litre and the GranTurismo S. The new under-door side-skirts feature a prominent shape, which enhances the dynamism of its profile and the new 20" wheels with the brand new "Trident" design featuring spokes that distinctly reflect the Trident shape provide a mix of strength and elegance. A further enriched equipment increases the on-board pleasure for the driver and the passengers, thanks to the Bluetooth® Technology, offered as standard, and the Ipod® interface, available upon request, which complete the Maserati Multi Media System. With a recommended price not including statutory charges and delivery of $328,500 the new Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic compliments the GranTurimso 4.2 and the range-topping GranTurimso S with the MC Supershift gearbox. The Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic is now available in Australia “The Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic is quite possibly the ultimate expression of a Maserati coupe as it brings together for the first time all the facets of the unique Maserati legend,” says Edward Butler, General Manager for Maserati in Australia and New Zealand using three hands to illustrate the point. “On one hand it has the sumptuous luxury which, thanks to the Maserati personalisation programme, means that every Maserati is unique to its owner. On the other it is within a hair’s breadth of offering the aggressive performance of the fastest production Maserati of all time both in terms of straight line performance and chassis response. This combination has been made possible by a unique automatic gearbox that offers the seamless shifting required for a luxury Maserati and, on the other hand, the instantaneous response for a performance Maserati.” “Given its breadth of abilities, a level of exclusivity that is unrivalled and that it is the pinnacle of the Maserati legend, we are certain that it will account for the majority of GranTurismos sold in Australia,” adds Mr Butler. Engine The Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic is driven by an eight cylinder, 4,691 cc 90 degree v-shaped engine that develops 323 kW at 7,000 rpm and produces a maximum torque of 490 Nm at 4,750 rpm. The timing is provided by two overhead camshafts per bank and four valves per cylinder controlled by hydraulic tappets. The overhead camshafts on the aspirated side are controlled by a low pressure, continual phase variator with actuation times of less than 0.15 seconds. The increased power and torque is due to the higher capacity and the exhaust valves controlled by the driver. When on the move and at over 3,000 rpm, pressing the ‘Sport’ button on the dashboard opens the valves to allow the exhaust gases to escape more quickly; the lower back-pressure means the engine reaches a peak power output of 323 kW. Self-Catering Holiday Accommodation in Denmark, WA ..... more Gearbox The grand touring feeling of the GranTurismo S Automatic shines through with the six-speed automatic transmission. The effect of the self-adapting automatic gearbox is especially felt at low to medium revs but does not affect power delivery higher up the rev range and allows changes to be made until 7,200 rpm, a rate that no other automatic gearbox in the world can equal claim Maserati. There are four function modes: Auto Normal is for comfortable cruising, Auto Sport is for those who like a sportier response, Auto ICE is for low grip conditions and then there is Manual mode. In manual, it is the driver who chooses when to change gear via the steering wheel paddles or the gear lever. Chassis The Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic reacts brilliantly thanks to its weight distribution: 49 per cent of the car’s mass sits over the front end and 51 per cent on the rear. This set up was achieved by shifting the engine behind the front axle and it gives the driver an unparalleled sense of security in any conditions. The load-bearing chassis means greater rigidity and its high-resistance, box-steel structure allows the suspension to track every dip in the road. This enhances the car’s dynamic handling and ensures a more comfortable drive. Suspension The Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic’s handling benefits from front and rear wishbone suspension. The system’s ‘anti-dive’ and ‘anti-squat’ geometry prevents the front from dipping under braking and the rear end from squatting under acceleration. The GranTurismo S Automatic comes with the Skyhook system as standard. This technology uses shock absorbers with an aluminium body to continually adjust the damping. Skyhook automatically selects the optimal level of damping and integrates with the Maserati Stability Programme (MSP) safety system and the calibration of the car’s automatic gearbox. The result is that the car is able to adapt to the characteristics of each driver – the GranTurismo is a car that fits like a glove. Mercedes-Benz SL 600 road test ..... more The Skyhook system The electronically controlled Skyhook suspension employs dampers with an aluminium body that continually adjust the damping for an improved ride. However, the system does not penalise performance or compromise the car’s sporty nature. The Skyhook system acts by using acceleration sensors that detect movement on all four wheels and the body. A control unit processes the data it receives from the sensors, analyses the driving style and road surface and instantly adjusts the dampers accordingly via their proportional valves. Maserati’s engineers have integrated the Skyhook suspension and transmission control systems so that the GranTurismo S Automatic is able to tweak the suspension settings so that the driver feels even less movement through the chassis during gear changes. Opting for the ‘Sport’ setting results in a stiffer ride, less roll, more contained load transfer, greater agility and stability as well as allowing startling performance figures. The dedicated on-board computer reduces gear shift times by 40 per cent and Skyhook switches from controlling the ride to focusing on the set-up (body control), making the GranTurismo S Automatic easier to handle and giving it more grip. Together, the two systems combine to offer more precise, livelier gear changes. Exterior Maserati suggest that the GranTurismo S Automatic is built like an athlete. Although it maintains the purity of the original car’s lines, something echoed throughout the GranTurismo range, the Maserati coupé immediately catches the eye courtesy of the subtle aesthetic modifications it has undergone. On the GranTurismo S Automatic, new side skirts bring a more dynamic look, rendering Pininfarina’s work of art even more intriguing. The new 20” wheel rims sport a fresh design with spokes that mirror the famous Trident logo, resulting in an elegant look. The GranTurismo S Automatic continues the unique style of the GranTurismo range. A chrome Trident logo is suspended in the centre of the grille, one that features concave vertical slats. The front headlights are an aggressive addition to the protective front bumper, a stylistic element that has long distinguished Maserati coupés. In the space between the headlights is the traditional long, low bonnet. The bonnet’s classic ‘V’ shape is a feature that is echoed throughout the car. The three chrome-profiled air inlets set behind the front wheels lend the GranTurismo an even more vibrant feel. The car’s lines were designed to lead the eye fluidly over its curves, from the robust front end to the sweeping rear. Moving round the back of the GranTurismo, the oval version of the Maserati logo (known as ‘Saetta’) stands out. Alongside it is the rear light cluster, each with 96 LEDs, in a daring triangle. The wide aerodynamic diffusers sit under the bumper framing the exhaust pipes. Interior The Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic’s cabin reveals the true identity of this new coupé. Comfort levels have been improved and the luxurious touches taken up a notch. There is a sumptuous feel to the interior, one that offers an even wider range of personalisation options. The driver and passengers will enjoy being in a refined cabin that has been crafted using time-honoured techniques. Poltrona Frau® supply the supple leather found inside. This superbly finished leather is the result of months of attentive treatment. The sports profile front seats are roomy and can be controlled electronically while the ‘Easy Entry’ system shifts both seats to make getting in hassle free. All in all, it is a spacious and sophisticated place to be. The advanced Bose Surround Sound® audio system adds to the elevated quality of life on board. The eleven speakers have been designed especially for the car’s interior and deliver concert hall levels of performance. Personalisation For the GranTurismo range, Maserati offers a personalisation programme that is unlike any other in the world. This programme has been developed with the objective of allowing each client to pick a 'made-to-measure' GranTurismo S Automatic, a car that is the maximum expression of sports luxury. The customer can opt for one of ten colours of Poltrona Frau leather, thirteen possible colours for the stitching, seven for the carpets (that include two new colours in Red and Bordeaux) and three types of prestigious wood to choose from (Walnut, Rosewood or the new polished Wengè); a variety that will satisfy even the most demanding client and render the cabin of any Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic a one-off. Added to these are five lacquer finishes or Smoked Quarz and Alu Grey. Both wheel rim designs come in two tints and there is a choice of six colours for the brake callipers. Maserati GranTurismo S Automatic Technical Information ENGINE Displacement: 4,691 cc Compression ratio: 11.16:1 Maximum power output: 323 kW (440 bhp) RPM at maximum power: 7,000 rpm Maximum torque: 490 Nm (50 kgm) RPM at maximum torque: 4,750 rpm Max engine speed: 7,250 rpm   SIZE AND WEIGHT Length: 4,881 mm Width (with side mirrors): 2,056 mm Height: 1,353 mm Wheelbase: 2,942 mm Curb weight: 1,880 kg Boot capacity: 260 litres Fuel tank capacity: 86 litres Weight distribution: 49% front / 51% rear Turning circle: 12.3 metres   PERFORMANCE Top speed: 295 km/h 0-100 km/h: 5.0 s 0-400 m: 13.2 s 0-1,000 m: 23.3 s   CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS Fuel Consumption (urban cycle) 23.2 l/100 Km Fuel Consumption (extra urban cycle) 10.6 l/100 Km Fuel Consumption (combined cycle) 15.2 l/100 Km CO2 emissions (combined cycle) 354 (g/km) Hear Chris Goodsell Talk Motoring On Radio & Internet ..... more More Maserati News ..... here About | Car Clubs | Home | News | Road Ramblings | Road Tests | Subscribe | Top Drive ©   2009   All rights reserved.   Next Car Pty. 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