Detroit Preview: Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S
by Sam Abuelsamid on Dec 22nd 2008 at 10:57AM 
Click above for high-res image gallery of the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S
When one thinks of the Indianapolis 500, Maserati is not a name that pops immediately to mind. However, cars wearing the famous trident logo won the 500 twice in 1939 and 1940 when legendary Wibur Shaw drove an 8C TF to victory at the "Brickyard" both years. Thankfully, even with all the bad news about automakers pulling out of the Detroit Auto Show this year, Maserati is using the occasion to celebrate the 70th anniversary of that first Indy victory with yet another variant of the Quattroporte.
The new Sport GT S has a recalibrated 4.7L V8 from the S now putting out 433 hp along with revised shift points for its transmission. This ultimate Quattroporte also gets a revised song thanks to a new exhaust system. The spring rates are stiffer and the dampers are now single rate rather than variable as on other QPs. Inside the GT S also gets the obligatory Alcantara trim to supplement the usual acres of leather. As you can see above and in our gallery of high-res images below, it still looks like a million bucks, though we poo poo the fact its missing any visual cues that would link it directly to the Indy 500, like a giant, downforce-inducing rear wing or Pace Car graphics on the doors. But maybe that's just us.
[Source: Maserati]
The new Quattroporte Sport GT S debuting at 2009 NAIAS on the 70th anniversary of Maserati first Indianapolis 500 win
Modena - December 22nd, 2008 - The new Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S sets yet another milestone in terms of sportiness in the high performance luxury sedan segment of the automotive market . 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 Maserati's sportiness in the Quattroporte range.
The technical changes to the new Quattroporte Sport GT S in respect to the Quattroporte S concern four areas:
- the mapping of the V8 4.7 litre engine, with power increased to 323kW;
- 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 sports exhaust controlled by pneumatic valves for a deep, throaty and captivating sound.
The sportier and more aggressive look is evident also in virtue of the interior's and exterior's stylistic choices:
- 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 side and rear "shadow line", which includes black finishing around the doors, body-colored door handles and black twin oval exhaust pipes,
- the new M-design seats with perforated Alcantara® and leather upholstery;
- the standard trim in Titantex, a "titanium colored" composite material.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
geo.stewart 11:04AM (12/22/2008)
the best looking 4-door available. stock or GTS
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Kumail 11:16AM (12/22/2008)
simply amazing.
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JDMlover 11:24AM (12/22/2008)
SWEEET 4 DOOR !!!!
One of the best looking along with the LS600
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mercnet 11:29AM (12/22/2008)
I hate being poor :(
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StickShift 11:30AM (12/22/2008)
"...though we poo poo the fact its missing any visual cues that would link it directly to the Indy 500, like a giant, downforce-inducing rear wing or Pace Car graphics on the doors. But maybe that's just us."
Yes, its just you.
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Auari 11:32AM (12/22/2008)
I'd take this beauty over a Rapide.
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CarbonBlack 3:59PM (12/22/2008)
Or that Lamborghini Estoque!
I actually forgot how beautiful the Quattroporte is.
Retroqqq 11:46AM (12/22/2008)
i want this car, NOW !!!
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JT 12:00PM (12/22/2008)
Hats off!
Much better looking than the car it replaces!
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Franz 12:02PM (12/22/2008)
I've always loved this car, and if I were in the market for a luxury sedan I'd get it over anything else out there.
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Noah 12:11PM (12/22/2008)
While I love the other Maserati, this one seems to have conflicting design cues that just don't work for me. VW headlights with a big ol' probiscus...nah. Though the interior is lovely.
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Corey L 12:28PM (12/22/2008)
HOT. Do want.
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Jake 12:46PM (12/22/2008)
The all new Maserati Regal
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boxerFanatic 1:02PM (12/22/2008)
HAWT.
Short of AM Rapide, this is the pinaccle of sporting sedans, even if M5 is faster, this is more sublime.
A ferrari V8 and F1 rear transaxle in an italian leather-clad sedan... wow.
Put the Challenge-style wheels on it, and paint it Blue Sera, or whatever that dark royal blue is... absolutely sublime.
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Level 1:27PM (12/22/2008)
Now this is the car I'm aiming for....have to put in more overtime lol
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AntBee 2:34PM (12/22/2008)
This car is friggin' awesome!
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Torrent 2:44PM (12/22/2008)
The sexiest sedan ever.
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Other Man 6:04PM (12/22/2008)
I LOVE LOVE LOVE the looks.
And I wouldn't buy one ... I may be shallow. I'm sorry but 433 hp for probably about 140K? No thanks. This thing will run with or maybe be slightly quicker than the new 750i/Li. Power is hardly everything, but it's a big component for me.
Just proves I'm not the typical buyer of it, I suppose.
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Kwesi 12:01AM (12/23/2008)
This is sooo hot!...sexy!....architectural perfection!
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