Click image for high-res gallery of press and live shots of this hot new Maser
We just got information about this new version of the Q-Porte, the Quattroporte Sport GT S, a couple of weeks ago and now we have a few live shots and our personal reactions to add. First off, it's really hard to even notice that this is a new Quattroporte, when there are three GranTurismos ten feet over from it. Not that the Q-Porte isn't a fine vehicle, but OMG that GT is sex on wheels. The QP is a great sedan (especially in Sport GT guise) and this new Sport GT S has a few minor but important upgrades over already improved Sport GT that should make this an even better driver's car. The problem is that there are very few exterior differences to tip you off that this is the all-new sportiest version. Or rather, they are too subtle to really notice. Not that there's anything wrong with the shape (or the details for that matter), but it's not like the jump, say, Ferrari made in taking an F430 and turning it into a Scuderia.
And in case you're wondering, the Sport GT S actually differs in a number of little ways. The programming of its 6-speed automatic gearbox has been reset for quicker responses. The car has been lowered 10mm in front and 25mm out back. It has stiffer springs and shocks. It features those new dual-cast brake discs developed with Brembo, which use cast iron and aluminum to help improve overall performance and reduce fade. It wears slightly larger rear tires (295/30-20) to improve handling and acceleration. It also features a more aggressive fascia with a black-chrome mesh front grille, body color door handles, new window trim, and twin exhaust tips at the rear too. Just a few of the more obvious (or not) things to help you identify this new sportiest Maserati.
Maserati's full release is after the jump and we've updated the gallery with live shots below.
[Source: Maserati]
We just got information about this new version of the Q-Porte, the Quattroporte Sport GT S, a couple of weeks ago and now we have a few live shots and our personal reactions to add. First off, it's really hard to even notice that this is a new Quattroporte, when there are three GranTurismos ten feet over from it. Not that the Q-Porte isn't a fine vehicle, but OMG that GT is sex on wheels. The QP is a great sedan (especially in Sport GT guise) and this new Sport GT S has a few minor but important upgrades over already improved Sport GT that should make this an even better driver's car. The problem is that there are very few exterior differences to tip you off that this is the all-new sportiest version. Or rather, they are too subtle to really notice. Not that there's anything wrong with the shape (or the details for that matter), but it's not like the jump, say, Ferrari made in taking an F430 and turning it into a Scuderia.
And in case you're wondering, the Sport GT S actually differs in a number of little ways. The programming of its 6-speed automatic gearbox has been reset for quicker responses. The car has been lowered 10mm in front and 25mm out back. It has stiffer springs and shocks. It features those new dual-cast brake discs developed with Brembo, which use cast iron and aluminum to help improve overall performance and reduce fade. It wears slightly larger rear tires (295/30-20) to improve handling and acceleration. It also features a more aggressive fascia with a black-chrome mesh front grille, body color door handles, new window trim, and twin exhaust tips at the rear too. Just a few of the more obvious (or not) things to help you identify this new sportiest Maserati.
Maserati's full release is after the jump and we've updated the gallery with live shots below.
[Source: Maserati]
PRESS RELEASE:
MASERATI QUATTROPORTE SPORT GT S
Maserati presents a world premier at the Frankfurt International Motor Show: the Quattroporte Sport GT S, the ultimate expression of the Trident's sedans' sportiness. Developed for drivers who demand the unparalleled handling of a thoroughbred sports car even in a luxury sedan, the Quattroporte Sport GT S stands out as a gratifying and thrilling driving experience.
SUSPENSION AND SET-UP
The Quattroporte Sport GT S introduces single-rate dampers that were specifically developed and calibrated to further enhance the vehicle's dynamic balance. Thanks to new stiffer springs and dampers the car's set-up was lowered by 10 mm in front and 25 mm in rear. This drop and greater rigidity in the suspension have led to a noticeable reduction in the roll and pitch angles, and the weight transfer and a slight increase in lateral acceleration. In everyday driving, this translates into limited movements in the body of the car, with significant improvements in terms of agility, as well as travel speed through and traction coming out of curves.
Set-up characteristics have been optimised by the implementation of tyres with a revised mix and structure; the rear tyres have a larger ground footprint, which now measures 295/30 – R20 in place of the standard 285/30 – R20.
The new tyres further improve road holding and ensure greater precision and steering responsiveness.
BRAKING SYSTEM
The Quattroporte Sport GT S debuts the innovative dual-cast brake disc developed in collaboration with Brembo.
The structure of the dual-cast brake disc - made of two materials, cast iron and aluminium - helps optimise the performance of the braking system, improving the feeling at the pedal and increasing resistance to fade even at the highest temperatures.
Differently from traditional cast iron discs, the dual-cast disc consists of a cast-iron braking surface and an aluminium hat, making it possible to combine the advantages of heat-resistance provided by cast iron with the lightweight properties of aluminium. In particular, the use of aluminium, which is generally 20% lighter than cast iron, made it possible to increase the diameter of the front discs - 360 mm - while maintaining the same weight.
In addition to improving the performance of the braking system and reducing the fading effect, other advantages created by the dual-casting of these two materials include greater driving comfort, less wear on the discs and pads, and better component performance.
The braking system in the Quattroporte Sport GT S also features new mono-block six-piston aluminium front brake calipers, ABS, which prevents the wheels from locking up when braking, and EBD for better distribution of braking force between the front and rear wheels, both integrated with MSP stability control.
EXTERIORS
Visually, the Quattroporte Sport GT S stands out from other models for its more aggressive look , which underlines the vehicle's sporty nature and dynamic flair. The black-chrome mesh grille, a characteristic element of sporty Maseratis, is combined with a series of small but significant aesthetic elements: the side window trims and the two double exhaust pipes are also black, whilst door handles are in the same colour of the body of the car.
The exterior outfitting of the Quattroporte Sport GT S is completed by the Dark-Chrome paint on the 20", seven-spoke rims, giving the car a character that is unique in the Quattroporte range and making this vehicle instantly recognisable.
The colour of the rims stands out against the brake calipers, which come standard in red, and are also available in five other colours as an optional: Black, Silver, Titanium, Blue and Yellow.
INTERIORS
The special configuration of the cabin, ground-breaking in its combination of elegance and sportiness, celebrates the sporty bent of the Quattroporte Sport GT S through the meticulous selection of materials used in this latest evolution of the Maserati flagship.
The interior finish also reflect the exclusivity of this model, which features carbon-fibre with aluminium treads that inject radiance and depth to all interior surfaces. Carbon-fibre finishing enriches the mouldings, the centre dashboard, and the gear shift knob. The pedals are lightweight aluminium, as found in competition vehicles. The new front seats offer an advanced level of lateral containment and are distinguished by the new design of the seat and backrest. Thanks to a more cosseting shape, they ensure an excellent level of comfort as well as support for the upper body and legs in sporty driving.
Interiors of the Quattroporte Sport GT S combine the traditional Poltrona Frau leather and Alcantara, two materials that represent the best expression of Italian craftsmanship. The central sections of the seats, door panels, and the rim of the sports steering wheel are upholstered in Alcantara, available in five colours (Beige, Pearl beige, Grigio, Nero, and Blu Trofeo), offering customers more ways to personalise the vehicle and giving the interior a sporty touch. The new colour Rosso Corallo has also joined the range of leather options.
ENGINE – 400 HP V8
The normally aspirated 4244 cc, 90° V8 engine is compact and light, and promptly and gradually delivers 400 hp (295 kW) at 7000 rpm, equal to a specific power of 95.2 hp/litre; the maximum torque is 460 Nm at 4250 rpm.
Distribution is by four overhead camshafts, two per bank, chain driven, with four valves per cylinder controlled by hydraulic tappets. The aspirated camshafts, with a continuous-phase high-pressure speed gear-change, have a characteristic profile which optimizes power delivery even at low engine speeds. The electronically-controlled accelerator features "Drive by Wire", with no mechanical connections. The placement of the V8 engine behind the front axle ensures perfect distribution of weight between the front and rear axles (49% / 51%), resulting in enormous benefits in terms of the vehicle's dynamic responsiveness.
TRANSMISSION
The Quattroporte Sport GT S features the ZF six-gear automatic transmission. The state of the art collaboration between Maserati and ZF has given rise to a hydraulic transmission that showcases the progression of the V8 at low-medium engine speeds without limiting the engine power, allowing changes at speeds up to 7200 rpm. This results in top-level performance: top speed of 270 Km/h, and acceleration of 0-100 Km/h in 5.6 sec.
In manual mode the transmission can be controlled using the knob on the central tunnel or with the paddles on the steering wheel, as in competition vehicles. Pressing the Sport button will also make all engine speeds available to the driver.
MASERATI QUATTROPORTE SPORT GT S - DATA SHEET
Dimensions and weight
Length x Width x Height: 5052 mm x 1895 mm x 1425 mm
Wheelbase: 3064 mm
Front track: 1582 mm
Rear track: 1595 mm
Front overhang: 856 mm
Rear overhang: 1132 mm
Turning circle: 12.3 m
Trunk capacity: 450 l
Fuel tank capacity: 90 l
Dry weight: 1880 kg*
Road-ready weight: 1990 kg*
Tyres
Front: 245/35-R20
Rear: 295/30-R20
Brakes
Four drilled and self-ventilated brake discs .
Discs: front 360 x 32 mm with dual-cast technology; rear 330 x 28 mm.
Brake calipers: front mono-block six-piston aluminium calipers; 4-piston rear.
Suspension
Deformable quadrilateral front and rear with single-rate dampers .
Engine
Number and arrangement of cylinders: 90° V8
Displacement: 4244 cc
Bore: 92 mm
Stroke: 79.8 mm
Compression ratio: 11:1
Maximum power: 295 kW (400 HP)
Max. power speed: 7000 rpm
Maximum torque: 460 Nm (47 kgm)
Max. torque speed: 4250 rpm
Performance
Top speed: 270 km/h
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h: 5.6 s
Consumption (combined cycle): 14,7 l/100 km
CO2 Emissions (combined cycle): 345 g/km
* European Market Version
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