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Maserati Quattroporte Gains New Performance Flagship
The new Quattroporte Sport GT S has arrived in Australia, providing Maserati’s luxury performance saloon with a new flagship model that offers enhanced performance, a more aggressive chassis and gearbox and the unmistakable sound of a race track bred engine, matched by subtle changes to a body. “Maserati has a unique record on and off the race track for setting benchmarks for design, styling and performance that the rest of the industry has then followed,” says Edward Butler, General Manager of Maserati in Australia and New Zealand. “The Quattroporte is clearly one of the standard setters. It has captured not just the attention of car buyers, making it the most successful car that Maserati has produced, it has also set a benchmark for an exclusive performance saloon with an effortless blend of abilities, something other car makers are now rushing to emulate. But as the new Sport GT S demonstrates, Maserati is not prepared to stand still, it is simply not in the company’s 'DNA', and so the Sport GT S lifts the benchmark – again.” The new Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S is the third variant in the new Maserati Quattroporte range, which starts with the Quattroporte 4.2 litre, followed by the Quattroporte S with the 4.7 litre engine and the range is now topped by the Sport GT S with a more powerful version of the 4.7 litre engine matched to a technical and equipment package producing the fastest, most aggressive Quattroporte to leave Maserati’s Modena factory in Italy. With a recommended price not including statutory charges and delivery of $338,990, the new Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S is now the flagship model for the Maserati range in Australia. Compared to the Quattroporte S, top speed is lifted from 280 km/h to 285 km/h and the 0-100 km/h time is trimmed from 5.2 seconds to 5.1 seconds. But these figures are only part of the story of how Maserati has produced a luxury saloon that has the driving abilities of a super car. Maserati has revised the mapping of the V8 4.7 litre engine, with power increased to 323 kW at 7,000 rpm. In Sport mode valves open in the exhaust system to reduce back-pressure increasing maximum available power. These valves not only release more power – they also enable the Maserati V8 to provide a throaty roar at low engine speeds and full symphonic sound of a genuine sports car at higher rpm. The launch of the Quattroporte Sport GT S debuts MC-Auto Shift, the closest an automatic transmission has come to offering instant response of sequential manual, yet maintain seamless smooth gearshifts when a 'neck-snapping' response is not required. This has been achieved via a thorough redesign of the transmission operating software and providing the driver with features not available on other Quattroporte variants. In "MANUAL MODE" the driver controls gear shifts directly, and changes are permitted up to the red line on the rev-counter. For the most enjoyable, highest-performance driving experience, an electronic gear shift indicator in the middle of the dashboard tells the driver when it is the ideal timing of the gear change; this system, which enhances the pleasure and satisfaction of the driving experience when truly putting the car through its paces, is complemented by “Trofeo” style extra-long paddles behind the steering-wheel, ergonomically shaped for easier gear changes on the most demanding roads. In AUTO SPORT mode, the gear shift control software activates the MC Start Strategy function. This function allows controlled starts enabling the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.1 seconds, instead of 5.3 seconds. MANUAL SPORT and AUTO SPORT modes both provide electronic heel and toeing during down-shifts; this, combined with the Quattroporte Sport GT S’s other characteristics, make this saloon car capable of unprecedented driver involvement in its unique performance.
The Quattroporte Sport GT S is fitted with the single-setting racing-style suspension system featuring single-rate dampers, stiffer springs and lower ride height that has been developed to enhance the car's handling and it makes its steering sensitive and responsive. The additional stiffening of the suspension by 30 per cent at the front and 10 per cent at the rear, together with a reduction in ground clearance of 10 mm on the front and 25 mm on the rear axle respectively, provides a substantial reduction in load transfers and more effective traction control during direction changes. The Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S’s weight distribution is unique in its category with a slight bias towards the rear end (49% front and 51% rear). This split transforms the saloon into a car where performance is favoured and rewards the driver with its superb handling. This set-up was achieved by shifting the engine behind the front axle to maximise traction and acceleration while also making the car stable and perfectly balanced. The new Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S comes with a high performance braking system developed by Brembo. The 360 mm brake discs benefit from dual-cast technology: cast iron for the braking surface and an aluminium hub. This set-up takes advantage of the consistent performance of cast iron at high temperatures and from the light weight aluminium. The six-piston callipers, of different diameters, are in a single aluminium block. These keep their shape better than two piece calliper sets and offer unbeatable stopping power. The system is completed by the ABS, that stops the wheels locking under braking, and EBD, that distributes the braking force between the front and the rear axles; both systems are integrated into the Maserati Stability Programme (MSP). This solution offers excellent performance both in terms of stopping distance and resistance to brake fade, even under intense use. The Quattroporte Sport GT S’s brakes are always prompt in responding and live up to the standards you would expect from a Maserati saloon. Subtle changes have also been made to the appearance of the Quattroporte for its new performance range-topping position as the Sport GT S. The deeper set grille is fitted to the front bumper, and is framed by the new fog lights and air intakes that have been enlarged to cope with the more powerful engine. The combination of the redesigned bumper and the new grille bestow the front end of the car with an immediate aggressive visual impact. The front light cluster has also been redesigned and features a titanium finish. This underlines the more aggressive Quattroporte Sport GT S, a feeling reinforced by its xenon headlights and LED indicators. Turning to the body work, the new sweeping wing mirrors are more aerodynamic. The shape of the body below the doors lends the new model a more purposeful look. In profile, the car’s lowered stance is easily appreciated: 10 mm at the front and 25 mm at the rear. These few millimetres make all the difference. The car appears poised as if on the starting blocks, ready for action with its racier set-up perfectly complementing the new 323 kW power unit. This car exudes speed even when it is stationary. The Quattroporte Sport GT S comes with two new types of 20" rims: Multi Trident rims in light aluminium alloy as an option and seven-spoke light alloy rims that have undergone the 'Dark Chrome' treatment. The most sporty model in the Quattroporte range clearly proclaims its character through the style of its interior, using new materials and equipment. The seats, which are state of the art in terms of ergonomics and comfort, have a stylised M for Maserati on the backs. The central sections of the seats are upholstered in perforated Alcantara, for optimal breathability and a firm support during hard cornering; Alcantara is also used on the side panels, the front armrest, the steering-wheel and the gear lever knob. The interior finishes on this version are a celebration of technology and craftsmanship. The material used is the groundbreaking TitanTex, an ultra-lightweight aluminium-coated titanium fibre fabric, made even more special by a specific processing, which gives the interior a high-tech, high-performance look, as well as a shinier, more three-dimensional overall appearance. The steering paddles, integral with the steering column, have a decorative chromed finish that gives their edges definition: they are also longer in shape, to ensure a good grip even when the steering wheel is on a tight lock. The interior finishes are completed by the exclusive addition of the name of the model in relief on the dashboard. The optional aluminium pedals are specially designed for racing-style driving, they provide outstanding grip when the brake and accelerator are depressed and released in quick succession, complete the interior. Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S Technical Specifications
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